Century-old temple inside bodhi tree slowly collapsing

Locals in southern Tien Giang province’s Tan Dong commune are increasingly concerned as their treasured century-old temple built inside a bodhi tree is gradually collapsing.

The famous temple, built inside the hollow of a huge bodhi tree, is expected to be restored next year by the local government.

However a local said that since it is now the rainy season, both the temple and the tree may collapse at any moment before the restoration even begins.

Early in the morning of August 19, a dozen locals gathered at the temple, only to see that part of it had collapsed during the previous evening’s downpour, with tile fragments and several roof sections lying scattered on the ground.

However, Nguyen Ngoc Minh, head of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, explained that though restoring the temple is a priority, the province lacks the funds to begin the process immediately.

The renovation plan and design have already been submitted for the committee’s approval.