A policy dialogue held on December 3, 2024, highlighted the urgent need to eliminate the dog and cat meat trade in Vietnam, bringing together national policymakers and international experts to explore solutions. The event, broadcast on Vietnam National Assembly Television (VNATV), focused on the public health risks posed by the trade, including the spread of rabies, and its negative impact on animal welfare and the country’s global image.
According to recent estimates, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia account for the slaughter of approximately 10 million dogs and cats annually, with Vietnam contributing around five million dogs and one million cats to the trade. This issue has raised alarm due to its effects on public safety and the reputation of Vietnam, both locally and internationally, prompting calls for immediate intervention.
Nguyễn Quang Huân, a deputy in the National Assembly and member of its Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment, emphasized the lack of specific legislation to curb the trade. He urged a shift towards practical measures, such as a government decree that would regulate the transport, sale, and slaughter of dogs and cats, rather than waiting for the long-term development of comprehensive laws.
“Hanoi should take the lead in piloting this initiative, then expand it nationwide,” Huân stated.
The dialogue also examined the broader implications of the dog and cat meat trade, including its economic impact on Vietnam’s tourism industry, especially in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Drawing inspiration from successful international examples, such as South Korea’s legislative efforts to eliminate its own dog meat trade, experts proposed several policy recommendations to address the issue comprehensively.
Ngô Đình Loát, Deputy Head of Hanoi’s Sub-Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Veterinary Medicine, shared the city’s recent efforts to control rabies and regulate the dog and cat meat trade. Hanoi has implemented a city-wide plan aligned with the National Target Program for Rabies Prevention and Control (2022-2030), which includes strict domestic dog management, mandatory rabies vaccination, and the establishment of rabies-free zones.
Rahul Sehgal, International Communications Director at the Soi Dog Foundation, stressed the significant health and welfare risks posed by the trade. He also commended Hanoi’s policy approach and reiterated his organization’s commitment to eliminating the trade through educational campaigns, law enforcement training, and alternative livelihood programs for those involved in the industry.
The dialogue concluded with several key proposals aimed at eradicating the dog and cat meat trade and achieving a rabies-free Vietnam. These included the development of enforcement mechanisms, penalties for violations, support for businesses transitioning away from the trade, and increased public education on animal welfare.
By reaching millions of viewers through VNATV, the dialogue is expected to spark widespread public discussion and mobilize support for new policies. Bùi Duyên, Social and Behaviour Change Director at Intelligentmedia, highlighted the role of televised dialogue sessions in fostering social change. “This platform engages both authorities and the public, creating momentum for concrete actions that can transform the issue of dog and cat meat trade in Vietnam,” Duyên said.
This dialogue marks a crucial first step in Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to address the dog and cat meat trade through targeted, systemic reforms.
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