The green hue of Tan Thanh

In the gentle chill of early spring, Tan Thanh Commune appears vibrant in enduring shades of green from its forests and the sense of prosperity reflected in newly built, solid homes. This spring, hundreds of households from the Dao, Nung and Cao Lan ethnic groups are enjoying renewed optimism as forests have truly become a sustainable livelihood, bringing greater stability and prosperity to local communities.

Tran Thanh Kien, a forest ranger from the Forest Protection Unit of Area I in charge of Tan Thanh, spoke about the clear shift in local awareness. With vast forest areas spread across 39 villages, forest rangers regard local people as their companions and an indispensable extension of the protection force. The close, family-like bond between rangers and villagers has created a strong community foundation for forest protection and forest-based economic development.

People of Luc Lieu Village patrol the forest together with forest rangers.

Recalling the period before 2000, illegal logging and the hunting and harvesting of rare flora and fauna were widespread, pushing old-growth forests to the brink of devastation. Today, forests are viewed as a primary source of livelihood. Every plot of land and every stretch of forest is carefully tended, protected and developed by local people.

A typical example is the family of Nguyen Quang Trung in Trai Dat Village, who manages more than 40 hectares of eucalyptus, acacia and bodhi forests. Thanks to rotational harvesting, his family earned nearly VND 7 billion in 2024, enabling them to build a new house, purchase vehicles and invest in their children’s education. Notably, in Tan Thanh, timber is sold by weight, including branches and treetops, allowing residents to fully utilize the value of forest resources.

In Luc Lieu Village, where 90% of residents are Dao people, forest protection has become a shared community commitment. Two forest patrol teams operate on a weekly basis, and any violations are dealt with strictly under village regulations. For more than a decade, no forest violations have been recorded in the village.

Forests in Tan Thanh are well protected and remain lush and green.

According to Tan Thanh Commune authorities, the area has more than 3,600 hectares of natural forest, including over 2,255 hectares of special-use forest. To preserve this green expanse, the commune has established 30 community-based forest protection teams with more than 250 members. These teams work closely with forest rangers to conduct patrols, raise public awareness, and provide guidance on fire prevention as well as effective forest planting and care techniques.

Leaving Tan Thanh amid the vast green forests of early spring, one carries a strong belief in a future of lasting prosperity - rooted in forests that are protected not only by policy, but by the awareness, responsibility and unity of every individual, family and the entire community.

Ly Thu