Vietnam – Germany cooperate to enhance transparency in legal timber supply chains

On September 12, in Ho Chi Minh City, within the framework of the forum "Ensuring timber legality for sustainable forestry development in Vietnam," the project "Support to the implementation of VPA/FLEGT in Vietnam" officially concluded after four years of implementation.

The project marked significant achievements in strengthening the legal timber assurance system (VNTLAS), enhancing management capacity, promoting corporate accountability, and developing a digital technology foundation to support sustainable forest governance.

The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in collaboration with the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) from October 2021 to September 2025, with a total budget of €4.3 million.

Mr Christopher Scholl, Deputy Consul General and First Secretary at the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City, assessed that over the past four years, the project has played an important role in advancing the implementation of the VPA/FLEGT Agreement signed between Vietnam and the European Union.

The project has strengthened the Vietnam Timber Legality Assurance System (VNTLAS), implemented capacity-building programs, enhanced the role of verification authorities, promoted accountability in the private sector, and developed a database to support long-term impact monitoring.

Over more than four years of implementation, the project has achieved numerous notable results. More than 100 events were organized, attracting around 2,500 participants; 38 training courses were held for over 1,300 officials, including 377 who received specialized training in verification; 44 policy conferences and roundtables involved more than 1,000 delegates; and direct advisory support was provided to 10 enterprises in establishing timber traceability systems. Notably, the project compiled and issued a standardized training manual to serve the sector in the long term.

A key achievement is the mobile artificial intelligence application for wood identification (WoodID). With a database of over 78,000 images, WoodID can distinguish 260 timber species, has been downloaded more than 8,000 times, and is currently used by customs, forest rangers, enterprises, and researchers, enhancing transparency and efficiency in supply chain management.

“These achievements not only contribute to better forest governance but also strengthen Vietnam’s credibility and accountability in the international timber trade,” emphasized Mr. Christopher Scholl.

Representing Vietnam Customs, Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Chi stated that thanks to the support of the VPA/FLEGT project, numerous training courses from central to local levels have helped enhance the capacity of customs officers in controlling legal timber. The courses not only provided in-depth professional knowledge but also equipped participants with wood identification tools and guidance on carrying out legal procedures according to international standards.

“The international experience gained from these training programs and field surveys is a valuable foundation, helping customs prepare to implement the EU’s new regulations starting January 1, 2026,” emphasized Ms. Chi.

Mr. Truong Quang Hoang, Director of the Vietnam Central Rural Development Center (CRD) and a member of the VPA/FLEGT multi-stakeholder group, stated that the collaborative projects have organized numerous training courses and scientific workshops, helping officials, students, and local communities enhance their expertise. Notably, many research results have been published, widely shared, and integrated into policy, including important contributions to the development of Decree 35 and other forestry-related regulatory documents.

“Participating in the project has helped us gain a deeper understanding of accountability in the timber supply chain, while also creating strong connections between schools, communities, and businesses in protecting and sustainably developing forests,” emphasized Mr. Hoang.

Mr. Tran Tuan Anh, representing the Ho Chi Minh City Handicraft and Wood Industry Association (HAWA), stated that many HAWA members have participated in training courses on VPA/FLEGT and related regulations. In the Southeast and Central regions, where many wood-processing enterprises are concentrated, survey and support programs have helped identify practical needs and design training that is closely aligned with real-world requirements.

“Thanks to this, HAWA enterprises have enhanced transparency, improved management systems, and are better prepared to meet the strict requirements of the U.S. and EU. This forms a foundation for Vietnamese timber to maintain and expand its export markets,” emphasized Mr. Tran Tuan Anh.

Ms. Michaela Baur, Country Director of GIZ Vietnam, evaluated that the project has established a solid foundation for training and expanding a network of experienced experts and instructors, while also encouraging the private sector to uphold accountability, thereby enhancing Vietnam’s credibility in international timber trade.

“These results not only help make Vietnam’s timber industry more transparent and legal but also contribute to forest protection, create sustainable livelihoods for millions of workers, and strengthen Vietnam’s position as a leading global hub for timber processing and export,” she emphasized.

Vietnam reaffirms international commitment

Mr. Nguyen Huu Thien, Deputy Director of the Forestry and Forest Protection Department and Project Director, expressed his gratitude to the German government and GIZ for their continuous support to Vietnam.

According to Mr. Thien, the project’s achievements not only strengthen management capacity and increase transparency in the timber supply chain but also underscore Vietnam’s strong commitment to the international community in fulfilling global responsibilities, aiming for a transparent, sustainable, and accountable forestry sector.

The Forestry and Forest Protection Department is currently directing the operation of VNTLAS, providing legal guidance, enhancing capacity, and developing digital platforms to ensure effective traceability and control of the timber supply chain.

Within the framework of the forum “Ensuring timber legality for sustainable forestry development in Vietnam,” all parties agreed that the project’s accomplishments will continue to serve as a crucial foundation for Vietnam’s timber sector to meet stringent international requirements such as the EUDR, moving toward legal and sustainable timber trade.