Extended EUDR Working Group meeting to review progress on the development of VFM 2020 for EUDR compliance

On August 12, 2026, the Vietnam Department of Forestry and Forest Protection held an extended meeting of the EUDR Working Group to review progress on the development of the 2020 Vietnam Forest Map (VFM 2020). The map is being developed to support compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), while the meeting also focused on the next steps in its development and implementation. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Tran Quang Bao, Director General of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection and Head of the Forestry EUDR Working Group. Participants included members of the Working Group, the forest mapping expert team, representatives of relevant organisations, and other invited stakeholders.

At the meeting, the Department’s leadership heard updates from the expert and technical teams on the development, review, and refinement of VFM 2020, with funding support from Forest Trends. Discussions also focused on areas for further improvement to enhance the map’s accuracy, transparency, and practical application in supporting EUDR compliance. The map is being developed by integrating Vietnam’s national forest data with remote-sensing imagery, international reference datasets, and information reviewed and validated by local authorities.

VFM 2020 is expected to serve as an important data source for businesses and commodity sectors, supporting supply-chain traceability, risk assessment, and the demonstration that products are deforestation-free in line with EUDR requirements. Vietnam’s efforts to develop and refine its own forest map will also enhance the transparency of forest-related information and help reduce reliance on global forest-cover datasets when assessing deforestation risks associated with exported products.

From the business perspective, Mr. Bui Duc Hao, representing Tuan Loc Company, highlighted the need for practical tools and data platforms to help businesses assess EUDR compliance before exporting their products. The company expressed its willingness to work with the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection to pilot One Mapand provide feedback based on practical experience. As noted during the meeting, access to reliable data platforms and complementary data sources would help businesses more effectively verify information on their sourcing areas and production plots.