The brightness since 60 years of Ben Tre Dong khoi’s day

It has been 60 years since the Dong Khoi movement took place, the values and valuable lessons remain intact, deeply absorb in the spiritual cultural life of the people of Ben Tre, and become the great pride of the generations of today and tomorrow. 60th anniversary of Ben Tre Dong Khoi, this is an opportunity to review the glorious tradition and heroic history page. Promoting the spirit as well as recalling the achieved results over the past time, Ben Tre celebrates 60 years of Ben Tre Dong Khoi Day (January 17, 1960 - January 17, 2020). This is the important historic event, bearing the hallmark of the proud history page of Ben Tre people.

Tourists visit Dong Khoi Ben Tre Historic Site (Photo: TTXTDL)

According to the plan, the 60th Anniversary of Ben Tre Dong Khoi Day will take place at 20:00 on January 16, 2020 in An Hoi Park, Ben Tre City with about 5,000 delegates. In the framework of the ceremony, there will be welcome activities such as: "Flower Boat Festival" on Ben Tre River; Organizing exhibitions introduce the 1960 Dong Khoi movement, the achievement of the "New Dong Khoi" movement for 60 days (November 17, 2019 - January 17, 2020). The province chooses 60 works, products, associated with the preliminary review of 5-year to fulfill Directive No. 16 of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Communist on launching the emulating movement "New Dong Khoi"; organizing a fireworks show in Ben Tre city; Coordinating to organize a national workshop on Dong Khoi; exchanging and meeting historical witnesses telling the story of Dong Khoi movement 1960 and arranging the first week about Culture, Sport and tourism at MCN district.

On November 22, 2019, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ben Tre province coordinated with the Management Board of Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism to organize the opening ceremony with the theme "Journey to Ben Tre Coconut Tourism (Son Tay Town, Hanoi Capital). The event exhibited period of Dong Khoi Ben Tre movement and over 23 years of construction and development of Ben Tre Province (1997-2020) from November 22, 2019 to the end of February 2020 to promote the culture and tourism of Coconut Land in Hanoi. In addition, an exhibition of Dong Khoi Ben Tre will be displayed at Ben Duoc Temple - Cu Chi Tunnels Relic from January 9, 2020 to the end of March 2020 to promote and introduce the achievements to people and friends in Vietnam and abroad to understand about the history of the Dong Khoi movement in 1960 and the heroes of Ben Tre.

Ben Tre attends the event at Vietnam National Village of Ethnic Culture and Tourism (Photo: TTXTDL)

The celebration has a practical and important significance of the province, in order to review the historical values that Dong Khoi movement. We are proud of the people of the Coconut Land who carries out the sacred mission to build the motherland. Ben Tre committee party continue to study, work according to the ideology, morality, Ho Chi Minh style, try to promote the revolutionary tradition. Many "Dong Khoi" movements have been implemented in the process of industrialization and modernization of the country, aimed at the goal of strong and prosperous people, fair society and civilized democracy. The Youth of Dong Khoi homeland to deserve heroes who have sacrificed blood and loves for the freedom of the nation making the glorious victory of the 1960 Dong Khoi being worthy 8 golden words "Hero of Dong Khoi, defeated the US and defeated puppet".

Dong Khoi movement is the pride of the people of Ben Tre. As the next generation, we need to promote the heroic traditions of our ancestors to keep the Dong Khoi torch continue to shine in the construction and defense of the country./.

Author: Bảo Trâm

Translator: Phương Thy

Unique West: The House is made from 4 thousand coconut trees in 2 years

With about 4,000 coconut trees aged 80-100 years, more than 30 artisans nearly 2 years to complete the unique coconut house in the West. The owners are Mr. Duong Van Thuong (79 years old, living in Vinh Long) and his wife.

Coconut shimmering nocturnal house - Photo provided by character

The house is located at An Binh islet, Hoa Ninh commune, Long Ho district, Vinh Long province. The house is invested and built with a total budget nearly 6 billion VND.

Mr. Thuong told his childhood was associated with coconut trees. Growing up, he  always feels very familiar when he sees coconut in anywhere. When his son and his daughter who married with stable life, he has the dream of building a house that is made completely from coconut trees.

From columns, trusses ... to the interior of his house are all made of coconut - Photo by Duy Tan

Ornamental fish pond also is decorated with coconut wood - Photo by Duy Tan

In 2009, after discussing with his wife, Nguyen Ngoc Giac and his daughter, Duong Dieu Hien, the whole family began to come up with the idea. Then, they proceed to plan an area of 4000 m2 coconut trees that are planted in rows to create a beautiful landscape.

To perfect step by step the idea, Mr. Thuong went to look for old coconut trees (about 80-100 years old) and bought them to build the house. In order to get this rare material, he had to go many coconut gardens in Ben Tre and Vinh Long provinces ... In 2017, Mr. Thuong invited more than 30 artisans to build the house and it took nearly 2 years to complete it.

"These coconut trees are very hard and not easy to handle. After the sawn is finished, the coconut fiber is treated and the workers have to peel and use sandpaper until they feel no roughness, then they can start to do it ", Mr. Thuong said.

The campus is surrounded by coconut trees were planted about 10 years before the construction of the coconut. Photo by Duy Tan

Mr. Thuong is standing next to cabinet which is made from coconut and decorated by coconut shell. Photo by Duy Tan

A corner of house is decorated in Vinh Long full with coconut, from a table to watch, towel box, the tea set… Photo by Duy Tan

The highlight of the house is built in the traditional southern style with 3 compartments and 2 wings. From columns, trusses, walls to furniture, items are made from coconut. Moreover, there are also 4 Fu Lu Shou Buddha and Maitreya Buddha made from coconut roots; altar, settee, diaphragm, countertop ... and furniture, decorative lamps, curtains, pictures, tea sets ... also made from coconut. "To complete this construction I spent about 4,000 coconut trees with a total budget of nearly 6 billion," Mr. Thuong said.

A picture made from coconut - Photo by Duy Tan

A statue made from the roots of coconut - Photo by Duy Tan

Stained bulb on coconut trees are also made of coconut shells - Photo by Duy Tan

The sausage spread made of coconut shells - Photo by Duy Tan

Mr. Thuong (center) considers the completion of the coconut house is the joy and the greatest wish of him and his wife. Photo by Duy Tan

Currently, the coconut house is opened to visit. The construction of the coconut house is not only unique living space but also close to nature. Mr. Thuong considers it is the greatest joy and wish of him and his wife.

Ms. Le Thi My Duyen (23 years old, living in Can Tho City) said: "Travelling to An Binh islet (Vinh Long) with a group of friends, and then I accidentally discovered this unique coconut house so we look to visit. When I came here, I was really overwhelmed by the magnificence of this construction. I couldn't trust: The coconut trees, inherently familiar with the southern village that can be built this huge house. Every corner of this house is made of coconut, which is really amazing to me.

Source: Duy Tân - Thanh Nien Online

Translator: Tường Vi