Forests are source of happiness, health and livelihoods

From a green "shield" to a driver of economic development

Forests are not merely ecosystems; they are an economic engine, a cultural foundation, a climate shield, and a source of happiness, health, and livelihoods for humanity. This is the message that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Viet Nam Forest Administration (VNFOREST) will disseminate during the celebration of International Day of Forests 2026 in Viet Nam.

The International Day of Forests (March 21) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012, and first observed in 2013. Since then, the event has been maintained annually with various themes, embraced by UN member states through numerous national and local activities, including in Viet Nam.

This year’s global theme, "Forests and Economies," emphasizes the vital role of forests in promoting prosperity, maintaining and regulating water sources, protecting soil, supporting agricultural production, and building climate-resilient economies.

In Viet Nam, forests hold a sacred place in the nation’s development. Mr. Tran Quang Bao, Director of the Viet Nam Forest Administration, shared: “Forests are not only the ‘green lungs’ that protect us from natural disasters, but also a source of livelihood for millions of people, especially mountain communities and groups whose lives are deeply connected to the forest.”

Through forestry programs and projects, forests are gradually being transformed into sources of raw materials for the wood and forest products processing industry. Forestry development also stimulates growth in other economic sectors such as hydropower, ecotourism, aquaculture, medicinal plants, and carbon capture and storage services, creating jobs, improving livelihoods, increasing income, and reducing hunger and poverty, particularly among ethnic minorities and communities in remote areas with challenging socio-economic conditions.

To date, approximately 25 million people, most of them ethnic minorities, living in or near forests benefit directly or indirectly from forest resources. From modern forest-product industrial zones to traditional craft villages, forests quietly contribute directly to GDP and generate added value across all economic sectors. Protecting forests is, in essence, protecting our prosperous future.

Protecting forests linked to biodiversity conservation

In recent years, Viet Nam has been recognized as one of the leading countries in Asia for forest restoration and sustainable forest management. The forest coverage rate has remained stable at over 42%, playing an important role in environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic development.

At Cuc Phuong, the first national park in Viet Nam, forest protection goes beyond preserving trees; it is closely tied to conserving the rhythms of wildlife.

Practically, the park’s buffer zone spans three provinces: Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Phu Tho (formerly Hoa Binh), with over 80,000 residents, mostly from the Muong ethnic group. However, the livelihoods of local people remain challenging, with limited infrastructure and heavy dependence on forest resources.

Mr. Le Trong Dat, Head of the Science and International Cooperation Department at Cuc Phuong National Park, explained that, understanding the difficulties faced by local communities, the park has implemented various sustainable livelihood models in communes such as Yen Tri, Ky Phu, and Thach Lam.

“Residents are supported with crop seeds, livestock, deer farming, or opportunities to participate in ecotourism and environmental education projects. These models not only help increase income but, more importantly, shift awareness, gradually reducing the buffer-zone community’s dependence on natural resource exploitation,” Mr. Dat said.

“There are values you can only feel when you are truly connected with the forest,” shared Mr. Pham Phu Cuong, a forest ranger at Cuc Phuong. “Protecting the forest is not just a duty, it is about understanding and respecting every breath of nature. We learn to ‘listen to the forest’ to understand the natural growth rhythms of its species.”

From this deep understanding, Cuc Phuong has become a pioneer in researching and successfully developing artificial food for the Javan pangolin - a highly sensitive species. This initiative has helped the park maintain the health of rescued individuals and successfully support the birth of more than 10 baby pangolins right at the center.

The animal care process here, from spotted deer and pangolins to rare turtle species, is strictly managed before any release back into the wild. For forestry workers, the ultimate goal is to return these “children of the forest” to their true home.

Through these conservation stories, every visitor to Cuc Phuong is not just a tourist - they become an “ambassador,” helping to spread the message of forest protection to the wider community.