The total area nationwide covered by forests has risen to 12.3mil ha, or 37.8% of total land area, from 36.7% in 2004.
Forests classified as rich and fully rehabilitated rose to 4.6% in 2004 from 3.4% in 2000, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Vietnam has set a target of 43% forest cover by 2010.