Among the ancient trees in Yen Chau district recognized as Heritage Trees this time, the most notable are the nearly 600-year-old round-fruited mango tree (scientific name Mangifera indica L.) with a trunk circumference of over 8m, located in Kha village, Sapp Vat commune; and the over 500-year-old sấu tree, reaching over 6m in height, located in Na Nga village, Chieng Hac commune. In addition, many other ancient trees in Muong Lum commune (also in Yen Chau district) have also been recognized as Vietnamese Heritage Trees.

Heritage tamarind tree in Kha village, Sapp Vat commune. (Photo: VN).

In addition, in Kha village, Sapp Vat commune, there is a giant tamarind tree (trunk circumference of over 4 m), along with one banyan tree and nine Shan Tuyet tea trees over 100 years old in Muong Lum commune, which were also recognized and awarded the "Vietnamese Heritage Tree" certificate in this round.

Attending and sharing in the celebration with the local authorities were Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh, President of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment, and Associate Professor Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice President of the Vietnam Heritage Tree Council. Also present were the Party Committee, the People's Committee, and several departments and agencies of Son La province and Yen Chau district, as well as a large number of local people from various ethnic groups.

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh, President of the Vietnam Association for Nature and Environment Protection (far left), and Associate Professor Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice President of the Vietnam Heritage Tree Council (far right), personally presented the Certificate and Decision recognizing the tree as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree to local leaders.

Speaking at the event, the leader of Yen Chau district expressed his joy and thanked the officials and people for their efforts in preserving these special ancient trees; he also hoped that the people would take better care of and protect the trees. This would contribute to the conservation of valuable genetic resources, serving the development of agriculture and tourism in the locality.

In particular, local leaders hope that the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment will continue to provide support so that Yen Chau district can have more ancient trees recognized as Vietnamese Heritage Trees.

The delegates took a commemorative photo next to the Heritage Tree.

According to the elders in the village, these ancient trees are all "ancient trees" that were preserved and protected during the process of clearing land and establishing the village, and have become sacred amidst the vast forest and the local community. Therefore, recognizing these ancient trees as Vietnamese Heritage Trees is not only an acknowledgment of their biological and environmental value, but also a profound testament to the cultural, historical, and spiritual value of these ancient trees in the lives of the ethnic communities of Yen Chau.

Along with organizing the ceremony to announce the Decision recognizing Vietnamese Heritage Trees, the People's Committee of Yen Chau district also organized the Mango Festival 2025. With over 3,300 hectares of mango trees, the estimated production in 2025 is over 26,000 tons. With varieties such as round mangoes, local fragrant mangoes, Australian mangoes, Taiwanese mangoes, and Yen Chau mangoes, the mangoes have become a distinctive agricultural symbol of Son La province.

The "Vietnam Heritage Tree" recognition event was initiated by the Vietnam Association for Nature and Environment Protection in 2010, with the aim of protecting ancient trees of special value. Over 15 years of implementation, the Association has recognized over 8,000 ancient trees belonging to 145 species, found in 57 provinces and cities nationwide, as Heritage Trees.

The event honoring these heritage trees not only contributes to raising awareness of nature conservation but also promotes ecotourism and traditional education for the younger generation. Furthermore, the conservation of Vietnam's Heritage Trees is an important initiative that directly contributes to biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

This is also a way to connect with the cultural traditions of the Vietnamese people, contribute to improving people's lives, and open up new directions in the process of managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and responding to climate change.