Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued a directive on organising the annual tree planting festival on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, while strengthening forest management, protection and development throughout 2026.
The directive underscores the need to implement the movement in a practical and effective manner, closely linked with forest protection and development from the very beginning of the year.
Provincial and municipal People’s Committees are urged to intensify communication and public education to raise awareness among authorities, sectors and the public about the role, significance and value of forests and trees in socio-economic development, environmental protection, climate change adaptation and improving quality of life.
Localities are requested to encourage the participation of mass organisations, schools, businesses, armed forces and communities, while enhancing public responsibility for caring for and protecting trees after planting. This is seen as a key contribution to building a green, clean, safe and sustainable living environment, as well as improving compliance with laws on forestry, nature conservation and biodiversity protection.
The ministry called on provinces and cities to synchronously and effectively implement the national forestry development strategy, the national forestry planning scheme, and key sectoral programmes and projects, while developing and implementing plans for forest protection, forest development and scattered tree planting in 2026 in line with their socio-economic development plans, while mobilising and effectively integrating socialised resources, public investment capital and other lawful funding sources.
Localities are asked to select appropriate timing, locations and tree species suited to ecological conditions, seasons and cultural characteristics of each region. Clear responsibilities for post-planting management, care and protection should be assigned to ensure high survival rates and sustainable growth.
The directive also emphasises strengthening control over the origin and quality of forestry seedlings, while promoting research and the application of advanced science and technology, including biotechnology, to develop new and high-quality indigenous tree varieties resilient to climate change and pests. The use of digital technologies and automation in nursery production, planting, care and forest management is encouraged, alongside the development of large-timber plantations to improve productivity, quality and added value.
In addition, localities are urged to enhance the application of information technology, digital solutions and artificial intelligence in forest protection and management, review and update forest fire prevention and control plans in line with practical conditions.
The ministry also highlighted the need to effectively implement forest environmental service payment policies, promote sustainable forest management and forest certification, and develop forest carbon absorption and storage services to contribute to Vietnam’s greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments. The multiple values of forest ecosystems should be further harnessed through the development of non-timber forest products, medicinal plants under forest canopies, eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation.
In 2025, the country planted approximately 285,000 hectares of concentrated forests, exceeding the annual plan by 9.5%, and planted 108 million scattered trees nationwide. Timber output reached 32.8 million cubic metres, while wood and forest product exports surpassed 18 billion USD, up 6% year-on-year. Revenue from forest environmental services totalled 3.94 trillion VND (149.9 million USD), and national forest coverage remained stable at 42.03%, providing an important foundation for forestry development in 2026./.
