Joint Action for Enhancing Management of Protected Areas in Vietnam

On 09 March 2023, the Viet Nam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) hosted the 6th National Workshop to review the implementation of the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) for protected areas in Viet Nam. This was accompanied by a general review of the situation of Special-Use and Protection Forests in 2022.  

More than 170 participants from both national and international organisations as well as protected areas across the country joined the workshop. This marked the official introduction of the national SMART data model and the draft Operational Framework for the SMART Network, both supported jointly by VNFOREST and GIZ.  

So far, SMART has been adopted and utilised in 50 protected areas across the country for years. SMART shows significant effectiveness in supporting the protection and management of natural resources. On this occasion, protected areas could also share their experiences and discuss challenges in applying SMART. These insights will inform VNFOREST how to take actions to enhance the legal basis for SMART application, resources and capacities. 

GIZ and VNFOREST have collaborated for many years on introducing SMART and strengthening the capacities of protected area managers, rangers, trainers and other professionals, as well as on standardising its data model to implement SMART in all protected areas consistently. The workshop was organised as a joint effort between VNFOREST, WWF and GIZ together with other organisations like SVW and FFI.  

More information on SMART: 

• VNFOREST’s Decision on Promulgation of the Procedure in the application of Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) at protected forests: https://vnforest.gov.vn/content/uploads/files/QĐ%20197.QĐ-TCLN-ĐDPH.pdf  

• SMART procedures and documents (Tab “Utility” >> The Information System for Management of the Forestry Sector >> “Information about Vietnam special-use forests”): https://tongcuclamnghiep.gov.vn