Vietnam is one of the world’s most biologically rich countries. Diverse ecosystems provide clean water, soil stability, buffers against storms and climate shocks as well as a basis for nature-based economic activities including tourism. Biodiversity conservation is an essential component of achieving sustainable, resilient development as well as a global public good. USAID helps Vietnam protect its globally significant biodiversity by combating illegal hunting and protecting habitats for endangered species. USAID’s biodiversity conservation programs aim to shape a future in which both people and biodiversity thrive via improvements in economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship.

CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY

Through the USAID Green Annamites and the USAID Biodiversity Conservation projects, USAID works directly with local governments, private sector companies and citizens in Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam and Lam Dong provinces to conserve terrestrial biodiversity through implementation of a suite of interventions, including building capacity for protected areas, developing conservation friendly enterprises for forest dependent communities, increasing law enforcement and reducing demand for wildlife and wildlife products.

COMBATING WILDLIFE CRIME

Vietnam is a source, destination and transit country for the illegal wildlife trade and the USAID Saving Species project aims to combat the illegal trade in wildlife. Partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the project strengthens wildlife law enforcement and prosecution, improves and harmonizes the legal framework, and reduces consumer demand for illegal wildlife and wildlife products.

Projects

USAID Green Annamites: supports forest protection and efforts to reduce deforestation and degradation, identifies and safeguards against poaching and habitat destruction, and works with local communities to diversify and improve livelihoods. 2016-2020, $24 million.

Vietnam Forests and Deltas: supports Vietnam’s sustainable development with a focus on the forestry and agriculture sectors, disaster risk reduction, and strengthening rural livelihoods; and by supporting the payment for forest environmental services (PFES) system as an effective tool in conservation and socio-economic development.  2012-2021, $31.5 million.

USAID Saving Species works to reduce consumer demand for and consumption of illegal wildlife and wildlife products and strengthens wildlife law enforcement and prosecution on countering wildlife trafficking. 2016-2021, $9.9 million.

USAID Sustainable Forest Management: aims to (a) reduce carbon emission from forest conversion, (b) increase carbon sequestration through better management of plantation forests, and (c) improve quality, diversity, and productivity of natural production forests. 2020 - 2025, $36.3 million.

USAID Biodiversity Conservation: works to maintain and increase forest quality, and to protect and stabilize wildlife populations in national parks and nature reserves in high conservation value provinces. 2020 - 2025, $38 million.