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Flickr The relevant authorities could also strengthen inspection,
monitoring and guidance on land use management, the issuance
of land use certificates and the development of management
plans for forestry companies’ land, especially when the land

is returned to local communities.
Such plans should address the land needs of minorities,
ensuring social security and welfare.
Hà Công Tuấn, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and
Rural Development, stressed the importance of shifting the focus
of forest allocation policies from social welfare to economic
development ensuring the protection of forest workers' rights
evaluation of the current status and proposed solutions for and improving the management of forest resources.
allocating forest land in forestry companies' also stated that, Director of the Forestry and Forest Protection Department,

while land allocation has played a crucial role in greening barren Trần Quang Bảo, said that this year the forestry sector will
lands, the implementation process has revealed several issues. focus on researching and drafting an inclusive decree that
The Vice President of the Association, Nguyễn Văn Tiến, revises existing laws to address the challenges within the sector.
said that under Decree 135/2005/NĐ-CP, households are The proposals are expected to contribute to refining the
allowed to build homes for forest supervision and temporary policy framework, improving land management and enhancing
shelters for storing equipment. the sustainable development of Vietnam’s forestry sector in
However, the management of allocated areas by forest the near future.

management units has been lax, leading to unauthorised land
use changes and construction of buildings. Setting sights on US$18 billion exports
Moreover, there is no legal framework specifying how Growing international regulations on legally sourced agricultural
to handle violations by communities, groups or households and forestry products are presenting new challenges.
engaged in forest protection activities when such infractions To stay competitive and mitigate trade risks, Vietnamese
occur on allocated land. exporters are being urged to improve supply chain governance,
The lack of clear guidelines for managing assets on the embrace green production standards and invest in sustainable
land such as crops, homes and temporary structures when development.
contracts are terminated or land is reclaimed also remains a According to trade analysts, policy shifts in major markets

significant issue. such as the US and the EU can reshape the landscape for
wood and timber product exports.
Proposals for improvement The US is expected to implement stricter trade protection
In light of these challenges, the association has called for measures in 2025, adding pressure on Vietnamese exporters
the government to revise the policy on forest and forestry who currently send over 50 percent of their wood-related
land allocation. exports to the American market.
It recommends revisions should allow companies that have As Vietnam stands as the US’s fourth-largest export

received land leases to independently implement business market in ASEAN and its eighth-largest global trading partner,
measures in accordance with legal provisions. the stakes are high. Concerns are growing over the risk of