Young man invests more than 20 billion VND to build wax coconut museum

Gratitude to the person who brought wax coconut to Vietnam

Located in Tam Ngai commune, Vinh Long , the wax coconut museum was inaugurated on December 13, 2024 after nearly 2 years of construction, with a total investment of more than 20 billion VND. The project is built on an area of nearly 1,500 m2, including 1 ground floor and 2 floors.

This place vividly recreates the story of the wax coconut tree, from its first appearance to its journey of attachment to the lives of the indigenous people. The exhibition space honors the unique cultural exchange between the three Kinh, Khmer and Chinese communities, residents who have joined hands to create a unique cultural feature for this land.

The wax coconut museum invested in and built by Mr. Tran Duy Linh is the first private museum in Vinh Long. PHOTO: DUY TAN

A highlight not to be missed in the museum is the memorial area of Monk Thach So, who brought the wax coconut variety to Vietnam in 1924. The vivid wax statue and the original 100-year-old wax coconut tree preserved right in the museum grounds are valuable artifacts, reminding us of the origin and spread of the wax coconut tree.

Many hand-painted paintings by folk artist Ly Lech also contribute to enriching the exhibition space, depicting the historical journey of the wax coconut tree, associated with simple but unique slices of life of Vinh Long people.

Two gold-plated wax coconuts are displayed at the museum. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Journey to find heritage

Few people know that the museum was formed through a long, silent but determined journey of Mr. Linh, the founder of Cau Ke Wax Coconut Processing Company Limited. He spent many years traveling, approaching local people, monks, elders and plant experts to trace the history of wax coconut.

He went to Botumsakor Pagoda (Cho Pagoda, in Cau Ke District, Tra Vinh ), where the first wax coconut tree planted by Venerable Thach So was kept. Through the stories of the abbots, the story of the first two wax coconut trees brought from Cambodia to Vietnam was gradually revealed. The first 100-year-old wax coconut tree is still kept in the temple grounds and there are many wax coconut trees that were taken from the first wax coconut tree and are growing well and bearing fruit all year round.

According to Mr. Linh, these are the original wax coconut trees (without scientific intervention - PV ) that produce the best quality wax. Local people brought them back to plant and today they have become the main livelihood of most local people.

Not stopping there, Mr. Linh continues to collect artifacts, images, farming tools and folk stories related to wax coconut to restore part of the community's memory. This is not only a personal effort but also an act of heritage, preserving things that are at risk of being lost.

"I have traveled all over Vinh Long, from the villages to the coconut growing areas, to find items associated with the wax coconut tree and the traditions of this land. I hope to restore forgotten historical pieces," said Mr. Linh.

The road to realizing the museum was not smooth. Lack of scientific documents, lost artifacts, financial difficulties and lack of experience in the field of museums and tourism were the barriers that Mr. Linh and his colleagues had to face.

However, with passion and perseverance, he gradually overcame. Many households donated antiques and coconut farming tools to the museum. In addition, Buddhist dignitaries and elders enthusiastically supported documents and local authorities always accompanied him, helping him fulfill his dream of preserving cultural values and spreading the value of wax coconut to the domestic and international community.

The images recreate the story of the wax coconut tree, from its first appearance to its journey into the lives of indigenous people. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Visitors to the wax coconut museum. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Tourism development associated with conservation

The Wax Coconut Museum is not only a cultural project, but also opens up a new direction in developing tourism associated with heritage conservation. According to Mr. Linh, the goal is not simply profit, but to create sustainable value for the community, preserve rare wax coconut varieties, raise cultural awareness and promote the local economy.

In the future, Mr. Linh will promote experiential tourism products, train a team of professional tour guides; at the same time connect with domestic and foreign partners to bring the image of his hometown's wax coconut far and wide.

In addition, Mr. Linh is also the editor of the book Macapuno Wax Coconut - 100 Years of Vow , honoring the merit of the person who brought the first wax coconut tree to plant in this area. The 100-year history of the wax coconut tree is encapsulated in 220 pages, including 4 chapters depicting the flow of history, the aspiration to change the livelihoods of the people, businesses and local authorities.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chang-trai-dau-tu-hon-20-ti-dong-xay-bao-tang-dua-sap-185250721182249413.htm