Director of the Hanoi Sub-Department of Animal Husbandry, Aquaculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nguyễn Đình Đảng, speaks at the event. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

HÀ NỘI — Experts gathered on October 28 to discuss measures to strengthen rabies prevention and promote the gradual transition of dog and cat meat trade activities in Hà Nội.

The conference was jointly organised by the Hà Nội Sub-Department of Animal Husbandry, Aquaculture and Veterinary Medicine under the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the Soi Dog Foundation and Vietnam Social and Behaviour Change Communication for Sustainable Development Company (SBCC Vietnam).

The event is part of the project 'Pilot model for Rabies prevention and Sustainable economic development – phased-transition of dog and cat meat trade activities in selected areas of Hà Nội,' approved by the City People’s Committee on July 24, 2025.

The project aims to implement the National Target Programme for Zero Human Rabies Deaths by 2030, while enhancing management capacity, improving disease control and gradually adopting animal welfare standards in line with international practices.

Director of the Hanoi Sub-Department of Animal Husbandry, Aquaculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nguyễn Đình Đảng, said: "This is one of the concrete activities demonstrating the sector's efforts in protecting community health and ensuring animal welfare. We expect that by enhancing capacity for grassroots staff, rabies prevention and control work will be implemented more effectively, while gradually supporting the transition away from dog and cat meat trading activities."

At the conference, attendees received updated information and technical guidance on rabies exposure management and animal vaccination techniques. Discussions also focused on inter-sectoral cooperation experience in disease prevention and control.

Key topics included state management of rabies prevention and control, strengthening inter-sectoral coordination in regulating animal and animal product trading and transportation, and assessing the link between dog and cat trading and slaughtering with rabies transmission risks. Strategies were also explored to achieve 'Zero human rabies deaths by 2030' alongside communication solutions and livelihood transition support for dog and cat meat business owners and operators.

Faizan Jalil, International Communications Senior Manager of Soi Dog Foundation, speaks at the event. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

Beyond rabies prevention and control, the conference also focused on behaviour change communication solutions and sustainable livelihood transition for dog and cat meat trading and slaughtering facility owners.

Rahul Sehgal, International Communications Director of the Soi Dog Foundation, said: "We hope to support livelihood transition programmes for those currently involved in dog and cat trading and slaughtering activities. Through education campaigns and awareness raising, we hope to contribute to promoting responsible pet ownership and reducing consumption demand, creating sustainable economic development solutions that benefit both people and animals." 

Ms Bùi Thị Duyên, Director of SBCC Vietnam social enterprise, shared: "Sustainable change requires a fundamental transformation in awareness and behaviour across all social strata. Our social enterprise aims to develop campaigns appropriate to local culture, creating conditions for people to actively participate in building a safer and more humane Hà Nội."

The conference was designed to equip participating staff with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement solutions that can improve community health, animal welfare, and the quality of life for Hà Nội residents.

In the coming period, activities will focus on expanding the programme and promoting inter-sectoral cooperation across all pilot areas, with the aim of building a network of safe communities that can serve as a reference model for other cities in Việt Nam.

According to data from Việt Nam's Animal Health Information System (VAHIS), from the beginning of the year to date, rabies has been recorded in 157 communes across 24 provinces and cities, with a total of 323 dogs and cats culled.

Regarding human rabies, reports from the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology show that as of September 8, 2025, the country has recorded 57 suspected cases or deaths from rabies in 18 provinces and cities. These figures indicate that the rabies situation remains complex and requires more synchronised and effective intervention measures in the coming period. — VNS