Gia Lai province has revised its reforestation plan following heavy losses caused by Storm No. 13, raising the 2026 planting target and rolling out measures to improve forest quality and sustainability.
Reporters from Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio & Television interviewed Mr. Trương Thanh Hà, Acting Head of the Forest Protection Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment), on this issue.
▪ What specific solutions are being implemented to ensure the progress and quality of forest planting in 2026?
Mr. Trương Thanh Hà. Photo: N.N
- After Storm No. 13, about 25,000 hectares of planted forest in the province were severely damaged, significantly affecting forestry development plans.
Based on the targets set out in the Resolution of the First Provincial Party Congress, planting 125,000 hectares of forest during the 2026–2030 period, or an average of 25,000 hectares a year, the Forest Protection Department has advised the Department of Agriculture and Environment to develop a plan to plant 42,500 hectares of forest in 2026.
Of this total, 25,000 hectares will meet the Resolution’s annual target, while 17,500 hectares will be reforested to replace areas damaged by the storm.
To achieve this goal, the Department will continue to strictly implement policies and directives from the Party Central Committee and the Government on forest management, protection and development, while resolutely safeguarding 100% of existing natural forest areas as the foundation for sustainable forestry.
At the same time, the Department will advise on the formulation and completion of support policies for local people and forest owners to replant damaged areas, and promote forest care, zoning and natural regeneration to improve productivity and quality.
In addition, we will continue to research and propose thematic resolutions, strengthen Party leadership, and mobilise the entire political system in forest protection and development.
▪ With forestry land shrinking and weather patterns becoming more complex, how will the Department enhance forest cover effectiveness and sustainability?
- The Department will comprehensively implement the 2026 forest protection and development plan, along with forest fire prevention and control measures. Patrols and inspections will be intensified to promptly detect and strictly handle violations of forestry laws, minimising encroachment on forest resources.
We will also advise and guide forest zoning and natural forest restoration, while promoting the conversion of small timber plantations into large timber forests to improve forest quality and establish stable raw material zones for deep processing.
For forest land-use conversion, the Department will strengthen inspection, supervision and appraisal, and will only advise competent authorities to consider projects that fully meet the requirements of the Forestry Law and related regulations, with the aim of minimising reductions in forest area and coverage.
In parallel, we will review the current forest status, adjust forestry planning, and propose converting upstream areas, steep terrain, reservoir buffer zones and key transport corridors into the forest protection.
Looking ahead, the Department will promote the application of information technology, remote sensing, digital transformation and artificial intelligence in forest monitoring, resource management and fire prevention, with the goal of raising Gia Lai’s forest cover to 46.5% by 2030.
The forest protection force continues to be strengthened and its capacity enhanced to ensure sustainable forest protection and development. Photo: N.N
▪ What measures will be taken to mobilise local authorities, forest owners and the public for sustainable forest development?
- We will continue to innovate coordination methods, communication and technical support in a practical and effective manner. A key focus will be on improving capacity and applying technology in forest seedling production, including the development of high-quality tissue-cultured seedlings that are pest-resistant and adaptable to climate change.
At the same time, we will intensify communication efforts to encourage people, businesses and forest owners to shift from planting small timber forests to large timber forests, thereby increasing economic value and long-term engagement with forestry.
The Department will implement the Large Timber Tree Development Project for 2026–2030, with a vision to 2050, and advise the Department of Agriculture and Environment to propose that the Provincial People’s Committee assign large timber planting targets to forestry companies and management boards of protection and special-use forests.
We will also review encroached forestry land for recovery and allocation to large timber planting with suitable species, and orient replacement afforestation projects towards large timber species.
In addition, inspection and supervision of large timber forest planting will be strengthened, alongside guidance on converting small timber forests to large timber business models based on practical effectiveness.
The Department will continue to consolidate its organisational structure, enhance the capacity of the forest protection force, intensify dissemination of forestry laws, improve management capacity at the commune level, and advise on support and incentive policies for forest owners, contributing to sustainable forestry development.
Gia Lai province's economy expanded 8.21% in the first six months of 2026 from a year earlier, with industry, construction and services driving growth despite ongoing economic challenges, provincial officials said on Tuesday.
Gia Lai has reported strong progress in implementing its private economic development strategy, with a sharp increase in new business registrations and investment projects during the first half of 2026.
Construction of a key coastal road linking National Highway 1D and the new National Highway 19 is gathering pace after overcoming geological, material and construction challenges, with authorities targeting completion and operation by the end of 2026.
Gia Lai Province has unveiled a new strategy to expand its international communications efforts, aiming to strengthen its global profile through professional, modern and internationally aligned media outreach while promoting investment, tourism and international cooperation.
Gia Lai authorities have approved the investment policy and selected the investor for the Plei Thơ Ga 2 Floating Solar Power Plant, a 20 MW renewable energy project that will incorporate a battery energy storage system at Plei Thơ Ga Lake in Chư Pưh commune.
Gia Lai province has expanded low-emission rice cultivation to nearly 1,700 hectares, exceeding its 2026 target and strengthening its preparations to participate in domestic and international carbon credit markets through reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Lê Tấn Hòa, a lecturer at the Faculty of Electronics and Informatics of Quy Nhon College of Technology and Engineering, has spent nearly 17 years developing practical training models and educational equipment designed to better prepare vocational students for real-world industrial environments.
Rooftop solar power is gaining momentum across wards of Quy Nhơn, East Quy Nhơn, North Quy Nhơn, South Quy Nhơn and West Quy Nhơn in Gia Lai, as more households and businesses invest in self-produced electricity to reduce energy costs and improve power reliability.
Gia Lai has introduced a new policy framework aimed at accelerating science, technology and innovation by addressing practical obstacles faced by businesses, particularly cooperatives and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), under Resolution No. 10/2026/NQ-HĐND.
From 2024 to 2026, the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance has recognized Thuong Giang Agricultural Cooperative in Binh Khe Commune and Binh De Construction Stone Production Cooperative in North Hoai Nhon Ward as “Cooperative Stars.”
Gia Lai Province has issued a plan to implement memoranda of understanding with the northeastern Cambodian provinces of Preah Vihear, Stung Treng and Ratanakiri in 2026, outlining cooperation activities across multiple sectors as part of the 2026–2030 partnership framework.
The province is intensifying efforts to achieve its 2026 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth target of 10.2%, with local authorities accelerating investment projects, expanding production and strengthening key economic sectors during the first five months of the year.
Gia Lai’s producers under Vietnam’s One Commune One Product (OCOP) Programme are preparing to meet stricter national standards following the introduction of a new evaluation and ranking framework that places greater emphasis on branding, market development and product sustainability.
An Toan commune in Gia Lai province is increasingly leveraging its extensive forest resources to promote socio-economic development, raise household incomes and advance sustainable poverty reduction efforts.
Hundreds of offshore fishing vessels have returned to Tam Quan Fishing Port in early June with holds full of fish and squid, delivering a boost to local fishermen as seafood catches remain strong and prices show signs of improvement.
After years of delays caused by infrastructure bottlenecks and land clearance disputes, Hoa Hoi Industrial Park is showing significant progress, with phase 1 infrastructure largely completed, new investors entering the project, and preparations underway for phase 2 expansion.
Reporters from Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio & Television spoke with Mr. Nguyễn Đình Kha, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, about preparations for the launch of E10 RON 95-III biofuel and public concerns surrounding fuel quality, safety, and supply.
As copyright infringement and illegal digital content distribution become increasingly sophisticated, Vietnamese authorities are stepping up efforts to strengthen intellectual property (IP) protection in the digital era.
Authorities in Vietnam’s Gia Lai province aim to complete the implementation of traceability systems for durian products across the province by the end of 2026, according to Plan No. 194/KH-UBND on agricultural product traceability.
Gia Lai has become a major destination for large-scale livestock investment projects in recent years, particularly in the western part of the province.
Authorities in Gia Lai province are seeking investors for a scenic rest stop project on the southern side of Vinh Hoi Pass, with a minimum investment requirement of 25 billion VND (about USD 960,000), excluding land lease fees.
Petrol retailers and distributors in Gia Lai province are preparing to fully replace conventional gasoline with E10 RON 95-III biofuel from June 1, as authorities push forward with plans to promote greener energy and reduce emissions.
Sweet potato processing businesses in Gia Lai province are expanding production of noodles, vermicelli, cakes and snacks in an effort to stabilize prices and reduce dependence on volatile fresh produce markets, as farmers continue to face losses from oversupply during peak harvest seasons.
The rapid growth in electricity demand and the accelerating shift toward renewable energy are increasing pressure on Vietnam’s power system, highlighting the urgent need for large-scale energy storage solutions.
