13 "natural steel trees" left on Earth... only Vietnam possesses

Shorea falcata is a rare endemic tree species , famous for its steel-like hardness, with only 13 ancient trees remaining in the world – all in Vietnam. (Photo: Lao Dong Newspaper)

This tree species is limited in coastal protection forests in the Central region, mainly in Phu Yen (7 trees) and Khanh Hoa (6 trees). (Photo: Lao Dong Newspaper)

The curved-leaf bottle tree can grow up to 30-40m tall, with gray-brown bark, characteristic curved leaves, and extremely hard wood, so it was once used in construction, shipbuilding, and important projects. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

A nearly 400-year-old tree in Cam Ranh has been recognized as a Vietnam Heritage Tree, with a trunk diameter of up to 1.7m, still growing and bearing fruit every year. (Photo: Thien Nhien)

This plant species is classified as "Critically Endangered" (CR) on the IUCN Red List due to its extremely low population and very slow growth rate. (Photo: Phu Yen Online)

In addition to its ecological value, the tree also prevents erosion, protects against storms, and has a spiritual role, once considered a "divine tree" in coastal villages. (Photo: Khanh Hoa )

Scientists recommend establishing a strictly protected area, combining research on breeding and restoring curved-leaf bottle on a large scale. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Effective conservation requires multi-sectoral coordination between the government, research institutes, people and international organizations, towards sustainable forest development and ecotourism. (Photo: Brand and Law)