Sustainable Forest Transformation in Da Nang: A Journey from Awareness to Action

As short-rotation acacia plantations gradually give way to native hardwood trees on the western hills of Da Nang, it's not just a simple shift in crop cultivation, but a profound transformation in people's understanding of the forest's role in our lives and environment.
More than a decade ago, when Nguyen Van Trung decided to leave the city for the forest and plant hardwood trees instead of acacia like everyone else, many people thought he was crazy. But now, his 40-hectare barren hill is covered in Agarwood tree:, cinnamon, and fragrant rosewood - a testament to a vision that goes beyond short-term economic benefits. What's more valuable is that in the minds of the highland people of Da Nang, the forest is no longer merely a source of livelihood. They perceive forest protection as a sacred responsibility to natural resources and future generations. As Mr. Trung shared, "When the forest gives us everything, we must take responsibility for preserving its green color."
This transformation is evident in the fact that 280 households have actively participated in forest environmental service contracts. They not only receive economic support but also become guardians, protecting the green of the mountains. Notably, many households like Mr. Thieu Song are willing to forego short-term economic benefits from acacia exploitation to shift to growing large-size trees with longer cycles.
The results of this consensus have been confirmed by impressive figures: after three years of implementing the forestry development strategy, the area of hardwood forests has increased to 423.1729 hectares, and revenue from forest environmental services has reached over 25.5 billion VND.
This is not only the result of effective mass mobilization but also the result of continuous efforts by local authorities and people.
It can be said that the journey of "healing" the forest with hardwood trees by the people of Hoa Vang is not only a sustainable development model worth learning but also an inspiring story about responsibility towards nature and the future. When each individual deeply understands the philosophy of "opening their eyes to see the forest," they are even more determined to preserve this green for generations to come.