VietNamNet Bridge – Two over-200-year-old banyans in Ly Son island district of central Quang Ngai Province have been recognised as national heritage trees.

A certificate of the recognition was handed over to local authorities by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) at a ceremony on July 19.

Speaking at the event, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Nguyen Thien Nhan praised efforts of the local authorities and people in preserving historical and cultural values as well as in protecting environment.

Last year, the VACNE also recognised a 200-year-old persimmon in Quang Ngai’s Nghia Hanh District as a national heritage tree.

The VACNE launched a programme to conserve Vietnam Heritage Trees in 2011, aiming to select and honour the country’s heritage trees in a bid to conserve their gene sources, while raising public awareness of protecting the environment.

It also contributes to promoting the diversification and abundance of Vietnam’s flora as well as developing scientific research in the field.

To win the honour, 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 the historical and cultural characteristics of the area where they grow.

Those which do not meet the aforesaid criteria yet have special values in science, history or culture, will also earn recognition.

With the latest recognition of the two trees in Quang Ngai, a total of 611 trees throughout the country have been named Vietnam Heritage Tree so far.

VNA/VNN