With its vast forest land, Da Bac district has focused on reforestation and developing forest economy over the past few years to improve livelihoods and increase income for local residents.
People in Rang village, Cao Son commune have got better
incomes through forest planting.
Cao Son is one of the communes that has seen significant growth in its forest
economy, with nearly 2,530 ha of forest, including over 1,340 ha of planted
forest. In 2024, the commune harvested 84.6 ha of production forest that had
reached the harvesting cycle, generating a total revenue of 10.7 billion VND
(420,000 USD) from forestry activities.
Vice Chairman of the Cao Son People's Committee Ban Van Xuan
said that local residents are further engaged in forest economic development.
As a result, the harvesting of young timber has decreased, with many households
waiting until their trees are 6 to 7 years old for better economic value.
Recently, responding to the commune’s tree planting festival, the commune
successfully plante 9,360 trees. It is expected to plant 78 ha of forest in
2025.
In the commune’s Rang village, forestry planting is the primary source of
income for residents, with over 200 ha of production forest.
Luong Van Hau, head of the village, noted that 2024 marks a
significant harvesting period for villagers, with more than 40 ha ready for
harvest. With a planting cycle of 6 to 7 years, each hectare of planted trees
yields an income of 75 to 80 million VND. After harvesting, villagers promptly
clear the land to replant for a new cycle, focusing on species such as acacia,
bodhi, and eucalyptus.
Reforestation is not only for timber but also serves as
pastureland for livestock, Hau said.
Tan Minh commune is also thriving in production forest planting.
Chairman of the commune People's Committee Quach Cong Khang said that due to
Typhoon Yagi in 2024, over 200 ha of forest in the commune were damaged, and
growers had to harvest young timber in many areas. After the Lunar New Year
celebration, residents focused on replanting these areas.
The commune targeted to plant 100 ha of forest in 2025 but so
far this year, it has planted 245 ha already, mostly acacia and bodhi species.
Additionally, the commune is surveying to pilot
cinnamon planting in several villages. The local authorities encourage
residents to grow larger timber species to enhance economic efficiency in the
coming time while utilising forested hills for compatible livestock farming.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Da Bac district,
the district plans to plant over 34,000 saplings of various types. With its
advantages, Da Bac identified that developing the forest economy is crucial for
increasing people' incomes. Therefore, the district has directed efforts to
strengthen forest protection, establish new production forests and protection,
gradually transforming small timber forests into large timber production areas
to improve forest quality and productivity.
The steering committee for key projects of Hoa Binh province convened on May 14 to assess the progress of major ongoing developments
A delegation of Hoa Binh province has attended the "Meet Korea 2025" event, recently held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Vietnam, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, and the People's Committee of Hung Yen province.
Hoa Binh province joined Vietnam’s national "One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) programme in 2019, not simply as a mountainous region following central policy, but with a clear vision to revive the cultural and agricultural values in its villages and crops.
From just 16 certified products in its inaugural year to 158 by early 2025, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme in Hoa Binh province has followed a steady and strategic path. But beyond the numbers, it has reawakened local heritage, turning oranges, bamboo shoots, brocade, and herbal remedies into branded, market-ready goods - and, more profoundly, transformed how local communities value and present their own cultural identity.
"Behind every One Commune One Product (OCOP)-starred product lies a quietly operating support system: technical staff, experts, trade fairs, and e-commerce platforms. OCOP cannot go far without forward-looking policy support," affirmed Nguyen Huy Nhuan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hoa Binh province.
The economic landscape of Hoa Binh province continued its impressive upward trajectory through the first four months of 2025, according to a recent report from the provincial Department of Finance. The local authority has directed departments and sectors to keep close tabs on growth scenarios for each quarters and remove bottlenecks, striving to complete the set growth targets.
