Notable among the ancient trees in Yen Chau district recognized as Heritage Trees this time are a nearly 600-year-old round-fruit mango tree (scientific name is Mangifera indica L.), with a trunk circumference of over 8m, in Kha village, Sap Vat commune; a 500-year-old tamarind tree, over 6m tall, in Na Nga village, Chieng Hac commune. In addition, many other ancient trees in Muong Lum commune (in the same Yen Chau district) have also been recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees.

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

In addition, in Kha village, Sap Vat commune, there is also a giant tamarind tree (trunk circumference up to more than 4 m), along with 01 banyan tree and 09 Shan Tuyet tea trees over 100 years old of Muong Lum commune, which were also recognized and awarded the Certificate of "Vietnam Heritage Tree" in this period.

Attending and sharing joy with the local authorities were Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Heritage Tree Council. Along with the Party Committee, People's Committee and a number of departments and branches of Son La province, Yen Chau district, and many local ethnic people.

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (far left) and Associate Professor Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Heritage Tree Council (far right) directly presented the Certificate and Decision recognizing the Vietnam Heritage Tree to local leaders.

Speaking at the event, the leaders of Yen Chau district expressed their joy and thanked the officials and people for their efforts in preserving these special ancient trees; at the same time, they hoped that people would take better care of and protect the trees. This would contribute to the preservation of valuable genetic resources, serving the development of local agricultural and tourism economy.

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

Delegates take souvenir photos next to the Heritage Tree.

According to the elders in the village, these ancient trees are all “old trees” that were kept and preserved during the process of clearing and establishing villages, and have become sacred in the middle of the forest, among the indigenous community. Therefore, the recognition of ancient trees as Vietnam Heritage Trees is not only a biological and environmental recognition, but also a profound testament to the cultural - historical - spiritual value of ancient trees in the life of the Yen Chau ethnic community.

Along with the ceremony to announce the Decision to recognize the Vietnam Heritage Tree, Yen Chau District People's Committee also organized the Mango Festival 2025. With over 3,300 hectares of mango, the output in 2025 is estimated to reach over 26,000 tons, with varieties of round mango, native mango, Australian mango, Taiwanese mango, Yen Chau mango has become a special agricultural symbol of Son La land.

The event honoring "Vietnam Heritage Trees" was initiated by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment in 2010, with the aim of protecting ancient trees of special value. After 15 years of implementation, the Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment has recognized over 8,000 ancient trees of 145 species living in 57 provinces and cities nationwide as Heritage Trees.

The honoring event not only contributes to raising awareness of nature conservation but also promotes eco-tourism and traditional education for the younger generation. In addition, the conservation of Vietnam Heritage Trees is an important initiative, directly contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of the environmental landscape.

This is also a way to connect the cultural traditions of the Vietnamese people, contributing to improving people's lives and opening up new directions in the process of natural resource management, environmental protection and climate change response.