Forest classification according to the Law on forest protection and development 2004 of Vietnam

According to Article 4 of the Law on forest protection and development 2004 of Vietnam, based on their major use purposes, forests are classified into three following kinds:

- Protection forests, which are used mainly to protect water sources and land, prevent erosion and desertification, restrict natural calamities and regulate climate, thus contributing to environmental protection, including:

+ Headwater protection forests;

+ Wind- and sand-shielding protection forests;

+ Protection forests for tide shielding and sea encroachment prevention;

+ Protection forests for environmental protection.

- Special-use forests, which are used mainly for conservation of nature, specimens of the national forest ecosystems and forest biological gene sources; for scientific research; protection of historical and cultural relics as well as landscapes; in service of recreation and tourism in combination with protection, contributing to environmental protection, including:

+ National parks;

+ Nature conservation zones, including nature reserves and species-habitat conservation zones;

+ Landscape protection areas, including forests of historical or cultural relics as well as scenic landscapes;

+ Scientific research and experiment forests.

- Production forests, which are used mainly for production and trading of timber and non-timber forest products in combination with protection, contributing to environmental protection, including:

+ Natural production forests;

+ Planted production forests;

+ Seeding forests, including the selected and recognized planted forests and natural forests.

View relevant provisions at the Law on forest protection and development 2004 of Vietnam, effective from April 01, 2005.

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