Ngoc Linh ginseng area.

The province expected that after considering the recommendation, the ministry would submit it to the prime minister for a decision.

However, according to the ministry, Quang Nam did not clearly clarify the specific location of the forest area in Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve to be used for the road project. So the ministry did not have enough foundations to define whether it is possible to change the use purpose of the forest area or not.

The ministry added that the project needed to be assessed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, not provincial authorities, for its environmental impact.

Quang Nam has experienced many landslides over the past years, particularly when the province is located in the area of fault lines. Therefore, it is essential for the province to carefully reconsider opening a road in the forest.

Quang Nam recently faced consecutive landslides following storms, including a fatal incident in Tra Lang Commune, which left many people dead and missing.