Vietnam plants over 1.4bn trees in 5 years

The conference was aimed at reviewing the implementation of the nationwide one-billion-tree program.

The achievement marks an important contribution to global efforts to combat climate change and restore natural ecosystems.

Ministries, local authorities, organizations, businesses, and citizens across the country have actively embraced the prime minister’s Decision No. 524 issued in 2021 to approve the 'one-billion tree’ program during the 2021-25 period, according to the department.

Many provinces and ministries introduced creative approaches that helped accelerate and expand the initiative, while a number of organizations, international partners, NGOs, and residents joined hands to plant and protect trees.

As a result, Vietnam planted 1.439 billion trees during the period, surpassing the program’s target by nearly 44 percent.

The total comprised 573 million scattered trees and 865 million trees grown in concentrated plantations, equivalent to 429,125ha of forest.

Total funding for the program from 2021 to 2025 reached some VND15.3 trillion (US$580 million), with more than VND7 trillion ($265 million) mobilized through social contributions.

Officials described this as an encouraging sign of strong public engagement in national reforestation efforts.

Global standout in large-scale reforestation

Hoang Xuan Huy, external relations director at WWF Vietnam, called the initiative a vital contribution to global climate adaptation and nature-recovery efforts.

The result demonstrates Vietnam’s strong commitments to environmental protection and global climate action.

He emphasized that not many countries worldwide have successfully rolled out such a large-scale reforestation program with outstanding results like Vietnam.

“Throughout the program’s rollout, WWF witnessed mountainous regions expanding protective forest cover despite difficult conditions, while coastal communities diligently restored mangrove forests to combat erosion," he said

“Schools, businesses, and local residents also planted trees around their campuses, workplaces, and neighborhoods, creating a broad, society-wide movement."

Tradition of caring for environment

Trieu Van Luc, deputy director of the department, highlighted that tree planting has long been a cultural tradition in Vietnam.

The effort helps maintain the national forest-cover rate at around 42 percent while reinforcing the important role of the forestry sector in economic development, environmental protection, and climate resilience.

Luc urged local authorities, agencies, and organizations to continue promoting and sustaining the tree-planting movement.

He called on communities and individuals nationwide to keep supporting tree and forest planting, as well as forest protection.

He stressed the importance of planting large-timber forests and high-value native species to improve the economic and ecological benefits of planted forests, enhance carbon absorption, and help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.