The CITES Management Authority of Vietnam has just issued a written response to the recommendations of the Vietnam Agarwood Association regarding the genetic resources of the Dó bầu tree, the scientific names of species belonging to the genus Aquilaria, and the completion of the legal framework for agarwood export.

On July 31, 2026, the CITES Management Authority of Vietnam under the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection issued Official Letter No. 178/CITES, responding to the Petition dated June 10, 2026, of the Vietnam Agarwood Association.

Previously, the Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment forwarded the Association's petition to the CITES Management Authority of Vietnam for consideration and handling in accordance with regulations. The petition focused on adding Vietnam's Dó bầu tree genetic resources to the international genebank system, standardizing scientific names, and perfecting the legal framework serving the export of agarwood products.

Can coordinate with CITES Scientific Authorities of Vietnam

Regarding the proposal to study and update Vietnam's Aquilaria crassna species into the international genebank system, CITES Vietnam stated that the Association can contact CITES Scientific Authorities of Vietnam for consultation.

According to Article 35 of Circular No. 85/2025/TT-BNNMT, these agencies have the function of advising and assessing the status of populations, distribution areas, endangerment levels, and extinction risks of wild fauna and flora species; while also advising on CITES permit issuance activities for specimens listed in the Convention's Appendices.

The list of organizations and agencies designated as CITES Scientific Authorities of Vietnam was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Decision No. 1134/QĐ-BNNMT dated April 25, 2025.

CITES Vietnam also informed that the international database system Species+ has published data on the scientific name, country distribution, and relevant scientific documents related to Aquilaria crassna. This serves as an important foundation for the Association and research entities to continue building scientific dossiers, genetic data, distribution areas, and biological characteristics of Vietnam's Dó bầu genetic resources.

No regulations yet on recognizing commercial equivalence between species

The Vietnam Agarwood Association recommended reviewing and gradually recognizing the commercial equivalence among species within the genus Aquilaria, while standardizing the use of scientific names on export permits to reduce risks during customs clearance.

In response to this content, CITES Vietnam stated that the order and procedures for granting CITES permits for the export of specimens included in CITES Appendices are stipulated in Article 29 of Circular No. 85/2025/TT-BNNMT.

The scientific name of each species is determined according to Announcement No. 2337/TB-BNNMT dated March 13, 2026, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment regarding the List of Fauna and Flora in CITES Appendices following the 20th Conference of the Parties to CITES.

Notably, the CITES Management Authority of Vietnam stated that it has not yet received information from the CITES Secretariat regarding the recognition of commercial equivalence among species in the genus Aquilaria. If the CITES Secretariat issues new regulations, the Vietnamese management authority will organize implementation accordingly.

Therefore, at present, there is no international legal basis to automatically consider species in the genus Aquilaria as equivalent in commercial activities and export permit issuance.

Permits must accurately state the name Aquilaria crassna

Regarding the proposal to use internationally compatible scientific names or add "scientific notes" on CITES permits, the management authority confirmed that agarwood species belonging to the genus Aquilaria, including Aquilaria crassna, are all listed in CITES Appendix II.

Issuing export permits under the correct name Aquilaria crassna ensures compliance with international regulations while maintaining the accuracy of Vietnam's native genetic resources.

According to CITES Vietnam, current law has no provisions allowing the use of a scientific name different from the identified scientific name of the specimen. The CITES permit template also contains no section for "internationally compatible scientific names" or "scientific notes" as recommended by the Association.

The issuance and granting of permits must strictly comply with the standardized template of the CITES Convention, Notification No. 2026/005 dated January 9, 2026, of the CITES Secretariat, and Resolution 12.3 (Rev. CoP20).

Acknowledging proposals to strengthen coordination with the Association and enterprises

Regarding agarwood export dossiers, CITES Vietnam stated that general regulations on forest product dossiers were issued under Article 12 of Circular No. 26/2025/TT-BNNMT dated June 24, 2025.

Scientific labeling and product standardization for agarwood products do not fall under the functions and duties of the CITES Management Authority of Vietnam. However, regarding the recommendation to establish a coordination mechanism among state management agencies, industry associations, and enterprises, as well as organizing thematic meetings, CITES Vietnam has taken note and will study and propose to competent authorities for consideration where appropriate.

At the end of the document, the CITES Management Authority of Vietnam highly appreciated the opinions of the Vietnam Agarwood Association and expressed its desire to continue receiving the Association's coordination in the coming time.

The response document clarified the legal basis, authority of each agency, and regulations that must be complied with in CITES permitting activities. This also serves as a basis for the Vietnam Agarwood Association to continue gathering business difficulties, coordinating with scientific institutions and management agencies, and step by step completing scientific dossiers, product standards, and legal conditions serving the export of Vietnamese agarwood.