Viet Nam accelerates completion of the forest plantation code system

From management agencies and international donors to local practices, delegates at the workshop “Forest plantation codes associated with the implementation of sustainable forest management and forest certification” held on November 6 agreed that Viet Nam needs to quickly complete its forest code system to control the legal origin of timber and comply with new standards such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Transparency in forest management

Nguyen Van Dien, Deputy Director of the Department of Viet Nam Forestry Administration (VNFOREST), emphasized that the forest plantation code is an important step in modernizing the forestry sector. “The code not only helps identify each specific forest area but also connects data between forest owners, management agencies, and processing-exporting enterprises,” he said.

This system enables transparent forest management, facilitates forest certification, and meets the requirements for legal timber traceability in demanding markets. Once the EUDR comes into effect, Vietnamese wood exporters will be required to prove that their materials are not linked to deforestation, land degradation, or conservation violations.

“We are under pressure to change, but if we act proactively, Viet Nam can absolutely turn compliance requirements into a competitive advantage,” Dien added. He also shared that the Department has coordinated with the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences to pilot the issuance of forest plantation codes in five northern mountainous provinces.

Initial results showed that this model improved raw material traceability and facilitated enterprises in applying for forest certification according to international standards.

However, implementation remains challenging due to the lack of synchronized databases among provinces, limited technical capacity, and, notably, the lack of awareness among small enterprises regarding the importance of forest codes for export.

“The Department will continue to provide guidance, improve technical procedures, and advise the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to issue specific regulations to unify the national management mechanism for forest plantation codes,” he said.

International cooperation – leverage for sustainable forest management

According to Le Thu Huong, representative of the French Development Agency (AFD), Viet Nam’s establishment of forest plantation codes aligns with the global trend of responsible natural resource management. She cited the “Promoting Biodiversity Commitments” (BIODEV2030) Initiative funded by AFD, which is being implemented in 16 countries to integrate biodiversity considerations into economic development decision-making.

“BIODEV2030 is not just a project but a new approach for countries to pursue economic growth without compromising the environment,” Huong said. In Viet Nam, the program has facilitated dialogue among government agencies, enterprises, and social organizations to identify economic sectors that have a significant impact on forests, including agriculture, infrastructure, and the wood processing industry.

According to her, BIODEV2030 will focus on promoting voluntary commitments among stakeholders and providing technical support for the forestry sector in developing and operating a unified forest code system. “AFD hopes to cooperate long-term with Viet Nam so that these efforts do not stop at regulations but become practical tools for green development,” she expressed.

Sharing the same view, Nguyen Bich Hang, representative of WWF Viet Nam, affirmed that the forest plantation code not only helps Viet Nam proactively adapt to the EUDR but also establishes the foundation to position the country as a supplier of legal timber in the global market.

The representative of WWF Viet Nam also emphasized the role of BIODEV2030 in supporting the Department of Viet Nam Forestry Administration in standardizing data, providing technical guidance, and communicating with enterprises, thereby enhancing local capacity in issuing forest codes. Once the system is fully operational, Viet Nam will be able to prove the legality of timber sources more easily, expanding access to high-end markets.

“The connection between forest plantation codes, forest certification, and legal timber traceability will create a consistent management framework from planting and harvesting to processing and export. This is the foundation for Viet Nam to move toward a green and responsible forestry industry,” Hang asserted.

From forest management to a national brand for legal timber

At the workshop, delegates focused on four key discussion areas: assessing the current status of forest code implementation and related technical and legal challenges; identifying the linkages between forest plantation codes, sustainable forest management, forest certification, and legal timber traceability; proposing coordination mechanisms between state agencies, enterprises, and certification organizations; and promoting digital technology in traceability by connecting plantation data with the national forest monitoring system.

Through these discussions, delegates reached consensus that each forest area with an assigned code represents digitalized production data that can be verified and shared among stakeholders – a standard required by developed markets.

Nguyen Van Dien noted that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is considering integrating forest codes into the national monitoring system, alongside forest certification and legal timber traceability programs. “The goal is to ensure transparency across the entire value chain, from afforestation to processing and export,” he emphasized.

Vietnam’s forest product export value in 2024 was approximately USD 17.3 billion, with over 500,000 direct workers in the sector. The forest plantation code system is expected to further develop the forestry industry, particularly in traceability and value chain integration.