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Current Lacquer Tree (Rhus Succedanea) Farming & Distribution Situation in Vietnam

  • Writer: Nacipe
    Nacipe
  • Aug 5
  • 3 min read

Updated: Aug 10

Limited Land Resources for Cultivation

Tam Nong district, Phu Tho province where the lacquer tress (Rhus Succedanea) is grown mainly in Vietnam has approximately 12,000 hectares of forestry land, but less than 5% of that area is currently allocated for lacquer tree cultivation—and the figure is steadily declining. This is largely because upland areas are increasingly prioritized for short-cycle commercial crops like acacia and eucalyptus, which offer faster returns and lower risk. In communes such as Tu My and Dan Quyen, the land suitable for lacquer trees has dwindled to less than 20 hectares, much of which is now being considered for other development projects.


Vietnam lacquer tree farm
Nacipe Lacquer Tree Farm


Land Degradation and Lack of Effective Intensive Farming Practices

According to surveys conducted by local agricultural authorities, more than 70% of long-term lacquer-growing land in Tam Nong is degraded due to continuous tapping without soil improvement or fertilization. Currently, only 30–40% of trees produce sap that meets quality standards, and the average yield is just 4–6 kg of resin per tree per year—far below the optimal 8–10 kg yield achievable under good soil and proper care.


Unstable Market and Fragmented Production

Around 90% of Tam Nong’s lacquer resin is sold through private collectors, who in turn resell to larger traders in Phu Tho, Hanoi to export to China. Due to the absence of long-term contracts or stable distribution channels, prices fluctuate significantly, depending on quality and season. This volatility makes it difficult for farmers to plan production or ensure profitability.


Moreover, the entire production and harvesting system remains highly fragmented and small-scale, spread across many individual households. Without a coordinated purchasing and logistics network, it is challenging to consolidate large quantities for processing factories or international buyers. This lack of integration also results in inconsistent quality control, storage, and resin testing—hindering the product's value on the market.


Lack of Quality Testing and Standardization in Lacquer Distribution

Another major barrier in Vietnam’s lacquer production and distribution is the lack of technical capacity for chemical testing. Very few suppliers have access to advanced equipment such as GC-MSD—a key analytical tool used to determine the chemical composition of lacquer resin.


Without such tools, it is nearly impossible to verify:

- The laccol content (the film-forming compound essential to lacquer quality)

- Whether the resin has been adulterated with low-grade resins

- The presence of chemical stimulants like ethephon or other synthetic additives


As a result, the quality of Rhus Succedanea resin on the market is highly inconsistent. Many batches may contain impurities or fail to meet the physical properties required for processing, leading to poor adhesion, mold formation, or incomplete curing. This inconsistency poses significant risks for artists, craftspeople, and especially international buyers in industries such as fine lacquerware production or restoration.


Usage of Rhus Succedanea Tree Resin Stimulation

In recent years, some lacquer farmers in provinces such as areas like Phu Tho, Yen Bai, or Tuyen Quang have started applying chemical stimulants to increase resin output. These substances are often marketed as ways to make lacquer sap flow faster, stronger, and more evenly—boosting short-term economic gains for the farmers.

The stimulants commonly used are plant growth regulators or mild acids that are applied directly to tapping cuts to stimulate rapid sap flow. Known and suspected substances include:

▪️ Ethephon (2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid)
  • Mechanism: Decomposes into ethylene upon contact with plant tissue, triggering increased metabolic activity and sap excretion.

  • Use: Widely used in agriculture for rubber tapping and fruit ripening.

  • Impact & Technical Risks: Damages the resin transport system, causing long-term "resin fatigue" or sap exhaustion in trees; Reduces resin quality: lower viscosity, degraded laccol content, and unstable film formation.


▪️ Acetic Acid (Industrial Vinegar)
  • Mechanism: Mild acid that irritates or softens the tissue at the tapping wound, facilitating quicker and greater resin flow.

  • Use: Typically diluted and applied directly on the bark.

  • Impact & Technical Risks: Burns cells near the tapping cut, damaging live tissues and resin ducts; Alters resin pH and consistency, making it more perishable and harder to preserve; Long-term use can crack bark, dry stems, and allow microbial contamination.


▪️ Unlabeled/Unknown Chemicals
  • These stimulants are sold in unmarked bottles under names like “resin booster” or “fast tapping agent.” Their chemical compositions are unclear and unregulated​

  • Impact & Technical Risks: No dosage control; high risk of overdosing; May contain toxic compounds harmful to humans and the environment; Resin from these trees is often chemically altered—unable to form quality film, and fails export-grade standards.

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