The reality of “destroying” the 2,000-year-old ancient communal house and cutting down a “hundred-year-old” banyan tree in Hanoi

In the past few days, on social networks, photos related to Chem communal house have been spread on social networks – a communal house located in Bac Tu Liem district, Hanoi. According to the sharer, outside the communal house, the repair and construction process is taking place: The entire steps and stone foundation are dismantled, a multi-year-old banyan tree is cut down, the scene is sprawling.

Many people commented and expressed frustration when the old and ancient stone steps and foundations were “damned and rebuilt”. Besides, many people also find it difficult to understand when the tall, many-year-old banyan tree next to the communal house is cut down.

“It’s so sad to see the old tree stump cut down! The banyan trees in the communal house are all very sacred and ancient”, a TK account commented.

“The restoration and repair of ancient works needs to be done professionally and methodically, but it is not possible to put digging machinery in such a mess. It’s a pity,” another account commented.

Reporter Dan Tri went to Chem communal house in Thuy Phuong ward, Bac Tu Liem district, Hanoi city to find out the incident. Outside the communal house, the face facing the Red River is being repaired, so it is littered with bricks, stones, soil, and sand. Right next to the communal house gate is a banyan tree that has been cut down.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, a resident living near Chem communal house, shared: “The banyan tree was cut down about 5 days ago, since then every time I come here I feel sorry because the tree is quite big and has shade. I am big. I came up here and came here every day to get some fresh air, so when the tree was cut down, I was at a loss.”

Dinh Chem is located next to the banks of the Red River. According to the people, this place is about 2000 years old. With unique architectural and artistic values, Cham communal house has been ranked as a special national relic.

Over thousands of years of history, the colorful stories about Chem communal house make it more sacred and mysterious. That is also the reason why the image of remodeling here is so interested by many people.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Thin, head of the ceremony of Chem communal house (Thuy Phuong ward, Bac Tu Liem district, Hanoi) confirmed that the communal house was in the process of embellishing and repairing. According to Mr. Thin, the items of embellishment and repair include: Renovating the entire system of fences and trees around the communal house, lowering the front yard and backyard to ensure the return of the Cham communal house intact. the other, which has 5 steps, edit the tile.

According to Mr. Thin, the restoration cost is expected to be more than 10 billion VND, of which there is more than 1 billion VND in socialization funding, the rest is from the district and the city.

It is expected that the restoration and modification will be completed in April. Mr. Thin also said that this repair and restoration has been carried out by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports as well as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Tourism acceptance.

“Despite being remodeled, the communal house still retains the original design, and does not lose the core value of the communal house. In the renovation, we have agreed and have a document to keep at least at least. 20% of the value of the communal house The stone steps are mostly kept and restored without deforming the relic.

When we had a remodeling plan, we also consulted the elders in the ward. The banyan tree in front of the gate is not a “hundred-year-old” old banyan tree as many people speculate, but this is a red banyan tree, planted in 1996.

This banyan tree grows very well, but in terms of feng shui, it is not good, it stands in front of the communal house, and at the same time affects the drainage of the house. Every year, the tree is tilted from 5 cm to 10 cm towards the communal house, so we recommend cutting it off. In addition, we also have some items of pruning branches to prevent storms,” ​​Mr. Thin shared.

Exchange with Reporter Dan TriMr. Nguyen Ngoc Phong, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thuy Phuong Ward, (Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi) said, this project is implemented according to the chapter of the district, because Bac Tu Liem district is the investor, the ward only grasps it. coordination, all processes implemented by the county. Degraded items will be repaired and replaced to ensure the longevity of the work. The project is supervised by the community board.

The communal house of Chem village is located next to the Red River, so it is often threatened by floods. In 1902, the communal house was “paddled” to increase 2.4 meters higher with only farmer’s tools such as: nail harrow, light burden… The work took place within a year. An entire communal house weighing hundreds of tons is made of precious wood with intricate trusses that are “carried” up to the same height as the Red River dyke. Dinh Chem is as it is now, having undergone many times of restoration and embellishment.

With the combined values ​​of architecture and festivals, on June 25, 2018, Chem communal house received the certificate of recognition of a special national relic. Previously, on June 17, 2016 Dinh Chem Festival was included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.