The final hurdle: ending bear bile farming in Vietnam
After 25 years of tireless work, we are closer than ever to ending bear bile farming in Vietnam.
Hundreds of bears have already been rescued. Two world-class sanctuaries now stand ready to welcome the final survivors. And the government of Vietnam remains committed to working with us to close this chapter of the country’s history forever.
But for the last 156 bears still trapped on farms, time is running out – and this is the moment we need your support more than ever.
A mission 25 years in the making
Since 1998, Animals Asia has worked hand in hand with the government of Vietnam, communities and traditional medicine practitioners to end bear bile farming – a practice that causes immense suffering and has driven the Asiatic black bear toward extinction.
In 2017, we signed a historic agreement with the Vietnamese government, committing to end bear bile farming in Vietnam by 2026. With the unwavering kindness of our supporters, we have rescued nearly 300 bears and built two sanctuaries – our flagship Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre in Tam Dao and our new Bach Ma Bear Rescue Centre, which opened in 2023.
These sanctuaries now stand as symbols of hope – safe, peaceful homes for bears who have known only fear and confinement.
Why we’re at a critical moment
The final phase of this journey has become the most challenging. In many of the remaining bear bile farming strongholds, bear owners are reluctant to surrender their bears.
Most of these families have kept their bears for over 20 years. While bear bile extraction is illegal, keeping bears that were registered years ago is still permitted under Vietnamese law – meaning we can’t simply remove the bears.
Our approach has always been rooted in kindness and respect. We are working closely with the Vietnamese government to encourage bear owners to voluntarily hand over their bears to our care, and to strengthen national policies that protect bears for the long term.
This work takes patience and diplomacy – but it is the only way to achieve lasting, humane change.
What we’re doing now
Animals Asia is taking action on multiple fronts to free the final bears and ensure that bear bile farming ends for good.
Government engagement
We continue to work closely with the Vietnamese government at every level to keep bear protection high on the agenda. Together, we are urging the end of permissions that allow bears to be kept in private homes, now that our Bach Ma sanctuary stands ready to receive them.
Community outreach
Our teams are visiting bear owners in partnership with local Forest Protection Departments, building trust and showing them the care and compassion their bears will receive in sanctuary. We’re hosting open days, distributing information packs, and screening short films in local communities to showcase the happy, healthy lives of rescued bears.
Sanctuary readiness
Our new bear sanctuary in Bach Ma is fully operational and staffed by a dedicated Vietnamese team. It offers exceptional veterinary care, spacious natural enclosures, and lifelong safety for every bear rescued.
Nineteen bears have already been brought to Bach Ma, and while some sadly passed away due to years of ill health, fourteen now call it home – the beginning of a new life filled with care, freedom, and friendship.
11,000 voices for Vietnam
Around the world, more than 11,000 supporters have joined us in writing to the Vietnamese government – urging continued collaboration to bring every last bear home.
Each letter was written respectfully and in the spirit of partnership. Together, these messages show global appreciation for Vietnam’s progress, while encouraging leaders to take the final steps needed to fulfil our shared goal.
Looking ahead: the final hurdle
After 25 years of progress, we have everything in place to end bear bile farming in Vietnam – two world-class sanctuaries, an historic agreement with the government, and the experience and commitment to finish what we started.
Now, we must strive to reach as many of the bears who remain trapped in cages as we possibly can, as fast as we can. With your continued support, we can Free the Final Bears and make Vietnam the first country in Asia to end bear bile farming forever.
Together, we can finish what we started. Together, we can bring them home.