The Legend of the 700-Year-Old Persimmon Tree That Saved King Le Loi

In Kim Son village, Ha Tinh province, stands a magnificent persimmon tree that is much more than just a piece of nature. Estimated to be over 700 years old, this 'Heritage Tree of Vietnam' is deeply intertwined with the founding legends of the Le Dynasty. Standing nearly 50 meters tall with a massive hollow trunk that can fit several people, the tree is known locally as 'Goc Thi Su Tich' or the 'Swearing Persimmon Tree.' Its gnarled bark and sprawling branches serve as a living monument to the bravery of the Lam Son uprising in the 15th century.

According to historical legend, during a period of retreat from the Ming invaders, Le Loi (who later became King Le Thai To) sought refuge inside the hollow of this very tree. The enemy soldiers, suspecting he was nearby, used spears to stab into the tree, wounding the future king. Despite the pain and the barking of enemy hunting dogs, Le Loi remained silent. Legend has it that a white fox suddenly darted out from the tree, distracting the soldiers and the dogs, allowing Le Loi to escape certain death. This miraculous event is why the tree is held in such high spiritual regard today, with a small shrine built at its base where locals and visitors come to pray for peace and health.

The tree also earned the name 'Swearing Persimmon Tree' because it was the site where Le Loi and the local leader Nguyen Tuan Thien performed a ritual sacrifice of a white horse and cut their hair to swear an oath of brotherhood and a commitment to defeating the invaders. After the war, Nguyen Tuan Thien was honored as a founding merit official of the dynasty. Today, the tree remains lush and productive, bearing fruit every year. The people of Kim Hoa village view the tree as a 'treasure' and have meticulously protected it for generations. It stands as a powerful symbol of Vietnamese resilience and the deep connection between the land and its history.

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