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Acacia wood (locally called “go tram”) is one of the most widely planted timber species in Vietnam, used for pallets, furniture, plywood and paper pulp. The price per cubic meter ranges from 500,000 VND for young plantation timber up to 7,000,000 VND or more for mature wood, depending on tree age, species and grade. This page sets out the current price table by age group and product type so buyers can plan procurement costs accurately.
Overview of acacia wood types in Vietnam
“Go tram” in Vietnamese covers several related species planted across different regions. The four main types differ in growth conditions, uses and market value.
1. Golden wattle (Acacia auriculiformis)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Acacia auriculiformis - also called earleaf acacia |
| Origin | Introduced to Vietnam in the 1960s-1970s from equatorial regions including Indonesia and Papua New Guinea; now widely planted in tropical monsoon zones |
| Soil requirement | pH 3.5-5.5, well-drained; tolerates heat and moderate drought |
| Main uses | Reforestation of bare hills; raw material for paper pulp and low-cost furniture |
2. Cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 7-35 m; slender trunk with layered grey, brown or white bark; narrow leaves and white or cream flower spikes |
| Distribution | Mainly in north-central provinces: Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh |
| Main uses | Leaves are steam-distilled for cajuput essential oil used in pain relief, cold treatment and skin-care products; antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties |
3. Melaleuca pile timber (tram cu)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Growth habit | Straight trunk, dense branches; grows in saline or acid-sulfate soils (pH 3.5-6); reaches 3-4 m/year, diameter 6-12 cm at maturity |
| Distribution | Dong Thap Muoi wetlands; Long An, Dong Thap, An Giang, Kien Giang, Ca Mau provinces |
| Main uses | Foundation piles for weak soil; structural timber for irrigation works, bridges and water channels; leaves yield essential oil for cosmetics |
4. Coastal acacia (tram dat)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Growth habit | Small thorny tree; grows along the south-central coast (Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa); slender deciduous leaves, twisted seed pods July-September |
| Timber quality | Deep golden colour; naturally resistant to termites and insects; prized for handicrafts and furniture |
| Legal status | Listed in Vietnam’s Red Book; commercial harvesting is banned for conservation |
Current acacia wood price per cubic meter
Prices depend on tree age, species and end-use grade. The table below gives reference prices as of 2025 for the most common market segments. Actual prices vary by region, volume and supplier.
1. Price by tree age
| Tree age | Price range (VND/m3) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | 500,000 - 630,000 | Paper pulp, chipboard raw material |
| 6-10 years | 1,100,000 - 1,300,000 | Pallet boards, low-grade structural timber |
| Over 10 years | 3,500,000 - 7,000,000 | Furniture, finger-jointed panels, premium pallet |
Prices are reference values from southern and central plantation markets. Add 5-10% for delivery to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Large-volume orders (over 50 m3) typically receive a discount of 5-8%.
2. Golden wattle (Acacia auriculiformis) price
| Grade | Price range (VND/m3) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raw timber (unprocessed logs) | 4,500,000 - 6,300,000 | Sawn from 6+ year trees; used for flooring, furniture blanks |
| Finger-jointed panel (van ghep) | Over 10,000,000 | Kiln-dried, edge-glued; furniture and interior grade |
3. Pallet-grade acacia price
| Board length | Price (VND/m3) | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 1,200 mm | 3,500,000 | Standard pallet deck board |
| 1,500 mm | 3,900,000 | Heavy-duty pallet, export grade |
| 2,000 mm | 3,900,000 | Long-span industrial pallet |
Pallet-grade boards are sawn from 6-10 year plantation acacia, dried to 18-22% moisture content. Boards meet ISPM 15 heat-treatment requirements when processed at a certified facility.
Factors that affect the price of acacia wood
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Tree age | Older trees yield denser, stronger timber and command significantly higher prices per m3 |
| Species | Coastal acacia (tram dat) is the most expensive; golden wattle is mid-range; young plantation material is cheapest |
| Processing grade | Raw logs are cheapest; kiln-dried sawn timber adds 20-40%; finger-jointed panels add 60-100% over raw log price |
| Moisture content | Air-dried (18-22%) costs more than green timber; kiln-dried to under 15% costs more again |
| Volume ordered | Orders over 50 m3 typically receive 5-8% discount; spot purchases under 5 m3 may carry a surcharge |
| Region and season | Prices rise during the dry season when logging is easier and demand from furniture factories peaks |
Acacia wood vs other pallet timbers: cost comparison
| Criterion | Rubber wood (cao su) | Pine (thong) | Acacia (tram) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (VND/m3) | 5,000,000 - 8,000,000 | 4,000,000 - 6,000,000 | 3,500,000 - 7,000,000 |
| Density | High; hard surface | Medium; light | Medium-high; flexible grain |
| Termite resistance | Moderate (needs treatment) | Low (must treat) | Good in dry conditions |
| ISPM 15 compliance | Yes, after treatment | Yes, after treatment | Yes, after treatment |
| Availability | Good - planted widely in the south | Moderate - mostly imported | Very good - planted nationwide |
| Best for | Heavy-duty pallets, furniture | Light export pallets | General-purpose pallets, panels |
Related articles
| Is acacia wood good? Key properties explained | Disadvantages of acacia wood - should you buy? | Acacia wood in English: species names and terminology |
Frequently asked questions about acacia wood price
1. How much does acacia wood cost per cubic meter in Vietnam?
Plantation acacia (3-5 years) costs 500,000-630,000 VND/m3 for pulp grade. Mid-age timber (6-10 years) runs 1,100,000-1,300,000 VND/m3 for pallet boards. Mature timber (over 10 years) ranges from 3,500,000 to 7,000,000 VND/m3 depending on species and processing grade.
2. What is the price of pallet-grade acacia boards?
Pallet-grade acacia boards sawn to 1,200 mm length are priced at approximately 3,500,000 VND/m3. Boards at 1,500 mm and 2,000 mm lengths are around 3,900,000 VND/m3. Prices include basic air-drying but not ISPM 15 heat treatment.
3. Why is finger-jointed acacia panel so much more expensive?
Finger-jointed panels (van tram ghep) exceed 10,000,000 VND/m3 because the process requires kiln-drying to under 12% moisture, precision finger-cutting, gluing under controlled conditions and surface sanding. The value added in processing far exceeds the raw timber cost.
4. Is acacia wood cheaper than rubber wood for pallets?
For pallet-grade timber, acacia at 3,500,000-4,000,000 VND/m3 is generally cheaper than rubber wood at 5,000,000-8,000,000 VND/m3. Both species require ISPM 15 heat treatment for export and perform similarly for general-purpose pallet construction.
5. Does tree age really affect the price that much?
Yes, significantly. A 3-5 year tree yields soft, low-density wood suitable only for pulp (500,000-630,000 VND/m3). A 6-10 year tree produces timber dense enough for structural pallet boards (1,100,000-1,300,000 VND/m3). Over 10 years, grain tightens and density rises, pushing prices to 3,500,000-7,000,000 VND/m3 for premium grades.
6. Where is acacia wood planted in Vietnam?
Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia mangium are planted across the Central Highlands, the north-central coast (Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh) and parts of the north-east. These regions supply most of the plantation timber feeding furniture factories and pallet manufacturers.
7. Can acacia wood pallets be used for export?
Yes. Acacia wood pallets can meet ISPM 15 requirements when heat-treated at a certified facility (core temperature 56 degrees C for 30 minutes). The pallet must be stamped with the IPPC mark. ICD Vietnam supplies wood pallets that comply with ISPM 15 export requirements.
Contact ICD Vietnam
Contact ICD Vietnam
Hotline: 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn | Zalo: Chat Zalo
