Pho Minh Pagoda, located within the Tran Temple-Pho Minh Pagoda historical complex in Ninh Binh Province, is more than 800 years old.
Standing in the pagoda’s courtyard are two ancient mango trees believed to be around 330 years old.
In 2012, the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment officially recognised both trees as Vietnam Heritage Trees.
According to heritage documentation assessed by the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, the two trees were estimated to be 316 and 317 years old at the time of recognition.
The Tran Temple, Pho Minh Pagoda complex has since been designated a Special National Relic Site, further enhancing the cultural and historical significance of the heritage trees.
Representatives of the site’s management board said the tree located to the right of Pho Minh Tower has become hollow inside its trunk over time.
Despite this, it has remained standing for many years with dense foliage and continues to produce abundant fruit each season, surprising many visitors.
The main trunk of the mango tree on the left side of the tower has also hollowed out from its roots to branches at a height of nearly eight metres.
In recent years, authorities have applied scientific and technical conservation measures to preserve the tree and extend its lifespan.
Nun Thich Dam Thoan, deputy abbess of Pho Minh Pagoda, said several large branches of the hollow tree broke off in 2018.
The pagoda and site management board have since reinforced the tree with iron supports to prevent collapse during storms and strong winds.
Caretakers also regularly monitor and protect the trees from insects and harmful pests to ensure their long-term survival.