Translating Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) into practice in the context of climate change: a case study in Northern of Vietnam
Abstract
Vietnam has long experienced deforestation and forest degradation, leaving it highly exposed to the effects of climate change. Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) is an important approach internationally to address forest loss, mitigate climate change, and improve human wellbeing. Since the 1990s, the Government of Vietnam has implemented key policies aimed at advancing FLR, primarily through exotic plantation projects. However, there is limited empirical research in Vietnam that examines the social impacts of these tree plantations, the benefits of these programs, and how policies are implemented in practice to achieve FLR goals through tree planting initiatives. This study draws on an analytical framework adapted from Chazdon and Brancalion (2019) to examine how FLR concepts are interpreted and implemented in Vietnam, by exploring perspectives about FLR policies, and ecological and livelihood outcomes. It used a qualitative case study approach in Thai Nguyen Province, northern Vietnam, to address these issues, paying particular attention to gender, wealth class and intergenerational perspectives. Data were collected between June to July 2025 from interviews of 8 expert stakeholders, and 32 semi-structured interviews and 8 gender-differentiated focus group discussions across four villages. Thematic analysis was used for data interpretation. Results reveal that FLR using exotic (primarily acacia) monocultures has prioritised a single objective, economic development, over ecological considerations, and this has led to trade-offs in the face of climate change. While acacia plantations provide greater economic benefits, they face pest and disease outbreaks, support less biodiversity, and provide limited ecosystem services and reduced climate resilience. The expansion of exotic plantations also exacerbates and reinforces existing social inequities and limits equitable participation in FLR activities, particularly affecting poor households, women and youth, as their specific needs are not adequately addressed. The study identifies a number of key implications. The first is strengthening Research and Development (R&D) to ensure sustainable acacia wood supply and management practices in the short term, while exploring the potential for native Vietnamese species to enhance ecosystem services, livelihood resilience, and climate adaptability in the longer term. The second is diversifying people�s livelihoods rather than relying mainly on acacia plantations to strengthen community resilience. The third is diversifying FLR based on land use types, by adopting agroforestry systems and fostering natural regeneration, to achieve both ecological and social goals, including food production, improved soil health, and carbon sequestration. In addressing climate change, it is crucial to balance the social and ecological aspects of FLR. This requires integrated and adaptive management strategies and supportive policies that promote long-term human well-being and environmental health, rather than focusing primarily on short-term gains.