Phú Thọ is encouraging larger-diameter timber, better planting stock and sustainable forest management to raise plantation value. Experience in Lạc Sơn suggests that technical improvements need to be accompanied by reliable processing-industry partnerships.
Longer rotations require financial capacity
Bùi Văn Đùng's family in Mường Cháy, Lạc Sơn Commune, has expanded its forest from just over one hectare to six hectares during nearly 20 years of planting. Previously, the family harvested acacia on roughly five-year rotations, producing 70–80 tonnes per hectare. Participation in a growers' group brought silvicultural training and greater attention to quality.
More than 6,100 hectares across eight communes in the former Lạc Sơn area hold FSC certification. Local assessments suggest certified timber can generate 15–20% higher income, although results depend on species, quality, prices and sales arrangements. Larger timber can serve processing uses beyond short-rotation chips and pellets, but rotations exceeding ten years are difficult for households with limited capital.
Linking certification with factory demand
The Hòa Bình wood-pellet factory in Đại Đồng buys FSC material from growers and associated groups. It reports annual output of around 150,000 tonnes, depending on market conditions, and more than 120 local jobs. Certified forests in its Lạc Sơn partnership supply about 40% of material demand.
Province-wide, large-timber forests cover over 28,500 hectares and sustainably certified forests cover 67,200 hectares. Planned 2026 concentrated planting is 19,500 hectares, with timber harvests projected at about 1.785 million cubic metres. Forestry authorities continue to emphasise planting quality, technical support, forest protection and processor links.