On the morning of December 20, 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang City, in collaboration with Toom Sara Village, officially launched the “Rung Oi, Tho Di!” project. With the message “We Have Land – Let’s Join Hands to Plant Forests,” the project marks a new chapter in the preservation and restoration of native forests in Hoa Vang, moving toward a sustainable tourism model rooted in community responsibility and long-term ecological value.

From the Pain of Natural Disasters to the Aspiration of Reviving Native Forests

Central Vietnam in particular, and Vietnam as a whole, has recently endured a series of severe natural disasters. Mudslides, landslides, and the historic floods of November 2025 swept away not only livelihoods and property, but also delivered a painful warning from nature itself. Harsh reality has shown that monoculture acacia plantations, short-term forests grown mainly for quick economic returns are no longer strong enough to protect the land, nor capable of retaining groundwater and stabilizing ecosystems.

Out of this shared loss, the “Rung Oi, Tho Di!” project was born. This is not merely a tree-planting campaign, but a proud journey of revival for multi-layered native forests. Here, local people are not hired laborers for the forest, they are its rightful stewards, its living soul. With the initiative “We Have Land – Let’s Join Hands to Plant Forests,” Toom Sara aspires to build an ecosystem where sustainable tourism and nature conservation are woven together, so that forests can breathe again, and in return, continue to sustain and nourish the lives of local communities.

A Self-Sustaining Green Economy Model

Unlike many community projects that rely heavily on external funding, “Rung Oi, Tho Di!” operates as a self-sustaining green economy model. Toom Sara Village has thoughtfully transformed the initiative into immersive experiential tourism offerings, where revenue generated from visitors is reinvested directly into nurturing new saplings, paying local people to care for the forests, and maintaining a continuous cycle of sustainable growth. At the same time, the project fosters a community of volunteers who actively support tree care and contribute to the long-term development of the initiative, ensuring that the forest is not only planted, but continuously protected, restored, and allowed to thrive.

To truly tackle the core challenges of conservation and sustainable development, the “Rung Oi, Tho Di!” project is built upon the close integration of three strategic pillars, forming a closed-loop ecosystem that connects Nature – People – Economy:

• Native tree species: Priority is given to species that are naturally suited to local soil and climate conditions, ensuring strong resilience and healthy growth. These include native trees such as cho chi (Dipterocarpus), xoan dao (Prunus arborea), tau, boi loi, and black canarium, among others.
• Sustainable livelihoods: Instead of relying on short-term acacia plantations, local communities can earn stable incomes through green tourism products and under-canopy cultivation beneath mature forests. This approach allows residents to confidently transition to new models without economic insecurity.
• Community collaboration: The initiative “We Have Land – Let’s Join Hands to Plant Forests” brings together forest owners, neighboring tourism sites, and local communities to build a resilient ecosystem for Hoa Vang and gradually expand it nationwide. A clear testament to this shared commitment is the strategic partnership agreement between Toom Sara Village, Hoa Phu Thanh Tourist Area, and Cong Troi Dong Giang Ecotourism Area, united in their pledge to scale up native forest restoration across the region

By aligning local livelihoods with the vitality of native forests, the “Rung Oi, Tho Di!” project has created a promising self-sustaining green economy model. The participation of major tourism destinations in the region serves as a crucial catalyst for amplifying indigenous values, positioning Hoa Vang as an emerging highlight of sustainable ecotourism on Vietnam’s tourism map.

More Than 30 Young Saplings Take Root

In the solemn atmosphere of the launch ceremony, more than 30 cho chi (Dipterocarpus) saplings were planted in the Suoi Hoa area. Notably, a nameplate of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang City was placed at the planting site, standing as a strong testament to the shared commitment and close partnership between local authorities, businesses, and the community in the collective effort to protect and restore the environment.

The project is currently being successfully piloted in the Suoi Hoa area (Hoa Vang). The first green tourism packages have received strong support from volunteer communities and nature-loving visitors.

Let’s continue writing the story of the forest together with Toom Sara. Because only when the forest can breathe, can we truly live.