Ancient Bodhi Tree and the Enchanting Allure of Dich Diep Village

Situated approximately 110 kilometers from Hanoi and 20 kilometers from Nam Dinh City, Dich Diep village in Truc Ninh district is among northern Vietnam’s oldest settlements. Founded in the early 11th century, it was originally named Dich Diep Trang.

This village preserves the essence of traditional Vietnamese rural life, characterized by historic banyan trees, temples, pagodas, and wells. It has become a refuge for those in search of tranquility and rejuvenation.

Nguyen Trong Cung, a photographer visiting from Thai Binh, found the village’s serene and idyllic environment to be a reflection of the enduring beauty found in northern Vietnam’s rural landscapes.

Dich Diep features numerous historical landmarks, including six ancient house gates, a southern gate, two wooden houses—one over a century old and another exceeding 200 years, noted for their distinctive tiled roofs—a stone arch bridge built in 1864, and three wells located at the village’s border.

The southern gate and its adjacent stone bridge are particularly noteworthy, attracting many visitors.

As visitors explore the village, they are greeted by beautifully designed gates. These parabolic arch gates feature graceful, tiled roofs upheld by sturdy pillars, intricately adorned with detailed carvings.

The façades of the gates are inscribed with traditional sayings that embody the values and ethics of the families residing within. The designs and dimensions of the gates often reflect the family’s status and resources.

Dich Diep is also home to a magnificent 800-year-old Bodhi tree, recognized as a significant “green treasure.” This towering tree, standing over 20 meters tall, has a trunk so large that it would take at least five adults to encircle it.

The ancient Bodhi tree with its expansive roots.

Photos by Nguyen Trong Cung.

The thick roots, some measuring up to 40 centimeters, delve deep into the soil, serving as a powerful emblem of endurance. In April 2021, the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment recognized the tree as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree, underscoring its cultural and ecological importance.