Ancient elm trees in Tan Trao

When talking about Tan Trao, people often mention historical places that have become legends such as Na Nua hut, Hong Thai communal house, Tan Trao banyan tree... but there is a special "witness" that has stood there for hundreds of years to embrace and protect this land, that is the row of old duoi trees. The row of duoi trees is not just a row of trees but has become a symbol of the revolutionary countryside.

Tan Trao duoi trees provide shade on both sides of the road, welcoming visitors to the revolutionary homeland.

Green citadel…

Located right in Bong village, Tan Trao commune, the old row of duoi trees is unknown when it was built. All we know is that for hundreds of years it has stood there, proudly stretching out with an ancient, sacred appearance.

The nearly 500-meter-long road is lined with ancient elm trees with large, tall trunks and wide canopies. The intertwined branches and leaves create a natural, soft, yet sturdy green archway. Thanks to the layers of small, dense, dark green leaves, the elm trees in Tan Trao have a very unique beauty, making anyone who sets foot there feel filled with a sense of peace.

The sacredness of the row of duoi trees has become a part of the people's way of thinking and living. On a clear autumn afternoon, with golden sunlight pouring like honey on the green road, we had the opportunity to chat with Mrs. Vien Thi Soa, nearly 90 years old, who has been attached to this land for almost her entire life. She said: "Since I was born, there has been a row of duoi trees at the beginning of the village. The old people said that since the time of land reclamation and settlement, the people who came to establish the village planted this row of duoi trees right at the beginning of the road. Over the years, the row of duoi trees has become a solid rampart, embracing and protecting the village."

For the locals here, each ancient elm tree is not just an ordinary tree, but a “living witness”, witnessing generations of Tan Trao’s children grow up and mature. Ever since they were children, each person was taught by their grandparents and parents not to destroy or climb on these precious elm trees. Mr. Ma Thanh Van, Bong village, Tan Trao commune shared: “This is considered a sacred “old tree”, converging hundreds of years of spiritual energy from heaven and earth, bringing peace and luck. Therefore, for generations, whenever passing by the elm trees, people have always had a special attitude of respect”.

Tourists check-in at Tan Trao elm forest.

Not only having spiritual and cultural significance, the ancient row of Tan Trao duoi trees is also a historical evidence of our ancestors in the process of building and defending the country. During the years of resistance, the row of duoi trees witnessed generations of fathers and brothers coming to Tan Trao land - the historical land that was once the center of the "Liberated Zone Capital", the center of the "Resistance Capital".

With such great values, the awareness of preserving and protecting the duoi trees has been deeply ingrained in the subconscious of every Tan Trao resident. Comrade Ma Van Yen, Head of Bong village, shared: “The villagers always remind each other to take care of the duoi trees. No one is allowed to climb or cut them down. Every two or three years, a few young men in the village will be assigned a special task of pruning old branches to create a canopy, helping the trees grow better.”

Honor, preserve

The ancient row of duoi trees, with its special beauty and meaning, has become an unmissable check-in location. Many tourists stop by the row of duoi trees to immerse themselves in nature, taking unique souvenir photos, bearing a strong historical mark. In particular, it has become an endless source of inspiration for photographers.

The old, rough elm trees are witnesses of time, protecting the people of Tan Trao through the years.

“I can’t count how many times I’ve brought my camera here. The beauty of the elm grove lies not only in its antiquity, but also in the life stories it tells. Every person who comes here to check-in feels a sense of peace mixed with pride,” said Le Hong Duc, a photographer.

With its great historical, cultural and tourism values, the ancient elm trees are being cherished by the government and people of Tan Trao with a great aspiration. Comrade Duong Minh Tuan, Chairman of Tan Trao Commune People's Committee shared: "We hope that the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will prepare a dossier to propose recognizing the old elm trees as a Vietnam Heritage Tree. This is not only an honor, but also a basis for a plan to preserve and restore them scientifically , preserving the pristine, rustic beauty of the trees."

To create a landscape, every year, Tan Trao commune still plants more elm trees on both sides of the road. Now the entire long road is covered with the green color of the elm trees providing cool shade. However, in addition to conservation, many opinions say that the elm trees in Tan Trao need to create their own highlights to attract more tourists. Ms. Mai Hai Yen, tour guide of Vietrailval Trading and Service Company Limited (Hanoi), shared: "Many countries in the world have created a check-in fever by pruning and creating unique shapes for ancient trees. This is a way to attract tourists that the locality should refer to, to both preserve the ancient features and create something new and unique."

The ancient Tan Trao elm trees with their majestic beauty and eternal sacredness will forever be a part of history, a living symbol of tradition and patriotism of this revolutionary land.

Quang An

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/202508/rang-duoi-co-thu-o-tan-trao-ee8109e/