A ceremony took place on Sunday to officially recognise as a national heritage tree the magnificent thousand-year-old banyan tree in Da Nang’s Son Tra Nature Reserve.  The tree is the only one in the city to be recognised by the Viet Nam Heritage Tree Council under the Viet Nam Association for the Conservation of Nature and the Environment (VACNE).

The banyan tree, which is one of Viet Nam’s oldest, measures 26m in height, 10m in circumference, and its 26 eye-catching rootlets are each 25m long.

The thousand-year-old banyan tree

Addressing the event, the Vice Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee, Mr Huynh Duc Tho, remarked on the significance of the protection and conservation of this unique tree.  He asked local relevant agencies to be responsible for taking care of the tree as well as raising the public’s awareness of the need to protect it.  In addition, local travel agents were urged to add the tree to their list of the city’s visitor attractions.  This will be a good way to publicise the cultural, historical and scientific values of the heritage tree to people at home and abroad. 

Vice Chairman Tho (left) receiving a certificate of the tree’s recognition on behalf of Da Nang’s leaders and people

The recognition of the heritage tree is aimed at promoting the conservation of indigenous genetic resources to ensure biodiversity on the Son Tra Peninsula.  In addition, it will help to promote environmental protection and also accelerate the development of the city’s tourism sector.  To be recognised, a tree is required to meet rigorous criteria relating to its age, the process of growth, and any connection with historical or cultural features of the area where it grows.

Representatives from the VACNE and the city’s authorities standing beside a stone stele which honours the tree

According to the Management Board of the Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang Tourism Beaches, in recent years this special tree has attracted a great deal of attention from groups of domestic and foreign visitors during their trips to the peninsula.  In particular, it has been a draw for adventure and ecotourism lovers.  In addition, many foreign environmental researchers, along with students from the biological and environmental sciences faculties in overseas universities, have made field trips to the peninsula to do research into this ancient tree.  It is essential to take protective measures to promote the conservation of the heritage tree and ensure its sustainable growth in the future.