A trio of ancient bonsai trees belonging to Nguyen Minh Hoat (born 1980), a resident of Vi Khe ward, Ninh Binh province, has been valued at approximately $1 million by bonsai collectors and enthusiasts.

In his sprawling garden, which spans several thousand square meters in Vi Khe village, Mr. Hoat cultivates over 1,000 artistic bonsai trees of various sizes, all meticulously cared for and shaped. Among them, the three ancient ficus trees placed near the entrance are regarded as his prized possessions.

The central tree of the trio stands around 3.5 meters tall, with a canopy stretching 4 meters wide, and has been styled in the form of a "dragon transformation." The two flanking trees, each about 3.2 meters in height, follow a formal upright design.

According to Mr. Hoat, all three belong to the renowned Nam Dien ficus variety. Estimated to be nearly 100 years old, the trees were acquired for his garden in 2019. Their aged white bark, deeply wrinkled texture, and completely healed pruning scars are indicators of their longevity.

“The skin of the tree speaks volumes about its age,” he said. “Old trunks often have a silvery-white appearance. The older they are, the more wrinkled and raised the surface becomes. Pruning marks from years past have fully healed, leaving little to no trace.”

After purchasing them, Mr. Hoat initially planted the trees directly in the ground to encourage growth and make shaping easier. They were only moved into ceramic pots about four months ago, by which time they had reached over 80% of their final design.

“When transitioning the tree from soil to a pot, the initial care is critical,” Hoat explained. “Every detail must be monitored to stabilize the roots. The shaping process also continues, refining the overall form.”

Because ficus trees thrive on water, Mr. Hoat waters them daily. Sandbags are placed around the roots to retain moisture and prevent splashing.

What sets this bonsai trio apart is not just their centennial age but also their exceptional size and intricate shaping. Each tree possesses its own "personality," appearing almost lifelike. Every curve and contour reflects years of dedication, artistry, and patience.

Mr. Hoat revealed that an offer of $1 million had already been made for the set, but he declined, believing the value and effort invested deserve a higher price.

Commenting on the trio, artisan Nguyen Cong Khanh, Chairman of the Vi Khe Ward Ornamental Creature Association, stated that these are rare specimens showcasing all the essential qualities of size, age, aesthetics, and technique.

"Among tens of thousands of trees, only one might reach such a level of artistry and value. Even in northern Vietnam and beyond, it’s rare to see such large, well-crafted ancient ficus bonsai like this set," he said.

Trong Tung