Vietnam boasts 14.6 million ha of forest in 2019 (Photo: VNA)

Of the total, 10.3 million ha are natural forests while planted forests covered 4.3 million ha, the ministry said.

The ministry has assigned the Vietnam Administration of Forestry to establish a national forest resource database to serve the management, exploitation and use of forest resources nationwide.

People's Committees of provinces and cities have been tasked with assigning People's Committees of districts and communes to perform State management in accordance with the provisions of the Forestry Law, and update relevant information the following year.

Localities with reduced natural forest areas in 2019 have been required to clarify the causes behind the situation, take measures to recover the reduced forest areas, and consider the responsibilities of related organisations and individuals, if any./.

VN forest planters hit hard during Covid-19 pandemic

The pandemic has dealt a strong blow to forestry companies.

VN diversifies investments in special-use forests

The government of Vietnam has been trying to diversify investments in special-use forests (SUF) in order to improve financial flows for forest management, protection and conservation activities.