Timeless allure: Phu Quoc’s 300-year-old mango tree draws tourists
Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 11:57 GMT+7
A wild mango tree, around 300 years old, at a restaurant in Phu Quoc Island City, off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam, has become a magnet for both local and international tourists.
Sitting on the premises of Gio Bien restaurant, owned by Ho Bach Diep, in Chuong Vich Hamlet, Ganh Dau Commune, Phu Quoc City, this ancient mango tree is a living witness to the passage of time.
Diep reminisced that when she and her family resettled on the island in 2000, the mango tree was already thriving.
Sporting rugged bark, the mango trunk boasts a circumference of approximately 4.5 meters, with branches sprawling 15-20 meters wide, creating a refreshing canopy.
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| A 300-year-old mango tree boasts curved branches in Ganh Dau Commune, Phu Quoc City, off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre |
Diep states that the tree, standing at an impressive height of 30 meters, is estimated to be approximately 300 years old.
In recent times, the mango tree has become a prominent attraction for tourists, providing numerous photo opportunities.
“This wild mango tree has stood the test of time,” Diep said.
“Its beauty mesmerizes both domestic and foreign tourists who eagerly capture its essence in their photographs.
“Recognizing this, I’ve been dedicated to preserving and protecting the tree.”
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| A woman poses for a photo under a 300-year-old mango tree in Ganh Dau Commune, Phu Quoc City, off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre |
Diep highlighted the remarkable resilience of the tree, which grows merely 100 meters from the sea.
Despite its age, annually, the mango tree blossoms and yields modest-sized, mildly sour fruits.
Upon ripening, the fruits delight the taste buds with a sweet flavor and subtle aroma.
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| Men measure the trunk of a 300-year-old mango tree in Ganh Dau Commune, Phu Quoc City, off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre |
Leveraging this unique characteristic, Diep has incorporated the mango’s acidity into various dishes offered at Gio Bien Restaurant, such as ‘canh chua’ (Vietnamese sweet and sour soup), sour sea fish hotpot, and mixed dried fish salad, which have all proven highly appealing to tourists.
Pham Huu Kiet, chairman of the People’s Committee of Ganh Dau Commune, emphasized the need for a specialized agency or expert evaluation to determine the tree’s age, adding a layer of authenticity to its centuries-old lore.
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| Visitors admire a 300-year-old mango tree in Ganh Dau Commune, Phu Quoc City, off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre |
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