Payment for Environmental Services in Vietnam: An Analysis of the Pilot Project in Lam Dong Province

Dr. Nguyen Quang Tan, RECOFTC's Vietnam Program Coordinator, reviews the drivers of deforestation and change in Lam Dong province. This pilot project was designed to improve transparency and informed participation by forest communities in schemes for making payments for environmental services. The paper analyzes project design and implementation within policy and administrative frameworks, roles, rights and responsibilities, attention to livelihoods, and conflict management mechanisms. The final section also looks at several lessons for REDD+.