A Nation in Transition: Vietnam's extraordinary economic development over the past three decades has transformed society, including attitudes toward animals. A growing middle class, urbanization, and international connectivity are driving significant changes in how animals are viewed and treated. Yet Vietnam also faces some of the most serious animal welfare challenges in Asia, from bear bile farming to the dog meat trade and its position as a major wildlife trafficking hub.
~400
Bears in bile farms (down from 4,000)
5M+
Dogs consumed annually (estimate)
2004
Year bear bile farming technically banned
2022
Hanoi banned dog/cat meat in central districts
Legal Framework
Vietnam's animal welfare legislation is fragmented and largely inadequate:
- Animal Health Law (2015): Primarily focuses on disease control and food safety, not animal welfare per se
- Penal Code: No specific provisions for animal cruelty
- Biodiversity Law and Wildlife Decrees: Cover protected species; enforcement has strengthened
Key Gap: Vietnam has no comprehensive animal cruelty law applicable to domestic animals. Cruelty to pets or livestock is not a criminal offense. This makes Vietnam one of the few major countries in the region without basic anti-cruelty legislation.
Recent Policy Progress
- Government wildlife trafficking crackdowns — multiple major seizures and prosecutions (2019–2024)
- Hanoi metropolitan government banned dog and cat meat sales in central districts (2022)
- Vietnam CITES Management Authority strengthening enforcement cooperation
Bear Bile Farming
A Documented Welfare Crisis
Bear bile farming — keeping Asiatic black bears (moon bears) in small cages and extracting bile through surgical fistulas — represents one of the most severe animal welfare situations in the world. Bears endure:
- Lifelong confinement in cages too small to stand or turn
- Chronic pain from bile extraction procedures
- Psychological trauma — stereotypic behaviors, self-mutilation documented
- Infections at extraction sites
- Malnutrition and dental disease from abnormal diets
Progress Toward Phase-Out
Vietnam technically banned new bear bile farm registrations in 2004 and extraction in 2014. The bear population in farms has fallen from approximately 4,000 to under 400 — a remarkable reduction. Key drivers:
- Animals Asia Foundation's rescue and sanctuary program — rescued 600+ bears, advocated for farm phase-out
- Government commitment to end bear bile farming entirely
- Synthetic alternatives to bear bile available commercially
- Growing domestic opposition to the practice, especially among younger Vietnamese
The remaining ~400 bears are in farms where owners are aging and registered bears cannot be replenished. The industry is dying but bears still suffer significantly in remaining facilities.
Dog and Cat Meat Trade
Vietnam is one of the largest consumers of dog meat in the world, with an estimated 5 million dogs consumed annually. The trade involves significant welfare problems:
- Dogs transported long distances in cramped wire cages — often in extreme heat
- High mortality during transport
- Slaughter methods widely documented as extremely inhumane
- Significant portion of dogs are stolen pets — causing additional harm to human-animal bonds
- Rabies transmission risk — dogs moved across provinces without health checks
Changing Attitudes
A significant cultural shift is underway, particularly in urban areas:
- Rapid growth in companion dog ownership, especially among under-40 urban Vietnamese
- Hanoi's 2022 ban on dog/cat meat in inner districts reflects changing urban norms
- Viral social media campaigns by Vietnamese animal welfare advocates reaching millions
- Growing number of restaurants removing dog meat from menus voluntarily
- WHO and GARC advocate for ending dog meat trade as part of rabies elimination strategy
Wildlife Trafficking
A Major Transit and Consumer Country
Vietnam has been identified as both a major consumer market and transit hub for illegal wildlife:
- Rhinoceros horn — despite legal ban, significant underground trade remains
- Pangolins — largest illegally traded mammal globally; Vietnam is a key market
- Tiger parts — tiger farms and underground trade documented
- Reptiles, songbirds, primates for pet trade
- Wildlife restaurants (thit thu rung) historically serving protected species
Enforcement Improvements
- Multiple major trafficking busts (2020–2024) — record pangolin scale seizures
- Wildlife Justice Commission working with Vietnamese authorities
- Government directive (2020) ending wildlife imports and wet markets for exotic species
- Education Forest program in schools building conservation values
The Growing Welfare Movement
Civil Society
- Animals Asia Vietnam: Bear rescue, welfare advocacy, humane education
- Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV): Wildlife crime reporting hotline and advocacy
- Four Paws Vietnam: Dog and cat welfare, street animal programs
- Dozens of smaller rescue organizations operating in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang
Cultural and Generational Shift
Perhaps the most significant welfare driver in Vietnam is generational change. Young, educated, urban Vietnamese increasingly identify with companion animal ownership, are connected to international welfare discourse via social media, and are driving demand for policy change. This demographic shift is likely the most powerful force for sustained welfare improvement over the coming decade.
Priority Recommendations
- Enact comprehensive anti-cruelty law covering domestic animals
- Complete phase-out of remaining bear bile farms with humane sanctuary transition
- National dog rabies vaccination program as basis for reducing dog meat trade
- Strengthen wildlife trafficking penalties and enforcement
- Support humane education programs in schools
- Develop companion animal registration system