A new policy backbone for species conservation

In the implementation phase of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) and the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 with a Vision to 2050, Viet Nam has completed two policy pillars for species conservation: Decision No. 49/QĐ-TTg of 08 January 2025, approving the National Programme on the Conservation of Priority Endangered, Precious and Rare Species to 2030, with a Vision to 2050; and Circular No. 27/2025/TT-BNNMT of 24 June 2025, regulating the management of endangered, precious and rare species; the breeding of common forest species; and implementation of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Together, these instruments form a policy “backbone”: Decision 49 provides the strategic–programmatic direction, whilst Circular 27 delivers the technical-procedural rules, unifying the system, standardising lists and processes, and strengthening cross-sectoral coordination in species conservation.

I. Decision 49/QĐ-TTg: A national roadmap for species conservation to 2030, with a vision to 2050

Anchored in the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, with a Vision to 2050, Decision 49 sets out objectives, task groups and a suite of solutions for conserving priority endangered, precious and rare species. Key targets include: improving the conservation status of at least 10 priority species; restoring and protecting critical habitats; ex-situ conservation and reintroduction of at least three species at risk of extinction; ensuring 100% of priority species have management and monitoring plans; and completing the policy and legal framework while strengthening organisational capacity to control threats to species.

Primary tasks and solutions:

1. Surveys, assessment and database development: conduct inventories and monitoring of population status and habitats; build and regularly update a national biodiversity database. Integrate priority wildlife inventory and monitoring into the implementation of the Scheme on “Inventory, Monitoring, Reporting and Development of the National Biodiversity Database to 2030, with a Vision to 2050” (Decision No. 2067/QĐ-TTg of 8 December 2021).
2. In-situ conservation: strengthen management of protected areas, establish ecological corridors, control hunting and trapping, and restore habitats.
3. Ex-situ conservation: expand rescue, breeding and reintroduction systems; apply technologies for germplasm conservation and propagation.
4. Law enforcement: enhance coordination among relevant forces (forestry rangers, police, customs, market surveillance, etc.) to prevent illegal trade, transport and consumption.
5. Legal and policy improvement: review and propose amendments to the Law on Biodiversity regarding conservation, development and sustainable use of species; unify criteria, lists and management regimes for wild species across biodiversity, forestry and fisheries legislation.
6. Resource mobilisation and international cooperation: combine state budgets with social resources and international financing; broaden research cooperation and knowledge exchange with global organisations.
7. Research and technology application: employ digital distribution mapping, genetic technologies and modern monitoring; assess climate-change impacts on species.
8. Communication, education and community engagement: integrate species conservation into school curricula; raise public awareness and shared responsibility.

II. Circular 27/2025/TT-BNNMT: Standardising lists and management procedures

While Decision 49 sets direction and goals, Circular 27 provides the legal-technical tools for implementation. Effective from 1 July 2025 and issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Circular regulates the management of forest plants and animals that are endangered, precious and rare; priority endangered species; breeding of common forest species; and CITES implementation. Core elements include:

1. Criteria for classifying endangered, precious and rare species:
   • Group I – species prohibited from commercial extraction from the wild if listed in CITES Appendix I or assessed at EN to CR on the IUCN/Red Data Book scales, or of special scientific, ecological, medical or cultural value.
   • Group II – species restricted for commercial use if listed in CITES Appendix II or III or assessed VU or higher on IUCN/Red Data Book scales, or at risk of sharp decline without management measures.
2. Regulation of related activities: detailed rules on sampling/extraction from the wild (permitted only in defined cases such as approved scientific research, conservation and international assistance); in-situ and ex-situ measures (rescue, breeding, planting, translocation, germplasm conservation); and clear principles for release to the wild (healthy, disease-free individuals; suitable natural range; post-release monitoring and protection).
3. Unified species list: issuance of a consolidated national list of endangered, precious and rare forest fauna and flora, classified into Group I and Group II with differentiated stringency—replacing previously fragmented listings and ensuring consistent bases for permitting, control, rescue and enforcement.
4. Management of breeding common forest wildlife: requirements on notification/registration, verification of stock provenance, housing conditions and record-keeping; facilities wishing to keep endangered species for conservation, research or ecotourism must be certified biodiversity conservation establishments and meet stricter conditions.
5. CITES implementation: compliance with CITES rules on import, export, re-export, transit and introduction from the sea; strengthened checks on storage, transport, advertising and display of specimens to ensure legality and due process.
6. Responsibilities and transitional measures: clear allocation of duties to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (including the Forestry Administration, Forest Protection Department and the Department of Nature and Biodiversity Conservation) and to local authorities for investigation, monitoring, reporting and facility oversight; transitional provisions for existing breeding, planting and rescue establishments to obtain new permits, codes and certificates.

III. What advances when Decision 49 and Circular 27 work together

The simultaneous issuance of Decision 49 and Circular 27 represents a significant step forward in Viet Nam’s species conservation effort. The two instruments are mutually reinforcing: Decision 49 charts the long-term strategic vision, resource orientation and national objectives; Circular 27 translates these into daily management procedures, giving forestry rangers, customs, the courts and breeding facilities a unified legal basis for action.

Circular 27 also consolidates, carries forward and streamlines provisions previously split between Decree 160/2013/ND-CP and Decree 06/2019/ND-CP, thereby creating a unified management framework – particularly important following the merger of the former ministries (MARD and MONRE) into the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE). Notable improvements include:

1. Lists and classification criteria: previously, Decree 160 and Decree 06 issued separate lists (under the Biodiversity Law and the Forestry Law respectively), complicating enforcement. Circular 27 integrates these into a single list, classifying species into Group I and Group II using scientific criteria (IUCN, Red Data Book) and international obligations (CITES) – a unified basis for control, permitting, rescue and sanctioning.
2. Scope of management: Decree 160 focused on priority endangered species under the Biodiversity Law; Decree 06 emphasised endangered forest fauna and flora, utilisation and CITES. Circular 27 now covers all: forest plants and animals; priority species; breeding of common forest wildlife; and CITES-listed species.
3. Management techniques and procedures: where the decrees set high-level principles, Circular 27 details procedures for wild extraction, rescue, breeding, release, facility standards, registration and traceability, and CITES permitting – standardising practice at provincial and facility levels.
4. Practical significance: reduced legal overlap; stronger alignment with CITES, IUCN and CBD reporting; improved state management efficiency (clear bases for rangers, customs, police and courts); better compliance by facilities; and direct support for achieving Decision 49’s targets and the national biodiversity strategy.

IV. Conclusion

Issued in 2025, Decision 49/QĐ-TTg and Circular 27/2025/TT-BNNMT together deliver a coherent, end-to-end framework for species conservation in Viet Nam – a strategic programme paired with standardised technical rules. This comprehensive legal architecture will help protect and restore endangered, precious and rare species, while elevating Viet Nam’s contribution to global biodiversity conservation under the KM-GBF.