Agriculture is the main source of income in remote areas of Quang Ngai Province, but many households face economic hardship.
Since residents were entrusted with managing and protecting forests, they have received payments for forest environmental services. The money helps cover daily expenses, reduce poverty and improve livelihoods. It also raises awareness of forest protection and development.
Son Tay Thuong Commune has nine hamlets. More than 90 per cent of its residents are Ca Dong, part of the Xo Dang ethnic group. More than 1,040 hectares of forest have been entrusted to 172 households and 13 residential communities.
Vice chairman of the commune People's Committee Vo The Vinh said communities and households prepare plans at the start of each year and assign forest patrol duties. During the dry season, they intensify patrols, inspect high-risk areas, establish firebreaks and clear vegetation.
The work brings communities and households more than VND900 million, or about US$35,000, a year, Vinh said. The money covers daily expenses, supplies, equipment and children's education. The commune's poverty rate has fallen to 4.84 per cent.
Vinh said residents had a better understanding of forest protection. He said the commune had recorded no forest fires, forest damage or encroachment on forest land for agricultural production for many consecutive years.
The family of Dinh Van Ray in Nuoc Min Hamlet has managed 3 hectares of forest since 2020. That year, a 25-household community was assigned 11 hectares. Ray leads the forest protection group, prepares patrol plans and has members inspect the forest at least twice a month.
In 2025, the Nuoc Min community received VND4.6 million, or US$178. Ray's family received more than VND2 million, or US$77. Ray said there had been no fires or damage in the entrusted areas since 2020.
In Mang Ri Commune, more than 4,000 hectares of forest are covered by the programme, including over 2,573 hectares entrusted to 238 households. The family of A Gioi in Ba Tu 2 Hamlet manages 23.34 hectares and regularly patrols it.
During the dry season from November to April, the family increases inspections and establishes firebreaks. The area has remained free of fire and damage for many years. In 2025, the family received nearly VND34.5 million and saved some money to buy cattle and coffee seedlings.
Commune chairman Pham Xuan Quang said forest management, protection and development, contracted protection and payments for forest environmental services were regular tasks. They help preserve forests and the environment, create income and improve living standards.
Some residents previously practised shifting cultivation and cleared forest for fields. After recognising the benefits and income forests can provide, many stopped clearing them and began protecting forests as a source of livelihood.
In 2025, Mang Ri received more than VND5.5 billion, or US$213,000. More than VND3.45 billion, or US$133,000, went to 238 households and individuals. The share of poor households fell from more than 50 per cent previously to 17.6 per cent in 2024 and 9.73 per cent at the end of 2025.
Sources: Viet Nam News
