Thai Nguyen: 12 Shan Tuyet tea trees recognized as Vietnamese Heritage Trees

The cluster of ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in Bang Phuc is a particularly rare and valuable indigenous genetic resource that has existed for hundreds of years, growing naturally in the unique climate and soil conditions of the high mountains of Northeast Vietnam.

On the morning of December 12th, a ceremony was held in Dong Phuc commune, Thai Nguyen province, to announce the decision and receive the Certificate recognizing the Bang Phuc Shan Tuyet tea tree as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree.

At the ceremony, Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh, President of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment, presented the Certificate of Recognition of Vietnamese Heritage Trees to the cluster of 12 Shan Tuyet tea trees in Dong Phuc commune.

The organizing committee also held a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in investment, production linkage, and product distribution of Shan Tuyet tea between the People's Committee of Dong Phuc commune and partner units.

This is a highly significant event, aiming to honor the biological, cultural, and historical value of the ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees – natural treasures that have been intertwined with the lives, culture, and livelihoods of the Dong Phuc people for generations.

Regarding the Bang Phuc Shan Tuyet tea plant, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh, Deputy Director of the Northern Mountainous Region Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology Institute, Vice President of the Vietnam Tea Association, and General Secretary of the Vietnam Tea Science and Technology Association, stated that in terms of scientific value and genetic resources, the survey results show that the ancient Shan Tuyet tea plant population in Bang Phuc is a particularly rare and valuable indigenous genetic resource, having existed for hundreds of years and growing naturally in the characteristic climate and soil conditions of the high mountains of the Northeast.

This is an extremely valuable source of genetic material for conservation and breeding of high-quality tea varieties, especially in the context of climate change and the current demands for sustainable agricultural development.

In terms of ecological value, the Shan tea plantation is not merely an agricultural crop, but also an important part of the native forest ecosystem, contributing to water conservation, erosion control, soil stabilization, and biodiversity protection.

Preserving the population of ancient Shan tea trees is also about preserving the local ecological environment.

The title of Vietnam Heritage Tree is a testament to the efforts to preserve, conserve, and promote the value of the Shan Tuyet tea tree - the pride of Dong Phuc commune, Thai Nguyen province.

In his opening remarks at the ceremony, Mr. Trieu Quang Hung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Phuc commune, said that the recognition of 12 ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in Dong Phuc commune as Vietnamese Heritage Trees by the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment is not only a source of pride for local tea growers but also a great honor for the Party Committee, government, and people of Dong Phuc commune.

This affirms the unique biological value of the Shan Tuyet tea variety, as well as the cultural and historical value associated with the local ethnic communities. It also demonstrates the potential for developing ecotourism, experiential tourism, and agricultural tourism in the area, and the ability to develop the economy from this ancient tea region into a marketable commodity, linked to its unique identity, with OCOP products and the Bang Phuc Shan Tuyet tea brand.

According to Mr. Hung, to achieve this goal effectively, the locality hopes to continue receiving the attention and guidance of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee; the cooperation of departments and agencies in conservation, promotion, and brand building; the support of the Northern Mountainous Region Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology and scientists in research and technology transfer; and the commitment of businesses and cooperatives in linking production and consumption of products from the heritage Shan Tuyet tea plant in particular, and Bang Phuc Shan Tuyet tea in general.

And especially, the collective efforts of all the people of Dong Phuc in preserving and promoting the value of ancient tea trees and heritage tea trees.

On this occasion, the organizing committee affixed heritage tree plaques, presented by representatives of the Vietnam Association for Nature and Environment Protection (VACNE) – the organization responsible for recognizing Vietnamese Heritage Trees – to the cluster of 12 Shan Tuyet tea trees in Dong Phuc commune.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thai-nguyen-12-cay-che-shan-tuyet-duoc-cong-nhan-la-cay-di-san-viet-nam-post1082685.vnp