On August 8, at the Reunification Hall in Ho Chi Minh City, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Member of the Politburo, chaired the Conference on Strategies and Solutions for the Rapid and Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Wood Processing and Export Industry. The event gathered leaders from ministries, agencies, and enterprises to discuss the future direction of Vietnam’s forestry and wood export sector.
Vietnam Ranks 5th Worldwide in Wood Exports
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In recent years, Vietnam’s wood processing and forest product industry has become one of the country’s key export sectors, contributing significantly to trade surplus growth.
In 2017, export value reached over USD 8 billion, an eightfold increase compared to 2005 and a 10% rise from 2016. By the end of July 2018, exports had totaled USD 5.3 billion, up 13.6% year-on-year.
Currently, Vietnam has 4,500 enterprises in the sector, including 3,900 domestic companies and 600 foreign-invested firms, employing over 500,000 workers.
Vietnam now ranks:
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1st in ASEAN,
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2nd in Asia, and
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5th globally in wood and forest product exports,
with products shipped to over 120 countries and territories worldwide.
Over the past decade, from a modest starting point, the sector’s export turnover has grown from USD 2.3 billion (2007) to over USD 8 billion (2017) — a 2.7-fold increase. With a trade surplus ratio above 70% and value-added exceeding 40%, the industry has surpassed the targets set by Vietnam’s Forestry Development Strategy 2006–2020, solidifying its role as a core export pillar among agricultural, forestry, and fishery sectors.
A National Priority Export Industry
In his address, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc affirmed the strategic importance of the wood processing and forest product industry in Vietnam’s socioeconomic development.
He emphasized that this is a high trade-surplus sector, contributing significantly to national exports. The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to make wood processing and forest products a spearhead export industry within the next 10 years.
The Prime Minister declared:
“Vietnam must become one of the world’s leading centers for high-quality furniture production — based on legal timber sources, meeting both domestic and international demand.
This is not about developing at any cost, but about sustainable and responsible growth, protecting the environment while enhancing competitiveness.”
Eight Key Solutions for Sustainable Growth
Prime Minister Phúc outlined eight major solutions to ensure the sector’s rapid and sustainable development:
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Promote the new Forestry Law (2018) across all levels and sectors.
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Expand plantation forests, increasing yield and quality.
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Foster creativity and innovation to enhance product value.
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Develop a high-quality workforce to meet modern production demands.
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Adopt advanced science and technology, leveraging the Industry 4.0 revolution.
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Strengthen both domestic and international market development.
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Raise public awareness to eliminate the use of illegal timber.
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Encourage proactive international integration, fulfilling global trade commitments.
Ambitious Export Targets
The Prime Minister set clear goals:
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By 2020: Export turnover of USD 12–13 billion;
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By 2025: USD 18–20 billion, positioning Vietnam as a top-tier furniture production hub in the global supply chain.
These directions mark a new chapter for Vietnam’s wood processing and forest product export industry, aligning growth with sustainability, legality, and global responsibility.