In 2010, the Vietnamese government initiated the Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) program to conserve forests and improve local livelihoods. While some researches have demonstrated the effectiveness of PFES, other studies reported inappropriate implementation and distribution at the initial stage. This study aimed to examine how PFES was implemented, and explore the challenges of forest protection efforts faced by the local people under PFES. Thua Thien Hue province was the first province to adjust the distribution of payments according to the type and quality of the forest using the K-coefficient. We conducted in-depth interviews with relevant staff and officials and organized focus group discussions with local people in seven payment areas in the province. The findings showed that the K-coefficient applied in this study was composed of four elements: forest condition (K1), forest function (K2), forest origin (K3), and the difficulty of forest protection (K4). However, forest condition (K1) was the only factor that could increase the efforts of the local people toward forest conservation. The capacity of the staff played an essential role in PFES distribution for local people. Additionally, establishing the relevant institutions and encouraging participation at the local level can increase forest conservation effectiveness. However, there is a lack of regulations for dealing with violations under the current rules. In conclusion, this study recommends expanding the range to calculate payouts, thereby increasing remuneration and motivation for the local people to be involved in forest conservation.

In 2010, Vietnam implemented the payment for forest environmental services (PFES) program that was expected to bring additional income to local people and improve the efficiency of forest protection. However, factors affecting the motivation to participate in PFES have rarely been examined. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify factors that influence local people’s participation in PFES, (2) examine how local people participating in the PFES program were involved in decision-making in the Thua Thien Hue Province, and (3) assess PFES impact on local people. We conducted a field survey of 32 households at the study site. We found no difference in the access to PFES between poor and non-poor households. Participation in PFES was considered a reward for labor work in forests and a means to compensate for the legal rights of participants. Local people could participate at many stages of PFES implementation; however, they were only passive spectators with regards to PFES management. Two-thirds of the participants did not participate in decision-making regarding PFES distribution. We conclude that the efficiency of future PFES programs may be increased by enabling and stimulating the participants to take a more active part in the process of PFES management and distribution.

Vietnam’s forestry policies have expanded the area of planted forests in order to meet the supply of raw materials for the timber processing industry. However, the diversity and volume of demand in the industry have also increased, and a shortage of raw materials can be assumed. For clarifying the correspondence of stakeholders, we explore changes in the resource supply behavior of forestry companies and procurement strategies of companies that manufacture lumber for glued laminated timber, medium density fiberboard (MDF) and wood pellets. Next, we discuss issues and future developments surrounding the supply and demand for timber from planted forests. According to a survey of Quang Tri Province, both industrial and on-farm tree planting play an important role in Vietnam’s wood industry. The origin of the supply has been categorized according to its purpose (products). On the other hand, with the declining supply of imported timber and natural forest timber, inquiries from sawmills and glued laminated timber factories for timber from planted forests have increased, and wood pellet manufacturers are facing competition for raw material procurement with MDF manufacturers, and the supply of timber from planted forests is becoming scarce. The key to the solution lies in improving the low productivity of current on-farm tree planting. To this end, forming farmer groups upon the acquisition of forest certification will help achieve economies of scale and bargaining power.

In the inland sandy areas along the central coast of Vietnam, there is a specific type of ecosystem that local people call a sand forest. Over time, despite many economic, political, and social upheavals, local people in some places still maintain these sand forests. In this study, we aimed to investigate the determinants and challenges of community sand forest management in coastal north central Vietnam. For this purpose, we explore insights regarding the changing roles of sand forests in community perception, community challenges, and the role of stakeholders in sand forest management. We then discuss policy implications for sustainable sand forest management. By applying focus group discussions, household surveys, and in-depth interviews, this study found that local people have used village conventions to manage the sand forest for hundreds of years because they have been aware of the role of the sand forest in daily life, especially the spiritual and environmental roles of the sand forest. However, sand forest management is confusing and inefficient due to the neglect of the role of traditional organizations. Along with this, local people face several challenges, such as conflicts over the use of sand forests, and a lack of recognition of the community’s legal rights to such forests. Based on these results, some policy implications are proposed, such as strengthening the participation of related stakeholders, and providing coordination between traditional organizations and local authorities in forest management and conflict management in forest use. It is necessary to promote the allocation of sand forests to local communities so that they have the legal rights to effectively manage and protect their forests and to obtain potential benefits in the future.

Japan’s postwar policies with respect to forestry management have led to the aging of planted forests and a shift toward large-diameter logs that has created a challenge for how to use such logs in the lumber manufacturing industry. In recent years, medium-diameter logs have been the predominant type, and there has been less demand for large-diameter logs. This study examines the Japanese lumber manufacturing industry’s consumption of domestic timber using survey data from 21 member companies of the Domestic Timber Sawmill Association. The results suggest that regional characteristics and the tree species consumed are the two main factors that drive the decision to use large-diameter logs. While current demand for large-diameter logs is considered low, the results show that demand is present, and there are signs of growing consumption of these logs within the lumber manufacturing industry. As the current machinery that handles medium-diameter logs depreciates, it is expected that companies will respond by either introducing machinery that can accommodate large-diameter logs or changing their products.