Attending the ceremony were Mr. Nguyễn Anh Tuấn – Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hưng Yên Province; Mr. Nguyễn Thái Dương – Party Secretary and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Diên Hà Commune; Mr. Nguyễn Văn Toản – representative of the hometown’s children living away from home; Mr. Bùi Văn Triệu – Head of the Fatherland Front Committee of Đan Hội Village; along with representatives of the Temple Management Board and a large number of local residents. On behalf of the VACNE, there were Dr. Nguyễn Ngọc Sinh – President of the Association and Associate Professor, PhD Trần Ngọc Hải – Vice President of the Vietnam Heritage Tree Council.

The ancient Ruối tree, over 750 years old, has a trunk circumference of 4.8 meters and is considered one of the largest and oldest trees in the northern region. The tree is located within the grounds of Đan Hội Communal House – a provincial-level cultural and historical site, where the two tutelary gods Thiên Bồng and Thiên Khôi are worshiped. The communal house also preserves many unique values, such as bronze deity genealogies and lacquered and gilded boxes containing royal decrees granted by King Tự Đức in 1880 and King Đồng Khánh in 1887. In addition, the ancient Banyan tree, over 200 years old, is called by locals “Flag-Leaf Banyan Tree,” associated with the historical event on August 19, 1945, when the Việt Minh forces hung the red flag with a yellow star on its top to celebrate the victory of the August Revolution. This is an important milestone, reflecting the patriotism and revolutionary tradition of the people of Đan Hội.

At the ceremony, Dr. Nguyễn Ngọc Sinh presented the Certificate of Recognition for the Vietnamese Heritage Tree and gave a congratulatory speech; Associate Professor, Ph.D. Trần Ngọc Hải announced the decision to recognize two trees, Ruối and Đa, in Đan Hội village as Vietnamese Heritage Trees. Joy and pride were clearly visible on the faces of delegates, locals, and visitors when Đan Hội officially had two ‘venerable trees’ honored. This is not only a symbol of the tradition of returning to one’s roots but also a shared responsibility to preserve the natural and cultural treasures that generations of ancestors have carefully passed down.

Representative of Dan Hoi village, Mr. Bui Van Trieu, expressed his gratitude to the Association and various levels of government; at the same time, he affirmed that the local community will actively preserve, care for, and promote the values of the two Vietnamese Heritage Trees, so that the trees remain lush and endure over time, contributing to the education of traditions and strengthening the spirit of solidarity within the community, building a progressively prosperous and beautiful hometown.

VACNE leaders along with local leaders and residents inaugurate the Stone Stele of the Banyan Tree - Vietnam Heritage Tree

VACNE leaders along with local leaders and residents inaugurate the Stone Stele of the Ruối Tree -  Vietnam Heritage Tree 

Image of the Ruối tree, one of the largest and oldest trees in the northern region