The heritage Banyan tree in Then Sin strengthens solidarity between ethnic groups
(VACNE) - On the afternoon of May 10, 2024, the government and people of Then Sin commune solemnly held a ceremony to announce the Decision and award the Certificate of Merit to the Banyan tree at Lo Thang village, Then Sin commune, Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province is a Vietnamese Heritage Tree.
The Banyan tree (Ficus altissima Blume) in Lo Thang village is over 500 years old, over 20m high, main trunk circumference over 10m, canopy diameter over 53m wide, roots floating above the ground, strong shape. Strong, lush foliage radiates shade. The Banyan tree is located in a prime location, about 500m from the National border belt road. People here call it "polygod tree" associated with the spiritual life of the Giay ethnic people as well as other ethnic groups living in the area.
Attending the ceremony to announce the Decision and award the Certificate of recognition of the Vietnamese Heritage Tree, there were a large number of Giay ethnic people in Lo Thang village along with Thai, H'Mong, Kinh... ethnic people in other areas, villages inside and outside the commune; fellow communes and tourists near and far. Reporters from Lai Chau province, Tam Duong district and other newspapers attended and reported on the ceremony.
Representatives of senior leaders include: Mr. Nguyen Van Bien - Director of Lai Chau Provincial Forest Protection Department; Mr. Vuong Van Thang, former secretary of Tam Duong district; Mr. Giang A Thanh, Vice Chairman of the District People's Council; Mr. Vu Xuan Thanh - Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee and representatives of a number of departments in Tam Duong district,
Outstanding teacher, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Heritage Tree Council, representing VACNE, attended the awarding of the Decision and Certificate of recognition of Vietnamese Heritage Trees to the locality.
The ceremony took place solemnly, demonstrating the solidarity among the ethnic groups living in the area, the consensus between the people, organizations and leaders of the Party, government and unions at all levels. Demonstrate good gratitude to previous generations, remember the source when drinking water, protect the environment and develop a green, sustainable economy in highland communes of Lai Chau province.
Some pictures of the ceremony:
![A group of people holding pink and white feathersDescription automatically generated](https://vacne.org.vn/Images/image/Nam%202024/Thang%205-2024/LVD%20CDS%20Then%20Sin%20-%20Lai%20Chau%20(1).jpg)
![A group of women dancing on a stageDescription automatically generated](https://vacne.org.vn/Images/image/Nam%202024/Thang%205-2024/LVD%20CDS%20Then%20Sin%20-%20Lai%20Chau%20(2).jpg)
![A person playing a fluteDescription automatically generated](https://vacne.org.vn/Images/image/Nam%202024/Thang%205-2024/LVD%20CDS%20Then%20Sin%20-%20Lai%20Chau%20(3).jpg)
Opening with musical performances by students of the Giay ethnic group, dances of the Thai ethnic group and Khen language of the H'Mong ethnic group
![A group of men holding papersDescription automatically generated](https://vacne.org.vn/Images/image/Nam%202024/Thang%205-2024/LVD%20CDS%20Then%20Sin%20-%20Lai%20Chau%20(4).jpg)
Outstanding teacher, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Heritage Tree Council and Mr. Nguyen Van Bien - Director of the Forest Protection Department of Lai Chau province awarded the Decision and Certificate of recognition of Vietnam Heritage Trees for local representation
![A group of people standing under a red ribbonDescription automatically generated](https://vacne.org.vn/Images/image/Nam%202024/Thang%205-2024/LVD%20CDS%20Then%20Sin%20-%20Lai%20Chau%20(5).jpg)
Opening the Vietnamese Heritage Tree epitaph
![A group of people holding flags under a treeDescription automatically generated](https://vacne.org.vn/Images/image/Nam%202024/Thang%205-2024/LVD%20CDS%20Then%20Sin%20-%20Lai%20Chau%20(6).jpg)
Primary school children wave the national flag under the Heritage Tree
![A group of people standing under a treeDescription automatically generated](https://vacne.org.vn/Images/image/Nam%202024/Thang%205-2024/LVD%20CDS%20Then%20Sin%20-%20Lai%20Chau%20(7).jpg)
The local community and guests attending the ceremony took souvenir photos under the Heritage Tree