A joint conference reviewing the accreditation of some of Vietnam’s oldest trees over the last five years was convened in Viet Tri city in the northern province of Phu Tho on April 19.

Co-managed by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) and the Vietnam Union of Scientific and Technological Associations, the work to recognise and protect Vietnam’s heritage trees has contributed to protecting the natural environment and the genetic sources of rare trees.

In the last half decade, VACNE has recognised over 970 trees as ‘Vietnamese heritage trees’. Phu Tho is home to 33 of these, including the 2,200 year old “tau bac” tree (vatica odorata) which grows in the Thien Co temple, Viet Tri city.

Standing Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Dinh Cuc said the province will coordinate with environmental associations to find, evaluate and accredit more heritage trees in a bid to improve the community’s awareness about protecting ancient and rare trees and looking after the environment.

The joint conference also honored individuals and organisations who have performed particularly impressively in the work of preserving heritage trees.-VNA