The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee (HCYUC) launcheda tree-planting festival at the Truong Bon historical relic site in DoLuong district, the central province of Nghe An, on February 26 withthousands of locals in attendance.

Thetree-planting festival, held at the outset of a new year, is an annualtradition initiated by the late President Ho Chi Minh in 1959.

A HCYUC representative said the launch was held at the Truong Bonrelic site where a number of fierce battles against the US took place topay homage to soldiers and youth volunteers who laid down their livesfor national independence and freedom.

At the event,Nghe An officials encouraged local State agencies, organisations andpeople to grow fruit and timber trees among others along coastal areasto prevent soil and wind erosion.

Concrete measures need to be employed to limit deforestation and raise public awareness, the officials added.

Following the launch, participants planted 30 Sao den (Hopea odorata)trees and hundreds of other tree species at the relic site.

The same day, the HCYUC also launched the festival at the VungChua-Dao Yen area in Quang Trach district, central Quang Binh province,which houses the tomb of the late General Vo Nguyen Giap.

As many as 120 Bang (Arenga pinnata) trees were planted along the roadleading the tomb while more than 3,500 phi lao (Casuarinaequisetifolia) trees were rooted along the nearby coast.

In response to the festival, over 300,000 trees were planted byprovincial and municipal committees of the Youth Union nationwide sincethe year began.-VNA