MEETING REPORT - KICK-OFF WORKSHOP - Development of the Rewilding Plan for Vietnam (2027-2035) with a Vision to 2050

Sep 17, 2026

Kick-off meeting report for the development of Vietnam’s National Rewilding Plan (NRP) for 2027–2035, with a vision to 2050. The meeting outlines objectives to launch the NRP process, present the scientific and legal basis, and review international and domestic lessons from rewilding and species population recovery. It summarizes opening remarks describing wildlife decline and “empty forest syndrome,” and presents a development roadmap through preparation, drafting, consultation, and submission for approval in 2026.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

I. General information on the meeting

II. Objectives and main agenda of the meeting

III. Summary of presentations and key discussion points

1. Opening remarks and orientation

2. Overview of the National Rewilding Plan

3. International experiences and lessons for Vietnam

MEETING REPORT: KICK-OFF WORKSHOP DEVELOPMENT OF THE REWILDING PLAN FOR VIETNAM FOR THE PERIOD 2027-2035, WITH A VISION TO 2050 I. GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE MEETING • Meeting Title: Kick-off for the Development of the Vietnam Rewilding Plan for the Period 2027- 2035, with a Vision to 2050 (Vietnam Rewilding Plan – NRP) • Date: 14-15 May 2026 • Venue: Room 403, Building A3, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, No. 2 Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh, Hanoi • Organizer: Department of Forestry and Forest Protection (VNFOREST) , Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) • Co-Chairs: - Dr. Doan Hoai Nam , Deputy Director General, Department of Forestry and Forest Rangers - Mr. Jake Brunner, Head, Lower Mekong Sub-region, Viet Nam Management , IUCN Vietnam. • Participants: Around 70 participants, including representatives of the VNFORST leadership, relevant Divisions of the MAE including Legal Affairs; Planning and Finance; Science, Technology and Environment; and the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity; representatives of international organizations (IUCN, WWF, FFI, UNDP, Re:wild, GIZ, FAO, SNV, WCS); national conservation organizations (SVW, PanNature, CCD, ENV, Four Paws); directors of national parks (Cuc Phuong, Yok Don, Cat Tien, Bach Ma, Xuan Lien, Pu Mat); nature reserves (Ea So, Dong Nai); research institutes (Institute of Biology, Institute of Advanced Technology); universities (Vietnam National University of Forestry, University of Science – Vietnam National University, Vietnam National University of Agriculture); as well as experts, journalists and reporters (see attached list at Annex I) . II. OBJECTIVES AND MAIN AGENDA OF THE MEETING 1. Objectives • To launch the process of developing the National Rewilding Plan (NRP) . • To share the context, necessity, and scientific and legal basis for the NRP. • To review international experiences (India, Thailand, Cambodia) and domestic lessons learned on rewilding and species population recovery. • To discuss and provide input to finalize the outlines of the National Rewilding Plan. • To identify priority species, areas, activities, and coordination mechanisms. • To establish Thematic Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to continue developing the detailed plan. 2. Main Agenda of the Meeting (see details at Annex III) III. SUMMARY OF PRESENTATIONS AND KEY DISCUSSION POINTS 1. Opening Remarks and Orientation Dr. Doan Hoai Nam: • Vietnam has 167 special-use forest areas with forest cover exceeding 42% – a significant achievement, but insufficient. Many sites are facing the “empty forest syndrome”: forest area remains but wildlife species have disappeared or declined dramatically. • The Indochinese tiger and Javan rhinoceros are no longer found in the wild; the Saola has not been recorded for over a decade; the Asian elephant, primate species, and many large mammals are on the brink of extinction. • Rewilding is no longer an option but an urgent imperative, aimed at restoring ecosystem functions and transforming “green” forests into “living” forests. • The Plan is expected to be finalized and submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for approval in 2026. Mr. Jake Brunner: • Rewilding rests on three pillars: (i) threat reduction; (ii) habitat and population recovery; and (iii) reintroduction of key species. All three must be implemented in a coordinated manner to ensure the success of the rewilding plan. • Rewilding generates benefits for human health (at-source disease prevention), the economy and environment, and enhances national standing. • Rewilding activities should be positioned as a significant contribution to sustainable national development goals. 2. Overview of the National Rewilding Plan Mr. Nguyen Manh Hiep presented the necessity, legal basis, and development roadmap of the NRP: • Biodiversity in Vietnam has declined sharply: the 2024 Red List records 742 threatened animal species (129

FAQs

What are the main objectives of the kick-off workshop for the NRP?

The meeting aims to launch the National Rewilding Plan process, explain the context and scientific/legal basis, review international experiences and domestic lessons, and provide inputs to finalize the plan outlines. It also seeks to identify priority species and areas and establish Thematic Technical Working Groups for continued drafting.

What key problems and motivations were highlighted in the opening remarks?

Speakers noted biodiversity decline and the “empty forest syndrome,” where forest cover exists but wildlife has disappeared or sharply declined. They also cited urgent threats to major species and emphasized rewilding as a necessity to restore ecosystem functions and make forests “living.”

What is the proposed development roadmap for the National Rewilding Plan?

The roadmap includes preparation (January–March 2026), the kick-off meeting (May 2026), working groups and plan drafting (May–September 2026), consultations (October–November 2026), and submission for approval (December 2026).

Sep 17, 2026

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