Located in the Thung Nham eco-tourism area, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, an ancient banyan tree with a majestic appearance is attracting the attention of many tourists because of its rare ability to "move" in nature.
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| The ancient banyan tree moves primarily through its aerial roots. As these roots descend, they gradually become main roots, allowing the tree to "move." |
According to locals, this banyan tree is called by a mysterious name: “The Moving Banyan Tree”. Although it does not walk on its own like in myths, according to research by scientists, every 300 years, the tree moves about 10 meters, thanks to a special biological mechanism. Specifically, the tree’s secondary roots drop to the ground, cling deeply and gradually grow to become a new main trunk, while the old trunk rots and disappears. It is this process that creates the slow but unceasing “footsteps” of the ancient banyan tree.
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| In the past, the banyan tree stood beside the ancient temple. When the temple was lost, the tree's first step led it to a temporary shrine built in its place. |
According to legend, the tree's original location was next to an ancient temple that is now lost. Over time, the tree gradually "walked" closer to the lake shore - where there was an abundant water source. What surprised people was that in the fourth step, instead of continuing to move towards the lake, the banyan tree turned back near a small temple, which is believed to worship the spirit of the ancient temple. This phenomenon made people believe that the ancient banyan tree was "going against the law", adding to the sacredness and mystery surrounding the ancient tree's roots.
The tree is over 20 meters high, with a canopy of about 50 meters, with hundreds of secondary roots hanging down to the ground like natural support columns. Many places on the tree trunk have rotted due to its age, but the foliage is still green. Under the tree, the small temple - which preserves the vestiges of the ancient Goi Dai temple, is always filled with incense smoke from visitors stopping to burn offerings.
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| Right below the newly built temple, there is still a small shrine, people call it by the name (spirit shrine). |
A representative of Thung Nham Ecotourism Area shared: “The moving banyan tree is not only a fascinating biological phenomenon but also carries a strong spiritual element, creating a special highlight that attracts domestic and foreign tourists to visit and worship. Some tourists have returned here many times, just to walk around the banyan tree and find a sense of peace under the shade of the thousand-year-old tree.”
Associated with village communal houses and ancient temples, the banyan tree has long been a symbol of the Vietnamese countryside. But in Ninh Binh, that symbol has a completely different nuance: both ancient and lively as if walking through each era. And each of those movements – even though it lasts hundreds of years – is still a living testament to the strong and miraculous vitality of nature.
