Vietnamese guests talk about the feeling of hugging a ‘magic tree’ that is more than 1,000 years old

Located in Na Tau village, Ngoc Chien commune, the mountain elm tree (or giant sa mu tree) is more than 1,000 years old. The tree was recognized by the Heritage Tree Association as a “Vietnamese Heritage Tree” in March 2023. The tree is over 35 m tall, over 100 cm in diameter, and has a luxuriant trunk.

The giant sa mu tree is considered a town treasure by local people and is also a famous tourist destination. In the village, local people call it “magic tree”, “sa mu giant tree” or “Co may pé” (local language). The tree is used by indigenous people to keep their oath to protect the “god” who protects the village.

Mr. Luong Van Xien, representative of Ngoc Chien Commune Community Tourism Cooperative, said that every year, during the festival season at the beginning of the year and on holidays, the largest number of tourists flock to visit the “magic tree”. They burn incense to pray for luck, prosperity and smooth travel. According to statistics in 2025, about more than 3,000 visitors will visit here.

On the Nam Nghiep – Ngoc Chien Tourism Forum, many tourists also introduced sightseeing spots of the giant sa mu tree combined with a trip to Nam Nghiep village during hawthorn flower season.

Mr. Lekima Hung, photographer and tour guide, said that during the photo tour taking visitors to Nam Nghiep village to take photos of medlar flowers in mid-March, the group members expressed their interest in visiting the giant sa mu tree.

According to Mr. Hung, not only taking check-in photos, some people who have learned about dowsing or studied meditation said they felt energy when coming into contact with trees. “Personally, I think ‘communicating’ with this giant tree is close to the Japanese concept of forest bathing,” Mr. Hung added.

“Long-lived trees accumulate biological energy, their large root systems connect soil and water, and are less susceptible to artificial impacts. When I meditate next to an old tree, I feel peace in my mind, a feeling of connection with nature, bringing positive energy,” said Ms. Kim Anh, a member of the delegation.

According to the tour guide at Na Tau village tourist area, people in the village still pass down anecdotes about the first people to come to this land. The group wanted to cut down trees to build houses and fields, but the weather was stormy and dark. From the tree, a tiger jumped down, eyes glowing red. An old man came out from the tree trunk and said: “This is the tree where God resides. Everyone just dig and cultivate, God will protect, but you are not allowed to cut down the tree.” Since then, people have built temples and called the tree “god tree”.

The giant sa mu tree is not only a spiritual symbol, but also the center of local cultural activities. Every year, people hold two worshiping ceremonies under the tree: New rice ceremony on January 7 and praying for favorable weather at the end of August.

From 2020, Na Tau village begins to welcome tourists to visit the thousand-year-old sa mu tree. Tourists often combine visiting the giant sa mu tree with a trip to Nam Nghiep village (about 2 km away), in Ngoc Chien commune, to see hawthorn flowers.

Ngoc Chien commune is a famous destination in the North every spring thanks to hawthorn flowers (cat apple) in full bloom, covering the hillsides with white. According to the information portal of Son La province, Ngoc Chien commune currently has more than 2,500 hectares of hawthorn trees, of which Nam Nghiep village has the largest planted area, many trees are hundreds of years old. The destination is located about 300 km from Hanoi. Tourists follow Noi Bai – Lao Cai highway (CT05) then enter Highway 32. Travel time is about 7 hours.