A2.1.3. National REDD+ Program support for objectives of relevant conventions and agreements

National targets linked to conventions

Timeframe

Progress

National Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, Vision to 2030 (2013)

To improve the quality and increase the area of protected ecosystems, ensuring that the area of terrestrial protected areas (TPAs) accounts for 9% of the total territorial area

2020

As of 2018, area of TPAs has reached 2,269,426 ha, accounting for 6.84% of the territorial area.^[1] As of 2021, TPAs covered 7.58%, according to the World Bank.^[2]

The area of special use forest TPAs was to increase to 2.4 million ha by 2020, as set out in Decision 1976/QD-TTg (2014) of the Prime Minister approving the master plan for the national special use forest system.^[1]

Forest coverage reaches 45% (revised to 42%)

2020

Forest cover reached 41.9% in 2019 and 42% in 2020.^[3}.

Primary forest remains at 0.57 million hectares, and is coupled with effective protection plans; mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs are maintained at the current levels

2020

Natural forest cover has increased from 9 million to 10.3 million hectares in 2020.^[3] It is estimated that there are about 0.5 million ha of primary forests in Viet Nam.^[1]

15% of degraded critical ecosystems are restored

2020

According to Viet Nam’s 6th National report to the CBD, there is no data available yet on this target.^[1]

Afforestation and reforestation have contributed to increased forest cover. Concentrated afforestation averaged 227,500 ha/year between 2006 and 2020. In 2019, there was over 4.3 million ha of planted forest area, exceeding the strategic target of 1.5 million ha by 2020 in the Forest Development Strategy (2006-2020).^[4]

The number of internationally-recognized protected areas is increased to 10 Ramsar wetlands, 10 biosphere reserves, and 10 ASEAN heritage parks

2020

Viet Nam has 9 Ramsar Sites with a total area of 120,549 ha, eleven World Biosphere Reserves, and 10 ASEAN heritage parks.^[5]

To improve the quality and populations of endangered, rare and precious species, ensuring that no species become newly extinct, and significantly improve the status of endangered, rare, and threatened species

2020

As of 2014, there were 362 species of animals, and 219 species of plants in Viet Nam listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In the Viet Nam Red Book (2007), the total number of threatened species is listed as 882 species, consisting of 418 animal species and 464 plant species. Through a 2014-2017 project, the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources of the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology updated the Red Book to include 1,211 species with new classifications, an increase on 2007.^[1]

By 2030, 25% of the area of natural ecosystems of international importance will be restored

2030

Not assessed yet.

Interim information: Between 2018 and 2022, the proportion of area of natural forest classified as rich and medium forest slightly increased from 20.95% to 28.48% of total natural forest area, while the proportion of poor forest area also increased from 14.21% to 35.1%. Overall forest cover continued to increase, from 41.65% in 2018 to 42.02% in 2022, due largely to the expansion of forest plantations.^[11]

The area of planted forests (mainly in production forests) increased from 4,178,966 hectares in 2017 to 4,398,031 hectares in 2020.^[14]

By the end of 2021, the total area of newly planted coastal forests from new projects only reached 22,390 hectares, lower than the NRAP plan of 40,000 hectares for the period of 2017-2020.^[12]

Viet Nam’s NBSAP includes the ‘’task’’: Implementation of forest regeneration program using methods and approaches such as biodiversity conservation, enhancing carbon stock, and adaptation and mitigation of climate change:

- Integrate biodiversity conservation targets into the implementation of the national REDD+ action program (NRAP);

- Map areas of high biodiversity value in the REDD+ program; promote the use of native species for forest enrichment and restoration; and contribute to jointly targets on biodiversity conservation and adaptation to climate change;

- Reduce risks to biodiversity from implementation of REDD+ through the application of stringent social and environmental security mechanisms

2020

In Viet Nam, the Forestry Law (2017) requires forestry planning to be consistent with national strategy on biodiversity.^[6]The principles, goal and specific objectives of the NRAP^[7] refer to the conservation and enhancement of natural forests, and REDD+ measures include a number that will contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, including ‘’models for natural forests enhancement, protection and conservation, including in natural production forests and special use forests, and forest rehabilitation and enrichment with native species’’.

A 2023 preliminary analysis conducted under the REDD-pac project of the potential of REDD+ to deliver biodiversity conservation benefits in Viet Nam including mapping spatial distribution of carbon stocks and parameters for biodiversity.^[8] In addition, the national guidelines for the development of Provincial REDD+ Action Plans also provide direction on environmental and social benefit and risk assessment, and require compilation of maps related to forests, such as the three forest management categories (including special use and protection forests).^[9]

6. Nam’s safeguards approach, including national clarification of the safeguards, assessment of REDD+ benefits and risks, and parameters in its SIS, consider potential risks to biodiversity and ecosystem services, as well as potential benefits. See Safeguard E.

National Strategy for Biodiversity until 2030 and Vision to 2050

Expand and improve the effectiveness in managing natural heritage and sanctuary systems so that: area of land sanctuaries accounts for 9% of total land area; area of sea and coastal sanctuaries accounts for 3 - 5% of total national seawaters; 70% of sanctuaries and natural heritages are assessed for management effectiveness; internationally recognized natural areas: 15 wetlands of international importance (Ramsar sites), 14 biosphere reserves, ASEAN Heritage Parks; national forest cover is maintained within 42% - 43%; recover at least 20% of degraded natural ecosystems.

2030

Not yet assessed.

Effectively preserve wild species, especially endangered, rare, and precious species prioritized for protection and migrating species; prevent any additional extinct species; population of at least 10 endangered, rare, precious species are prioritized for protection is improved; stored and preserved genetic resources of wild species and plants, domestic animals reach at least 100.000 genetic resources.

2030

Not yet assessed.

Value of biodiversity and ecosystem services are assessed, maintained, and improved via the sustainable use and limited negative impacts on biodiversity; nature-based solutions are implemented and applied in socio-economic development, natural disaster prevention, and adaptation to climate change; promote access and sharing of benefits offered by the use of genetic resources on an equal and reasonable basis.

2030

Not yet assessed.

National voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality targets for the period 2017-2020 with vision to 2030 (2017)

Forest protection in 1,000,000 ha in the North West, Highlands, South Central with local resources and 2,000,000 ha with international support

2020

Data per region not available yet.

Nationally in 2020, total forest area of Viet Nam was 14.677 million ha, of which 10.279 million ha of natural forests and 4.398 million ha of planted forests. By purpose of use, there were 4.686 million ha of protection forests, 2.173 million ha of special use forests, and 7.818 million ha of production forests.^[14]

In 2023 Viet Nam had over 14.86 million ha of forest, including 10.13 million ha of natural forests and 4.73 million ha of planted forests. There were 3.12 million ha of protection forests, 2.17 million ha of special use forests, and 9.57 million ha of production forests.^[13]

Natural forest restoration in 160,000 ha in the North West, Highlands, South Central with local resources and 250,000 ha with international support

2020

Data per region not available yet.

Afforestation in 275,000 ha in the North West, Highland, South Central with local resources and 100,000 ha with international support

2020

Data per region not available yet.

Concentrated afforestation achieved an average of 227,500 ha/year between 2006 and 2020. In 2019, there was over 4.3 million ha of planted forest area in Viet Nam.^[10]

The area of planted forest reached 4,398,030 hectares in 2020. The total planted forest area of special use and protection forest by 2010 was 779,300 ha, and by 2020 was 706,790 ha.^[14]
 

Forest plantation with large timber species in 80,000 ha in the North West, South Central with local resources and 100,000 ha with international support

2020

Data per region not available yet.

According to the draft NRAP review report (2024), the area of large timber plantations in 2020 reached about 243,400 ha (including about 126,000 hectares of plantations converted from small timber to large timber), exceeding the target set by NRAP (150,000 hectares).

Updated NDC targets (2022)

Overall target: Viet Nam will have reduced its GHG emissions by 15.8% compared to the BAU scenario by 2030 with its own domestic resources, equivalent to 146.3 million tonnes CO2eq.
This contribution can be raised up to 43.5% with international support through bilateral as well as multilateral cooperation and the implementation of new mechanisms under the Paris Agreement

2030

No data on GHG emissions reductions since 2020 available yet.

Annual emission reductions (18.3 MtCO2/year) and removals 38.5 MtCO2/year) during 2010-2018 suggest progress in protection and reforestation in Viet Nam’s forests.^[10]

The expected contribution of the LULUCF sector to GHG emissions reductions is 1% with domestic resources (9.3 MtCO2e) and 1.3% with international support (11.9 MtCO2e).^[15]