Vietnam Advances National Forest Database by 2026 to Protect Forests, Ensure Timber Export Compliance, and Safeguard Global Sustainability for Businesses and Consumers – New Update You Need to Know

Published on February 13, 2026

Vietnam latest news highlights a major push to finalize the Việt Nam forest database by 2026, a critical step for the country’s forestry sector. The initiative, led by the Forestry and Forest Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, is designed to help the timber industry meet the European Union’s strict anti-deforestation rules, ensuring timber export compliance while advancing sustainable forestry practices.

This national effort will map provincial forests and provide detailed data on areas at risk of deforestation, giving Vietnamese businesses a clear pathway to maintain and grow international market access.

Why This Database Matters

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) sets strict requirements on importing commodities linked to deforestation or forest degradation. For Vietnamese exporters, compliance means showing transparent traceability data throughout the supply chain, from harvesting to export. Commodities covered by the EUDR include:

• Coffee
• Rubber
• Timber
• Palm oil
• Cocoa
• Soy
• Cattle

Officials emphasize that any product tied to deforestation after December 31, 2020, risks being rejected under EU rules. A complete Việt Nam forest database is therefore essential for businesses to track their supply chain accurately and maintain credibility in international markets.

Key Goals of the Action Plan

The government has outlined a clear roadmap to ensure the forestry sector aligns with international standards:

• Identify and disclose high-risk coffee, rubber, and timber areas
• Upgrade digital systems to track traceability data and integrate them with sustainable forest management certificates
• Strengthen legal frameworks supporting green growth and circular economy initiatives
• Issue official EUDR compliance guidelines for the timber industry by December 2026
• Publish comprehensive forest boundary maps across all provinces by the end of the year
• Adopt EU-aligned monitoring indicators to track deforestation and forest degradation

Completing these steps will provide a solid foundation for both forest management and export verification.

Six Areas of Focus for Implementation

To make this plan a reality, the Forestry and Forest Protection Department is concentrating on six priority areas:

1. International cooperation – Collaborating with the EU and its Joint Research Centre on monitoring methods and certification
2. Improved monitoring – Using new technologies and EU-aligned indicators to track deforestation risk
3. Stakeholder engagement – Guiding businesses and local authorities in implementing the EUDR effectively
4. Legal reforms – Updating regulations to match international requirements and support sustainable practices
5. Technical infrastructure upgrades – Creating a unified platform for forest mapping, traceability, and certificate management
6. Enforcement capacity building – Training officials to manage databases, inspect compliance, and ensure transparency

Leveraging Technology

Digital innovation is central to this initiative. By integrating advanced spatial data systems, Vietnam aims to:

• Link traceability data to certification and plantation codes
• Align forest monitoring with EU standards
• Facilitate mutual recognition for legal timber certification, easing export procedures

These technological improvements will give regulators, businesses, and stakeholders access to real-time forest data, making decision-making faster and more accurate.

Benefits for Vietnamese Timber Exports

Trương Tất Đơ from the Forestry and Forest Protection Department points out that the Việt Nam forest database is not only about compliance—it’s a gateway to premium markets worldwide. Key points about the EUDR:

• Effective from December 30 for large and medium enterprises
• Will cover small and micro businesses from June 30, 2027
• Applies across all stages of the supply chain, from harvesting to export

This means that Vietnamese timber exporters must prove timber export compliance to retain access to the EU and other high-end markets.

Export Trends and Market Impact

Recent Vietnam latest news reports show strong performance in timber and forestry exports:

• January 2026: Agro-forestry-fishery exports totaled $6.51 billion, up 29.5% year-on-year
• Timber and wood products reached $1.72 billion, a 13% increase from the previous year
• 2025 saw total wood exports hit a record $17.2 billion
• Leading markets include the US (55%), Japan (12.5%), and China (12.1%)
• Direct EU exports represent around 4.8–5.2% but are crucial for global sustainability recognition

Completing the forest database ensures that Vietnam latest news continues to reflect growth while meeting rising environmental standards.

Strengthening Sustainable Forestry

Beyond legal compliance, this initiative strengthens sustainable forestry by:

• Improving transparency through forest boundary maps and real-time monitoring
• Protecting biodiversity and reducing the impact of forest degradation
• Providing clear traceability data for regulators, businesses, and stakeholders
• Supporting circular economy practices and green growth strategies

The program demonstrates Vietnam’s commitment to balancing economic development with ecological responsibility.

Working with International Partners

Việt Nam is collaborating closely with the EU to harmonize forest mapping and monitoring. Partnerships include:

• Sharing risk assessment methodologies and monitoring indicators
• Coordinating with the EU Joint Research Centre to align databases
• Exploring mutual recognition of legal timber certification to streamline exports

This cooperation ensures that Vietnamese timber meets the highest standards and strengthens timber export compliance globally.

Looking Forward

With the completion of the Việt Nam forest database by 2026, the country is taking a major step toward meeting international sustainability and trade requirements. By focusing on sustainable forestry, forest boundary maps, and traceability data, Việt Nam:

• Protects forests while sustaining timber exports
• Maintains access to key international markets
• Demonstrates a transparent and forward-thinking approach to forest management

In short, this initiative positions Việt Nam as a leader in responsible forestry governance, blending economic growth with environmental stewardship, according to the latest government reports. Vietnam latest news continues to reflect progress in forestry, with this database marking a milestone in ensuring long-term timber export compliance and sustainability.