A DTiNews reporter discovers first-hand about the illegal logging that is gradually decimating the protected forests of the Truong Son mountain range.

Vendors acting as a guide

Increasing numbers of loggers are adopting aggressive methods to take the highly valued wood.

The forests of Truong Son, in Quang Nam Province, are attracting an increasing number of illegal loggers who are adopting aggressive methods to take the highly-valued wood.

Loggers’ guide

I went with a fellow journalist to the Ho Chi Minh Trail section running from Dong Giang District to Nam Giang District in the central province of Quang Nam, going past the remains of already hacked tree trunks that litter the mountain sides.

The sounds of sawmills could be easily heard five kilometres from Nam Giang District’s Thanh My Township.

Upon trying to enter the logging camp we were accosted by loggers who threatened to attack me with saws and cudgels if i entered the area.

Later, when stopping at a nearby tea stand, a group of men with cudgels and more threats. Denying we were reporters and fending off questions from the tea stand owner, who seemed to be connected with the loggers, we claimed to be backpackers.

After seeking help from a fellow journalist in Danang, we finally got access to the camp. From our position in the bush we were able to see a motorbike carrying two to three metre-long tree trunks along the road to Nam Giang. The woman directing the motorbike was later confirmed to be the tea stall owner.

It took great effort to gain access to the loggers\' camp five kilometres from Thanh My Township: The temporary camp occupied 150 square metres, and was covered in fresh sawdust.

Used saw chains and cables had been discarded at the site, and there was evidence of tree trunks having been dragged from the forest.

Waiting for directions

Sawdust at the logging camp

A 40 centimetre layer of sawdust

Loggers’ leftovers

Traces of tree trunks

An abandoned tree trunk