(VOVworld)- A more than 100- year old banyan tree in the central province of Binh Dinh has been certificated as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment.

A ceremony to announce the status was held in Hoai AN district on February 3.  Located in An Tin commune, Hoai An district, the ancient banyan is over 30 meters in height and 10 meters in diameter. 
In 2011 the association launched a program to conserve Vietnam’s Heritage Trees, aiming to select and honor the country’s heritage trees in a bid to conserve their gene sources, while raising public awareness of protecting the environment.  It also contributes to promoting the diversification and abundance of Vietnam’s flora as well as developing scientific research in the field.

To win the honor, the trees must be at least 200 years old in the case of wild trees, and at least 100 years for those planted. Moreover, the trees should be connected with the historical and cultural characteristics of the area where they grow.

Those which do not meet the criteria, yet have special values to science, history or culture, will also earn recognition. The number of recognized Heritage Trees is currently around 970