HCMC – Vietnam plans to plant 238,000 hectares of forest annually to fight climate change, aiming to maintain national forest coverage at 42% to 43%. This goal is outlined in the draft National Forestry Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.
According to the draft, the total forest and forestry land area will be 15.85 million hectares, divided into special-use forests (15.5%), protection forests (33%), and production forests (51.5%).
The plan emphasizes improving forest quality, especially natural forests. The forestry sector aims for an average annual growth rate of 5% to 5.5% in added value from forestry production.
Each year, the Government plans to plant 238,000 hectares of production and protection forests and restore 22,500 hectares of natural forests. By 2030, the area of forest with sustainable management certification is expected to exceed one million hectares.
Vietnam also aims to increase the export value of wood and forest products to US$20 billion by 2025 and US$25 billion by 2030. Domestic consumption is projected to reach US$5 billion by 2025 and US$6 billion by 2030. Revenue from forest environmental services is expected to grow 5% annually, reaching VND3.5 trillion per year in 2021-2025 and VND4 trillion in 2026-2030.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development estimates the total investment needed for the plan at VND217.3 trillion, with nearly VND107 trillion required for the 2021-2025 period.
The national forestry planning is one of four sectoral plans organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, alongside plans for disaster prevention, fishing ports and shelters, and fisheries protection and exploitation for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.
