A 300-year old banyan tree in My Duc district, Hanoi has been recognised by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) as a Vietnam Heritage Tree.

VACNE on November 17 held a ceremony to present the recognisation certificate to leaders of the municipal People’s Committee.

Located in the communal house of Bach Tuyet hamlet in Hung Tien commune, the tree has been associated with the cultural and spiritual lives of many generations living in the locality.

The recognition contributes to raising public awareness protecting greenery and the environment as well as preserving cultural heritages in the locality and surrounding areas.

The VACNE launched a programme to conserve Vietnam Heritage Trees in 2011. To be recognised as heritage trees, the trees must be at least 200 years old in the case of wild trees, and at least 100 years for those planted. Moreover, the trees should be connected with historical and cultural characteristics of the area where they grow.

Nearly 500 trees have been named Vietnam Heritage Tree so far.-VNA