The joy at the beginning of the year of Thu Dau Mot people

 In recent days, three-hundred-year-old trees in Binh Duong have been recognized as "Vietnamese Heritage Trees", which is information interests many people, has been shared and is also a joy for Thu Dau Mot people. Continuing that joy, on March 4, a pair of dragons made from earthen pots and jugs in Tuong Binh Hiep ward of Thu Dau Mot city also set a record listed by Vietnam Records Organization. The continuous good news at the beginning of the new year seems to signal that a new year would bring many good things and more prosperity for Binh Duong.

The Vietnam Records Organization has officially granted record-breaking title to "a pair of dragons assembled from the highest number of craft earthen pots in Vietnam"

 An unique pair of dragons

During the recent Lunar New Year 2024 holidays, a pair of dragons were made from clay pots and jugs by artisans of Tuong Binh Hiep craft village, placed on both sides of Ba Sang bridge on Ho Van Cong street, enticing many people. Right from the start, the first images of this dragon pair appeared on mass media, received a lot of attention and won praise. Local people and tourists from other places also came here to visit, admire the creativity and take photos with these two unique dragons after the project was completed. During the holidays, these two dragons were retained by the authority as a creative product, a space to display old ceramics of the local traditional craft, serving as a sightseeing and photo-taking spot for everyone.

According to administrators of Tuong Binh Hiep ward, the time from the idea to completing the pair of dragons was more than 6 months. Local administrators mobilized nearly 50 workers to jointly complete this meaningful model. With a length of about 29m, these two dragons are assembled from over 14,000 pots, large and small. The materials used to make these two dragons are ceramic, which is also a traditional craft product available locally; The process of making dragon scales and beards is the most difficult because it has to be assembled from very small details. The dragon's scales and beard are all made from shaped clay and previously baked. The body is made from pots that are skillfully assembled so that the dragon's scales and beard are synchronized in color, creating a beautiful, harmonious image.

Dragon's scales and beard are done very meticulously.

On March 4, 2024, the Vietnam Records Organization officially recognized the record of "The pair of dragons assembled from the highest number of hand-fired ceramic pots in Vietnam" in Tuong Binh Hiep ward, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong province.

Three precious heritage trees

Previously, information about three ancient trees in Binh Duong recognized by the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment as "Vietnamese Heritage Trees" also received the attention of many people. In particular, all three heritage trees are located within the province's historical and cultural relics. This not only increases the precious spiritual value of each heritage tree, but also contributes to promoting the value of these historical and cultural relics in the future.

The “trôm” tree on the campus of Binh Duong Fine Arts - Culture Junior College with its cool green foliage is where the school organizes many activities or students.

Namely, on February 22, 2024, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment issued Decision No. 85/QD-HMTg recognizing the “trôm” tree on the campus of Binh Duong Fine Arts - Culture Junior College (Phu Cuong Ward, Thu Dau Mot City) to be a "Vietnamese Heritage Tree". Le Quang Loi, Principal of the school, said that according to the elderly and senior teachers, this tree has existed for over 150 years, higher than the age of the school (the school was founded in 1901). This “trôm” tree currently has a main trunk circumference of 3.2m; tree stump circumference 5.2m; height about 25m; canopy diameter is about 25m.

On the same day as the “trôm” tree, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment issued Decision No. 87/QD-HMTg recognizing a “Kơ-nia” tree and Banyan tree in the area of Provincial Historical-Cultural Relic of Tuong Binh Hiep Communal House as two "Vietnamese Heritage Trees".

Looking at the stump of the trees from the outside, it is very difficult to detect because the “Kơ-nia” tree grows inside, its stump is surrounded by the banyan tree's trunk, embracing the entire “Kơ-nia” tree. Because of this uniqueness, many people call these two trees "unity trees".

According to Phan Van Huu, Head of Management Board of Tuong Binh Hiep Communal House relic, these two heritage trees are not only unique because they have existed for hundreds of years and are still growing well, but also because of the "2 in 1" combination”. According to older people, the “Kơ-nia” tree grew first and is now more than 200 years old, while the banyan tree grew later but is also over 150 years old.

Looking at the stump of the trees from the outside, it is very difficult to detect because the “Kơ-nia” tree grows inside, its stump is surrounded by the banyan tree's trunk, embracing the entire “Kơ-nia” tree. About 5-6m from the stump of the tree, when branches of the banyan tree spread out more to the sides, we can clearly see the trunk of the “Kơ-nia” tree growing vertically inside. Because of this uniqueness, many people call these two trees "unity trees".

 Reported by Hong Thuan - Translated by Ngoc Huynh