The strategy was revealed by forestry department director Nguyen Ngoc Binh during a national forestry strategy seminar in Hanoi.

The plans involve the development of 4 million ha of natural production forests, which will supply 45 million m3 of timber annually, earning about US$4bn in export revenues.

Vietnam’s forestry sector also aims to raise its production value by 4-5% per year, creating an additional two million jobs.

Meanwhile, the ministry of agriculture and rural development is proceeding with a forest land allocation and lease programme, which will see 8 million ha of forests allocated to farmer families and co-operatives. The state will also run around 8 million ha of forests.