Vietnam surpasses national target with 1.4 billion new trees in five years
Vietnam has exceeded its nationwide tree-planting target by nearly 44%, marking one of the most successful large-scale reforestation efforts in the world.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam has planted over 1.4 billion trees during 2021–2025, exceeding the national target by nearly 44% and becoming one of the few countries to complete a large-scale tree-planting program with outstanding results.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment announced the achievement today (December 5) in the central coastal city of Danang during the national review conference of the One-Billion-Tree Program.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Economic & Urban Newspaper Nguyen Xuan Khanh joins in a mangrove planting program in the the southern province of Soc Trang. Photo: The Hanoi Times.
Over the past five years, the ministry issued detailed implementation plans and guided localities as they reviewed land resources for protection forests, special-use forests, production forests and urban greenery.
Other ministries, provinces, international organizations, businesses and citizens carried out action programs with proactive and innovative approaches.
These efforts enabled Vietnam to plant nearly 574 million scattered trees, including 87.5 million urban trees and 486.4 million rural trees, along with 865 million trees in concentrated forests, equal to 429,120 hectares of newly established forest.
Many provinces posted strong results, including Phu Tho (177.9 million trees), Lao Cai (108.8 million), An Giang (98.5 million), Lang Son (96.3 million), Lam Dong (80.6 million), Tay Ninh (67.8 million), Quang Ngai (67.2 million), Gia Lai (65.7 million), Nghe An (54.2 million) and Danang (53.5 million).
Localities also expanded urban greenery along sidewalks, parks, schools, hospitals, residential areas and industrial zones to improve landscapes, enhance the environment, support the new rural development program and protect public health.
For example, in June 2025, Economic & Urban Newspaper, the Vietnam Social Welfare Program Support Fund and ActionAid International Vietnam planted 2,025 white mangrove trees in Lai Hoa Commune, Can Tho to protect sea dikes, prevent erosion and stabilize soil.
Hoang Xuan Huy, External Relations Director of WWF Vietnam, said the One-Billion-Tree Program represents an important contribution to global climate-response and nature-restoration efforts.
“Not many countries can complete such a large-scale tree-planting initiative with results as exceptional as Vietnam,” he said.
“Throughout our cooperation, WWF has witnessed many inspiring stories. This effort has grown beyond a government program into a nationwide movement supported by people from all sectors at home and abroad.”
Trieu Van Luc, Deputy Director General of the Forestry Agency and Forest Protection Department, noted that the national tree-planting movement has helped maintain a forest coverage rate of around 42% and strengthen the forestry sector’s role in sustainable development and environmental protection.
