In fact, new species are still being discovered every year in the forests of Vietnam, like the Elfin Mountain toad and the Crocodile lizard. However, according to Global Forest Watch, from 2001 to 2018, Vietnam lost over 2.6 million hectares of tree cover, equivalent to a 16% decrease in tree cover since 2000. 

Viet Nam’s forests are under threat. Timber exports are booming in Viet Nam, doubling in value to 9 billion USD between 2012 and 2018. Although the timber processing industry in Vietnam has helped in creating jobs and improving the lives of thousands of large and small-scale forest owners and local communities, it has big impacts on the forest protection and management of not just Viet Nam, but also neighboring countries like Lao and Cambodia. Additionally, agricultural expansion threatens primary forests in and around protected areas, destroying crucial wildlife habitats and robbing everyone of valuable ecosystem services like clean water and air. 

WWF is working to create a balance between conserving and restoring forest ecosystems and their biodiversity, while ensuring the development of social and economic conditions and livelihoods in a sustainable way. 

WWF-Vietnam’s strategy includes:

1. Mitigating the footprint of the Vietnamese forest sector domestically and globally
2. Ensuring forests in Protected Areas in the Central Annamites Landscape are under sufficient protection or improved management
3. Expanding the forest area under formal protection and ensuring effective conservation
4. Conserving watershed protection forests using sustainable forest management plans
5. Increasing the number of well-managed forests under credible certification with improving forest quality
6. Engaging more communities in sustainable forest management and protection to improve local livelihoods through sustainable financing mechanisms
7. Restoring important forest corridors and fragmented areas
8. Maintaining a rate of natural forest cover loss below 0.3%
9. Continuing to explore innovative intervention strategies to enhance forest protection and biodiversity conservation 

A landscape approach is necessary to ensure that the needs of all groups that have a stake in the health of the forest are taken into account. This approach engages all stakeholders in priority landscapes, including government, private sector partners, local communities and civil society organizations. By working together, we develop solutions that work for everyone and ensure positive conservation outcomes in Vietnam’s most ecologically important areas for current and future generations. Learn more about the Forest Solutions external platform at http://forestsolutions.panda.org.