The vast area of the forest is home to thousands of precious tree species such as ironwood, rosewood, and agarwood. However, most of them are ancient ironwood trees. From above, the forest is a lush, vibrant green. Local elders shared that the forest has been there for over a hundred years, and despite the passage of time, whether through storms or droughts, the entire forest remains lush and thriving.
Along the road leading to the ironwood forest is a large temple and a pagoda. The ancient wooden temple, nestled amidst the forest, is a spiritual site for the locals. Inside the temple is a single altar and several sets of tables and chairs. The wooden frames of the temple are intricately and anciently carved. During festivals and holidays, locals often come to the temple to burn incense and worship.
Previously, the ironwood forest was directly managed by the Hau Thanh commune authorities. However, since 2017, the forest has been transferred to the management of the district’s forestry department.
According to locals, the forest contains many valuable trees, especially ironwood. However, for over a hundred years, no one from the village has dared to enter and cut down the trees. Partly because the locals have always valued the forest and cherished the green spaces, and partly because of the “village rules” for forest preservation that have been passed down from generation to generation.
“The villagers of Hau Thanh have long established village rules to protect the ironwood forest. No one is allowed to enter the forest and cut down trees without permission. Anyone who violates this rule will be fined and required to plant ten new trees. It is because of these strict laws that the ironwood forest remains lush and thriving to this day,” shared Mr. Nguyen Van Long, a resident of Hau Thanh commune.
The leadership of Hau Thanh commune shared that within the forest are thousands of ironwood trees, some of which are several decades old, while others are over 300 years old and require 2-3 people to encircle their trunks. These ancient ironwood trees stand tall, withstanding the test of time, providing a green space for the locals to enjoy.
The ancient ironwood trees, with their rough and peeling bark, still possess a strong vitality. According to the leadership of Hau Thanh commune, the commune hires a forest ranger every month. However, the ranger’s primary responsibility is to prevent forest fires, while the locals voluntarily take on the task of protecting the forest from illegal logging. No one has dared to enter this sacred forest and cut down trees.
Currently, many ironwood trees are gradually dying due to old age. Mr. Nguyen Hong Chinh, Chairman of Hau Thanh Commune People’s Committee, shared that in addition to ironwood, the Tower Mountain is also home to various rare and ancient tree species. The locals consider the forest a priceless treasure bestowed by nature.
For over ten years, Mr. Mai Huy Chan, an official of the Hau Thanh commune’s forestry department, has been responsible for protecting this century-old ironwood forest. He shared that he feels an irresistible urge to visit the forest every day. For him, protecting the ironwood forest is not just a job, but also a way to safeguard the legacy left by their ancestors for future generations. He believes that by doing so, the locals will be blessed with good health and prosperity.
The young ironwood trees growing throughout the forest will continue to develop and contribute to the diversity and richness of the forest.
A bird’s-eye view of the century-old ironwood forest, the only one of its kind in Vietnam, reveals a lush, vibrant green landscape. Video: Ha An
