In the period from June 2015 to February 2017, the VNGO-FLEGT network conducted “Baseline Surveys on Compliance to Timber Legality Definition at Household level” in 43 communes belong to 13 districts and 02 cities of 08 provinces of Vietnam, including Hoa Binh, Quang Ninh, Phu Tho, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh and Kon Tum. A mixed-method approach, including review of secondary data, key informant interviews, household interviews, and group discussions, was employed to obtain data about legal regulations, control institutions, households involved, plantation forest and timber products, procedures for timber exploitation, transport and processing, and compliance with legal regulation.

Findings reveal that timber exploitation, transportation and processing are key economic and common activities of households in the study area, particularly those with sufficient land and labor, and financial capital. Small-scale timber exploitation, transportation and processing are carried out by individual households without any linkage or business cooperation. However, these activities provide significant incomes for households.