Rubberwood Development Solutions for 2021–2030

Under Vietnam’s National Master Plan for Sustainable and Efficient Wood Processing Industry Development (2021–2030), the country aims to produce 7–8 million cubic meters of rubberwood annually from 25,000–30,000 hectares of replanted rubber trees. This volume will provide large-diameter timber and meet 18–20% of Vietnam’s total raw wood demand.


Government Plan to Build a Sustainable Wood Industry

The plan, approved by the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 327/QĐ-TTg (March 10, 2022), emphasizes the development of a sustainable, efficient, and high-tech wood processing industry that covers the entire value chain — from forest planting and harvesting to processing and trade.

The strategy calls for ensuring legal and traceable wood sources, promoting environmentally friendly processing technologies, and producing high value-added, deeply processed wood products. It also encourages participation from all economic sectors and mobilizes public and private resources to expand Vietnam’s wood industry.

The overarching goal is for Vietnam’s wood-processing industry to become a pillar of the national economy by 2030, building a trusted “Vietnam Wood” brand domestically and internationally, and positioning Vietnam among the world’s leading producers and exporters of wood and wood products.


Key Targets by 2030

  • Over 80% of processing and preservation facilities will reach advanced technological levels.

  • 100% of wood used for domestic consumption and export will be sourced from legal and sustainably managed forests.

  • Develop 1 million hectares of certified sustainable forests by 2030 (0.5 million ha by 2025).

  • Achieve 27 million m³ of plantation timber harvests by 2025, and over 35 million m³ by 2030.

  • Supply 7–8 million m³ of rubberwood annually from replanted rubber areas to meet about 80% of domestic wood-processing demand.


Major Solutions for Implementation

The plan outlines multiple coordinated solutions to guide ministries, local authorities, associations, and enterprises. Key directions include:

  1. Market and Communication Strategies

    • Enhance market intelligence and risk prevention.

    • Promote awareness of global timber legality frameworks and import regulations.

    • Strengthen the global image and branding of the Vietnamese wood industry.

  2. Investment in Research and Technology

    • Apply advanced biotechnology and mechanization in tree breeding, cultivation, harvesting, and processing.

    • Increase wood productivity, quality, and value through innovation.

    • Protect industrial designs and technical solutions developed for wood processing.

  3. Forest Management and Tree Improvement

    • Promote intensive plantation forestry to improve forest yields and quality.

    • Ensure 95% of planted forests use high-quality, traceable, and certified seedlings.

  4. Enterprise–Forest Owner Linkages

    • Encourage partnerships between wood-processing enterprises and forest owners to create large, sustainable timber zones.

    • Support enterprises in obtaining forest certification (VFCS/PEFC/FSC) and building supply chain traceability (CoC).

  5. Integration with National Programs

    • Align with the “One Billion Trees” initiative to enhance environmental sustainability.

    • Optimize the use of nearly 1 million hectares of rubber plantations, including 25,000–30,000 hectares of annual replanting, to supply certified timber for both latex and wood production.


Financial and Administrative Framework

Funding for the plan will come from:

  • State budgets (central and local levels),

  • International aid and partnerships,

  • Private and corporate investments aligned with national regulations.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will lead implementation, coordinating with the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Science and Technology, Finance, Industry and Trade, and Labor. Provincial authorities, associations, and enterprises will collaborate closely to ensure effective execution.


Rubber Group’s Key Role in Sustainable Forestry

By the end of 2021, the Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) had 12 member companies certified for sustainable rubber-forest management (VFCS/PEFC-FM) on 70,000 hectares, along with 22 rubber-processing factories.

By late 2022, VRG expects to expand to 130,000 hectares of certified rubber plantations and 43 certified processing plants, including three rubberwood factories. These certified facilities will serve as a foundation for producing sustainably managed rubberwood and latex, supporting the national goal of sustainable forest and wood industry development through 2030.