A bear in a cage lying on its side, looking through the bars to camera

Ending bear bile farming Vietnam

Ending one of the cruelest industries in the world

For decades, bears across Asia have suffered in silence – confined to tiny cages, their bile painfully extracted for use in traditional medicine. Although bile extraction is now illegal in Vietnam, the practice continues due to ongoing demand, legal loopholes and limited enforcement.

Animals Asia is working to end the practice for good. We’re rescuing the remaining surviving bears, investigating illegal activity and reducing demand to bring about a truly bear bile farming free Vietnam. 

Bear rescues

Since 2007, Animals Asia has rescued over 700 bears from bile farms across Vietnam – each rescue the result of collaboration with government authorities, local enforcement agencies, traditional medicine practitioners and local communities.

We identify bears in need, negotiate their release, and carry out complex rescues. We transport each rescued bear safely to our sanctuaries, where their new lives begin.

Our approach is built on cooperation, not confrontation. We engage directly with bear farmers, listening with empathy and offering practical support.

Rescue workers move an Animals Asia red transport cage down a wet urban alley during an animal rescue relocation.
Animals Asia team lifts a metal bar to position rescue equipment beside a vehicle during an urban animal rescue.
Animal rescue workers transport a bear in a red metal cage at a sanctuary, surrounded by greenery.
Veterinary team provides medical care to a tranquilized bear using monitoring equipment during a rescue operation.

Government and policy

In 2017, Animals Asia signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding with the Vietnamese government. This agreement commits both parties to ending bear bile farming nationwide, rescuing the remaining bears and providing lifetime care. 

Our team works directly with policy-makers and public officials at national and provincial levels to support the enforcement of Vietnam’s ban on bile extraction. We provide training, legal guidance and resources. The next step in our work with the government is to address the final legal loophole that allows bears to be kept in private households.

We also run public awareness campaigns that highlight the legal consequences of bear bile trading. These initiatives are crucial to shifting behaviour and ensuring that legal protections are both understood and upheld.

Animals Asia representative and official exchange documents and shake hands during a formal partnership signing ceremony.
Officials observe and interact with a bear’s paw during a rescue or veterinary assessment inside a clinic.
Group of rescue center staff and officials discuss bear sanctuary operations in front of Animals Asia banner.
Uniformed officer and Animals Asia team member shake hands at a pledge signing event to protect bears.

Reducing demand

Although bear bile farming is illegal in Vietnam, it still persists – driven by ongoing demand, gaps in enforcement, and the deeply held belief that bear bile is the most effective medicine for certain health issues.

That’s why reducing demand is crucial. Animals Asia has been working with the Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Association to promote plant-based alternatives to bear bile and, as a result, all 60,000 of its members have pledged never to prescribe bear bile – a landmark shift in attitudes that helps tackle the issue at its source.

We’ve also published a bilingual herbal remedy book featuring over 40 cruelty-free treatments rooted in centuries of traditional wisdom. Through herbal medicine clinics, educational events, and partnerships with practitioners, we’re replacing harmful practices with compassionate, culturally respectful alternatives.

Rescue team members examine a bear inside a transport cage during a bear rescue operation.

700+ bears rescued and brought home to our sanctuaries

Animals Asia representative and official shake hands at a bear bile usage awareness campaign event.

60,000 traditional medicine practitioners agreed to stop prescribing bear bile

School children in blue uniforms reading educational materials outdoors during an awareness event.

10,000+ people reached through our outreach campaigns

Asiatic black bear resting its paws on a wooden ledge in a natural, forested sanctuary setting.

Most provinces in Vietnam now bear farm free

Education and awareness

Animals Asia’s education programs reach schools, universities and communities where bile farming once thrived. In areas like Phung Thuong – a bear bile farming stronghold – our outreach has led to visible shifts in attitudes and public support for bear welfare.

We run workshops, bear-themed events and interactive lessons designed to teach empathy and environmental responsibility. Thousands of students across Vietnam have participated and brought the message home to their families.

We also run national public awareness campaigns. These include billboard campaigns, social media outreach, and media partnerships with local celebrities and influencers. Student groups and NGOs partner with us to amplify this message across Vietnam.

School children and presenter stand on stage beside a bear awareness poster during an educational event.
Health professionals and community members discuss herbal alternatives at a traditional medicine outreach table.
Children view educational animal posters displayed outdoors during an awareness event led by a volunteer.
Community members and Animals Asia staff pose indoors holding green animal welfare boxes at a local event.

Investigations

Our investigations team monitors trends in the trade of bear bile and bear parts, identifies illegal sales channels, and helps the authorities locate bears still held in captivity.

We work closely with law enforcement agencies, supporting on-the-ground inspections and enhancing their capacity for outreach, bear surrender and rescue operations. 

The data we gather is used to inform national policy, refine outreach strategies, and close the final loopholes that allow this industry to survive. Our ongoing investigations are critical to achieving a truly bear bile farm free Vietnam.