New opportunities and breakthrough motivation in wood and forest product processing in Nghe An

On April 10, 2025, the Prime Minister approved the Master Plan for the construction of a high-tech forestry zone in the North Central region by 2045 in Nghe An province. This is an opportunity for Nghe An to make a breakthrough in the production and processing of wood and forest products based on existing potentials, while continuing to research solutions to expand new development space.

Perspective of the central subdivision of the high-tech forestry seedling production center, with an area of ​​48 hectares, in Nghi Lam commune, Nghi Loc district in the past.

Great potential

Nghe An is a province with a large forest area, with a total forest area of ​​nearly 1 million hectares; the total forest coverage of the province is 59.01%. Of which, the planted forest area is more than 246,000 hectares - belonging to the group of localities with the largest planted forest area in the country and considered the "capital" of planted forests in the North Central region, creating a clear comparative advantage for the province in developing the wood and forestry processing industry.

In particular, the source of raw materials from planted forests has grown rapidly in recent years. If in 2020, the output of exploited wood reached 1.3 million m³, by 2024 it will reach nearly 1.8 million m³/year, the average for the period 2020-2024 will reach 1.58 million m³/year.

Planting large timber forests is being implemented by people in many localities in Nghe An. Photo: Mai Hoa

Notably, 32,600 hectares of planted forests have been granted FSC certification, which is the basis for bringing legal and sustainable wood products to high-end markets such as the US, EU, and Japan - markets with strict requirements.

Main products, including wood chips, pellets, resin, MDF boards, wooden furniture and handicrafts, are exported to more than 40 countries, of which China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and India are the main markets.

The mangrove forest in the western region of Nghe An. Photo: Mai Hoa

In the period 2020 - 2024, Nghe An's forestry product export turnover will reach an average of 254 million USD/year, with a record of 304 million USD in 2024 alone.

Currently, the province has more than 1,052 wood and forest product processing establishments, including 5 factories with a capacity of over 100,000 m³/year and many enterprises investing in modern technology. This is an important foundation for Nghe An to develop the wood and forest product processing industry, both serving the domestic market and participating in export.

In addition, Nghe An also has more than 1.94 billion bamboo trees, meters; many precious medicinal plants such as Puxailaileng ginseng, mu tun, yellow flower tea; and rattan materials for handicrafts. The richness of forestry resources, combined with geographical advantages - located in the center of North Central Vietnam, with seaports, airports, railways, and national highways - creates a foundation for the wood processing industry to develop sustainably, associated with the trend of green economy and circular economy.

Staff of the Management Board of the High-Tech Forestry Zone in the North Central region learn about planting large timber trees in Van Hien commune. Photo: Mai Hoa

Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Huong - Deputy Head of the Management Board of the High-tech Forestry Zone in the North Central region emphasized: An important factor is that the Party Committee and the government of Nghe An have strongly changed their thinking on forestry development. From only considering planted forests as a source of raw materials for exporting wood chips, they have now determined the goal of gradually reducing wood chip exports, focusing on developing deep processing, such as MDF, plywood, wooden furniture, and bio-pellets.

Forestry is included in the key economic development strategy, associated with new rural construction, sustainable poverty reduction and environmental protection. The province has issued many policies to support the planting of large timber forests, encourage the granting of FSC certificates, build concentrated raw material areas... creating a legal corridor and driving force for sustainable development.

Forestry officials inspect the development of planted forests in Van Hien commune. Photo: Mai Hoa

On the part of forest growers, the Deputy Head of the Management Board of the High-Tech Forestry Zone in the North Central region also said: People's awareness has changed significantly. If in the past, most households only thought about short cycles to sell wood chips for immediate profits, now many households have joined forces with businesses to plant large timber forests, accepting longer cycles but higher economic value.

People are more interested in FSC certification to sell at a good price and access the international market. Forests not only bring income, but are also a “green wall” to protect the environment, preserve water and soil. More and more households consider forests as “long-term assets”, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for future generations.

Documents issued by Nghe An province related to forestry development:

Directive No. 10 dated October 5, 2021 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on promoting the development of high-quality intensive forest material areas associated with granting Sustainable Forest Management Certificates and forest product processing industry for the period 2021 - 2025.

Resolution No. 18 dated December 9, 2021 of the Provincial People's Council on policies to support the planting of large timber forests, native trees, granting of Sustainable Forest Management Certificates, processing, preserving and consuming forest products.

Resolution No. 27 dated December 6, 2024 of the Provincial People's Council on investment levels and budget support for forestry development.

Staff of the Management Board of the High-Tech Forestry Zone in the North Central region inspect the quality of the nursery garden of Pu Hoat Nature Reserve. Photo: Mai Hoa

New opportunities and motivation for breakthroughs

Based on the unique potential and advantages of Nghe An province; on April 10, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 746 approving the Master Plan for the construction of the High-tech Forestry Zone in the North Central region by 2045 in Nghe An province. This is an important legal basis for Nghe An and the North Central region to make a breakthrough in the production and processing of wood and forest products, and at the same time, continue to research solutions to expand new development space.

According to Mr. Nguyen Danh Hung - Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Agriculture and Environment: The Prime Minister's approval of the planning of the High-tech Forestry Zone is a "golden opportunity" to attract modern wood processing enterprises, forming a closed supply chain from planting, exploitation, processing to consumption. This is also a strong shift from raw exports to deep-processed products with high added value such as MDF boards, laminated boards, interior and exterior wooden furniture, pellets, and pulp.

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The Prime Minister's approval of the High-Tech Forestry Zone planning is a "golden opportunity" to attract modern wood processing enterprises, forming a closed supply chain from planting, exploitation, processing to consumption.

Mr. Nguyen Danh Hung - Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Agriculture and Environment

Nghe An aims to achieve an export turnover of wood and non-timber forest products of about 500 million USD/year by 2030; more than 70% of processing facilities will use advanced, environmentally friendly technology; over 50% of exported products will be from legal wood with FSC certification; the area of ​​raw material forests will reach 250,000 hectares, of which 80,000 hectares will be large timber forests; completely stop wood chip production and shift to deep processing.

Perspective of the space of the high-tech wood and non-timber forest products processing production zone with an area of ​​530 hectares, in the three communes of Nghi Van, Nghi Kieu and Dai Son in the past.

Some wood processing enterprises in Nghe An shared: This planning opens up expectations of favorable mechanisms and policies, especially in attracting infrastructure investment, reducing logistics costs and accessing green credit. Enterprises hope that the province will accompany them in training human resources, connecting markets, and supporting brand building for sustainable competition.

On September 15, 2025, the Provincial People's Committee will hold a ceremony to announce the Master Plan for the construction of a high-tech forestry zone in the North Central region until 2045, and at the same time, organize a workshop to discuss solutions to improve the quality and efficiency of wood and forest product processing in the period 2025 - 2030. This is an important political and economic event, affirming Nghe An's determination to become a center for high-tech wood and forest product processing in the region.

The event also demonstrates the commitment of the Central and the province to accompany businesses and people with forests, creating confidence to boldly invest in new technology, shifting from short-term forests to large, sustainable timber forests.

Perspective of the space of the trading floor combined with the exhibition to introduce processed products from wood and non-timber forest products, with an area of ​​40 hectares, in the former Khanh Hop commune.

The announcement of the planning associated with the thematic workshop will help the planning not only "remain on paper", but also go straight into practice, removing bottlenecks in raw materials, chain linkages, deep processing, digital technology, brands and export markets.

This is a concrete step towards the long-term goal: By 2045, Nghe An and the North Central region will become the country's center for high-tech, green and sustainable wood processing, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position in the global supply chain and realizing the commitment to reduce carbon emissions and develop a green and circular economy.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/co-hoi-va-dong-luc-but-pha-moi-trong-che-bien-go-va-lam-san-o-nghe-an-10306395.html