The family of Ngô Đại Lâm, Residential Group 10, Điện Biên Phủ ward, raises over 100 bamboo rats (dúi má đào), a common wild species. Their meat is rich in protein and minerals and is increasingly favored by the market. In recent years, people nationwide have started farming this species for commercial purposes.

According to Lâm, raising bamboo rats requires little investment. Their food, mainly fresh bamboo stems ground and mixed with starch and protein supplements, is abundant. Bamboo rats are resistant to disease, and their market price is high: about VND 700,000/kg for commercial meat, and VND 1.5-2 million per breeding pair (2-3 months old). However, because they are wild animals, farmers must comply fully with legal requirements. “You need to buy breeding stock from licensed facilities and report to forest rangers to obtain permits and monitoring records. Sales must also be declared with proper documentation,” Lâm explained.

In Thanh Hòa village, Thanh Nưa commune, the family of Nguyễn Văn Hùng raises nearly 100 civets (cầy vòi hương). Known for their musk glands, civets are valued in traditional medicine, while their meat is also considered a delicacy. Their diet consists mainly of ripe bananas with added vitamins and minerals. Females can reproduce from 12-15 months, with litters of 3-5 cubs. A breeding pair aged 2-5 months sells for about VND 10 million, while market prices for civet meat range from VND 1.6-1.8 million/kg. Yet civets are classified as group IIB species, restricted from exploitation for commercial use, and their farming is tightly regulated. “To raise civets, you must purchase from registered farms with official codes. Local rangers provide guidance and issue farm codes to ensure legal compliance,” Hùng said.

Wildlife farming is becoming a profitable occupation in Điện Biên. According to the provincial Forest Ranger Division, there are currently 126 registered wildlife farming facilities, including 25 raising endangered and precious species. Commonly farmed species include wild boars, porcupines, sika deer, and bamboo rats. Endangered species being farmed in recent years include masked palm civets, common palm civets, and monocled cobras.

Hà Lương Hồng, Head of the provincial Forest Ranger Division, noted: “The State allows farming of certain species for commercial purposes, but this industry is strictly managed to prevent wild-caught animals from being laundered into farms. Wildlife farming must also be carefully monitored for disease risks that could affect humans. Unauthorized trapping, capturing, or farming can lead to severe penalties under the law.”

Vietnam has been a member of the CITES convention since 1994. The Government has issued key legal documents, including Decree No.06/2019/NĐ-CP and Decree No.84/2021/NĐ-CP, regulating the farming and trade of both common and endangered wildlife species. Most recently, on June 24, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment issued Circular No.27/2025/TT-BNNMT, which provides detailed guidance on managing endangered species, farming common wild species, and implementing CITES regulations, including a priority list of protected species.

To ensure compliance, Hồng emphasized: “For endangered wildlife, hunting, trapping, or capturing carries severe penalties. When encountering wild animals, people should report to local authorities and rangers for rescue and release. If an endangered animal poses risks to people or livestock, the public should only drive it away and immediately notify the nearest competent agency. Local authorities and rangers will then seek official approval and adopt appropriate protection measures that balance community safety and conservation under State law.”