Hai Duong (VNA) – A lychee tree in northern Hai Duong province has recently broken the record to become the oldest of its species in Vietnam.
Dating back almost 200 years ago, the tree was planted in Thuy Lam town, Thanh Son commune, Thanh Ha district.
Explaining the origin of the plant, ancient documents said Hoang Van Com, a local villager, brought home three lychee seeds from a fest he attended in neighbouring Hai Phong province, and planted them in his garden. All the seeds grew healthily, and one of them, which is now the oldest lychee tree in the country – turned out to produce delicious fruit. Com decided to clone the special tree, he took saplings and spread them across the village.
Since then, Thanh Ha lychee has gained popularity and become a local staple. Currently, Thanh Ha has more than 1,000 hectares growing lychees under the VietGap standard. In 2015, it exported the fruit to the US, the EU and Japan.-VNA
(http://en.vietnamplus.vn/oldest-lychee-tree-recognised-in-hai-duong/87357.vnp)