Agarwood trees, locally known as “do bau,” grew naturally in surrounding forests, but for many years their economic value was largely unrecognised. A turning point came around 1980 when traders from Hue began arriving in the area to purchase agarwood trees. Having previously served in wartime and being familiar with the mountainous terrain, Anh knew where old agarwood trees were likely to be found. Just as importantly, he urged residents to grow agarwood trees rather than depend on wild harvesting, fostering a sustainable local industry. According to local authorities, Phuc Trach now has around 1,000 hectares of agarwood trees, generating approximately 200 billion VND (7.6 million USD) in annual revenue.

Source: VietNamNet News March 21, 2026 13:27 UTC