Teachers from Chiềng Cang Secondary School educate students about revolutionary traditions at the Mường Hung Banyan Tree historical site.

From National Highway 4G, crossing the suspension bridge over the Ma River, we arrived at the center of Muong Hung commune. The first thing that caught our eye by the river was a huge, ancient banyan tree with a wide, spreading canopy, symbolizing its enduring vitality. Adjacent to it was a memorial monument dedicated to the martyrs of Muong Hung commune who sacrificed their lives in the national liberation struggles. The banyan tree is a testament to the crimes of the French colonialists against the people of Muong Hung commune during the period of 1947-1952.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Phuc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Hung commune, flipped through the pages of the commune's Party history book, providing information: In 1946, when the French colonialists recaptured Son La, they and their collaborators brutally suppressed the resistance movement in Muong Hung, searching for and arresting cadres and those who participated in and supported the resistance. They arrested and killed 16 key cadres, 9 soldiers, and 365 innocent civilians with various barbaric torture methods right at the banyan tree on the banks of the Ma River.

With a patriotic spirit and revolutionary enlightenment, the people of Muong Hung remained loyal to the Party and the revolution, working alongside the main army to achieve many outstanding victories, eliminating numerous enemies, protecting revolutionary bases, liberating Muong Hung, and freeing the people from the yoke of French colonialism and the French colonialists. The historical site of the Muong Hung Banyan Tree – where the French colonialists executed revolutionary fighters and people of Muong Hung – has become a testament to the crimes of the French colonialists and their collaborators.

The newly established Muong Hung commune was formed by merging the former Muong Hung and Chieng Cang communes. Proud of its heroic homeland, rich in historical and cultural traditions, the commune's Party committee and government have promoted awareness among the people regarding heritage preservation. They have mobilized the people to participate in preserving historical sites through practical actions, such as: protecting and regularly cleaning the environment surrounding the sites; and mobilizing all resources for the restoration and renovation of these sites.

Every year, the commune organizes cultural activities during holidays and festivals, visiting historical sites to help preserve cultural and historical values ​​and promote them to tourists, thereby boosting cultural tourism development. It also directs mass organizations to coordinate with schools to strengthen traditional education, explore the value of historical sites for members, youth, and students, and awaken a sense of responsibility, pride, and respect for the traditional cultural values ​​of the nation.

Over the years, Chieng Cang Secondary School in Muong Hung commune has focused on educating students about the historical value of the Muong Hung Banyan Tree through team activities, flag-raising ceremonies, and by integrating it with history and literature subjects, as well as experiential activities at historical and cultural sites. Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hoa, the school's Vice Principal, said: "This summer, the school, in coordination with the commune's Youth Union, organized a cleanup of the historical site, offered incense at the memorial monument, and presented gifts to families of policy beneficiaries. This fostered pride and love for national history and culture and encouraged students to participate in protecting historical and cultural relics in the commune."

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, a student in class 8A at Chieng Cang Secondary School, shared: "I am very proud to have been born and raised in Muong Hung, a land rich in revolutionary traditions. We learned about the historical site of the Muong Hung Banyan Tree through lessons and experiential activities organized by the school. This is truly a 'red address' for educating us about revolutionary traditions."

Deeply aware of the value and importance of the Muong Hung Banyan Tree historical site, the Party Committee and local government continue to educate cadres, Party members, and the people, especially the younger generation, about the national tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source"; raising awareness and responsibility among the people in preserving and protecting local historical and cultural relics. They encourage and facilitate contributions and sponsorships from organizations and individuals for activities protecting and promoting the value of the relic.