Authorities across the nation have been stepping up efforts to fight the illegal wildlife trade that threatens Vietnam’s rich, but rapidly dwindling biodiversity.
This month’s issue of our news magazine Outlook explores the threat to many of the country’s rare animals from wildlife traffickers who use increasingly sophisticated methods in a highly lucrative trade that caters to both the domestic consumers and markets abroad.
Outlook, which goes on sale in Hanoi, HCM City and other major centers this morning, also takes a look at the challenges to wildlife conservation, including widespread use of wildlife products across the country and poor public awareness on the seriousness of the threat.
Rare and endangered animals continue to be served up at speciality restaurants, and demand for traditional medicines made from rare animals is rising among an increasingly affluent middle class. The high profits and low risks for wildlife smugglers give them the upper hand against under-staffed and ill-equipped authorities fighting the illegal trade.
Also in this issue, we join Ba Vi’s herb hunters on a trip up the misty mountains, sample some of Nghe An Province’s eel delicacies and visit a village where the locals are reaping profits from a booming bamboo-products trade.
Outlook’s regular news round-up summarizes the major news developments locally and overseas. Readers can also catch up on what’s hot and not in the country’s culinary, sports and arts scenes - and check out our listings for everything from bars to embassies.
Outlook retails for VND 15,000 at news-stands, major hotels and restaurants, at the head office of the Viet Nam News at 11 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi, or at our HCM City office at 120 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.