Receiving certificate of "Vietnamese Heritage Tree" and setting record of a pair of clay dragon statues

On the afternoon of March 8, provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs coordinated with Binh Duong Junior College of Fine Arts and Culture to organize a ceremony to recognize the “trom” tree with the scientific name of sterculia foetida in the campus of the school as a "Vietnamese Heritage Tree". The event was attended by Truong Thi Bich Hanh, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee, Head of provincial Party Committee's Commission for Propaganda and Education; Nguyen Truong Nhat Phuong, Vice-Chairwoman of provincial People's Council; Assoc.Prof.-Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment.

The “trom” tree at Binh Duong Fine Arts - Culture Junior College existed before the school was established. The existence and growth of the tree over the past time was associated with the formation and development of the school through many stages. The generations of the school’s leaders, teachers, and students had many beautiful memories with the tree. They used to sit under the tree's canopy to sketch the scenes of boats, rivers, etc. After more than 150 years, this ancient tree has witnessed many local historical and cultural events.

Le Quang Loi, Principal of Binh Duong Fine Arts - Culture Junior College said that the “trom” tree being recognized as a "Vietnamese Heritage Tree" is an important event with ecological, historical, environmental and tourism values. This honor will contribute to raising awareness and responsibility of teachers, students and people in the work of protecting and tending the heritage tree, contributing to the work of nature conservation associated with promoting the local cultural and historical values.

*On the same morning, the Management Board of Tuong Binh Hiep Communal House in Thu Dau Mot city’s Tuong Binh Hiep ward held a ceremony to announce the decision and receive the certificate of recognition as "Vietnamese Heritage Tree" for the konia and banian trees in the ground of the communal house. The event was attended by Assoc.Prof. - Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment.

After carrying out related tasks such as conducting a survey of the current status of 2 ancient trees, determining their age and collecting documents related to historical factors, the Management Board of Tuong Binh Hiep communal house coordinated with the People's Committee of Tuong Binh Hiep ward to set up a dossier to request recognition as a "Vietnamese Heritage Tree" for the konia and banian trees in the ground of the communal house.

On February 22, 2024, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment issued the Decision No. 87/QD-HMTg recognizing tree and banian trees in the ground of Tuong Binh Hiep communal house as "Vietnamese heritage trees". Accordingly, the konia tree is about over 200 years old while the banian tree is about over 150 years old. Being protected by local people, both trees have reached good growth with flowers and fruits.

*Also on the morning of March 8, the People's Committee of Tuong Binh Hiep ward in Thu Dau Mot city held a ceremony to announce and receive the certificate of recognizing a pair of clay dragon statues as the largest of its kind nationwide by the Vietnam Records Organization. The event was attended by Duong Duy Lam Vien, Director of the Vietnam Records Institute.

The record-setting pair of clay dragon statues is an ancient ceramic space model, made by Tuong Binh Hiep ward in celebration of the 2024 Lunar New Year and the 10th anniversary of the ward's establishment. The model was officially launched more than a month ago, placed along the sides of Ba Sang Bridge on Ho Van Cong street. The model was warmly received by local people and tourists, becoming an interesting destination to visit and take photos during the last Tet festival as well as today.

The model includes 2 dragons about 29 meters long. All parts of the two dragons, from heads, bodies, scales, beard... are all used local ceramic materials, with over 14,000 various clay jars. Through their skillful hands, nearly 50 local artisans created a unique masterpiece with characteristics of a traditional craft village for more than 6 months.

Reported by Hong Thuan-Translated by Kim Tin