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

Co-managedby the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment(VACNE) and the Vietnam Union of Scientific and TechnologicalAssociations, the work to recognise and protect Vietnam’s heritage treeshas contributed to protecting the natural environment and the geneticsources of rare trees.

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

StandingDeputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Dinh Cucsaid the province will coordinate with environmental associations tofind, evaluate and accredit more heritage trees in a bid to improve thecommunity’s awareness about protecting ancient and rare trees andlooking after the environment.

The joint conference alsohonored individuals and organisations who have performed particularlyimpressively in the work of preserving heritage trees.-VNA