The Forest Protection Department in Vietnam and the Forestry Inspection Department in Laos have reached an agreement to exchange information soon about regulations and policies pertaining to forest management, protection, and wood resource commerce.

During a meeting in Hue City on February 24, 2023, representatives from the Vietnam Forest Protection Department and the Lao Forestry Inspection Department reviewed the MOU from 2017 to 2022 and planned joint operations from 2023 to 2028.

There will be a chance for both parties to reflect on the successes of forest management and preservation efforts so far, as well as learn from past mistakes and current problems, in order to address these issues more effectively during the conference.

Five years into the two countries' active implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding for the period 2017–2022, the Vietnam Forest Protection Department and the Lao Forestry Inspection Department have both accomplished great things in closely coordinating control of the issue of illegal exploitation, transportation, and trade of wood in forested border areas between the two countries. They have also prevented illegal transportation and consumption of rare and precious wild animals and plants in border areas by acting swiftly.

International groups dedicated to protecting the environment and animals have taken notice of the cooperation efforts between the Vietnam Forest Protection Department and the Lao Forestry Inspection Department. Thereafter, groups have helped both parties get access to funds and tools for forest conservation efforts. In spite of progress, a number of issues persist, including the illicit traffic in wood, rare and valuable wild flora and animals, and the destruction of forests.

The illicit trade and hunting of rare plant and animal species threaten the survival of many of the species included in the Red Book. Due to the fact that loggers are becoming more and more skilled in their methods and frequently work together to establish international criminal networks, forest rangers from both countries face significant difficulties.

When it comes to forest management and preservation, there are a lot of elements at play, including human activity and natural disasters like climate change and harsh weather. These issues need extensive collaboration between forest managers and forest protectors.

The participants who attended the conference provided valuable feedback that will help shape the future operational orientations of the two sides. This served as the foundation for finalizing and signing the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Vietnam Forest Protection Department and the Lao Forestry Inspection Department for the years 2023–2028.