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This briefing considers the positive and negative practical outcomes of Community Forest Management (CFM) in Vietnam, which came to be legally recognised as part of the Forest Protection and Development Law passed in 2004. Through visits to 25 villages which have implemented CFM, it analyses the extent to which legal rights have contributed to the protection of forest areas, preventing illegal logging, encroachment and land conversion.

The results show differing levels of success; and the report provides case studies into specific strengths and weaknesses experienced, such as villages lacking the capacity to enforce their legal rights, and those which have benefited from legal collection of forest products, support from development projects or compensation for lost land. The report recommends that governments should endeavour to provide legal titles to give communities a strong legal basis for negotiation during resource conflict, but that local practice should guide the implementation of CFM initiatives. Further, that there should be a focus on capacity building and strengthening of local institutions to ensure benefits reach local community members.