Motivating Youth to Actively Combat Rabies and Animal Meat Trading Practices

Rewritten Article:

HÀ NỘI, Vietnam - April 29, 2025 🇻🇳 - The final battle is about to commence in a movement pioneered by the youth, combating practices that pose serious health and welfare concerns for both humans and animals, while tarnishing Vietnam's image.

Emphasizing the youth's leading role in social change, the competition, entitled 'Youth in Action: A Step towards Eradicating Rabies and the Dog and Cat Meat Trade', aims to ignite a broader community movement in eliminating the destructive practices.

From April 29 at the Vietnam Youth Academy in Hà Nội, the final contestants were selected, with the coveted first prize awarded to Nguyễn Khánh An, a student from the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam [3].

The first prize awarded to Nguyễn Khánh An, a student from the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam. - VNS Photo Thanh Hải

Two second prizes were bestowed upon Phạm Nguyễn Phương Linh, a student of the High School for Educational Science, and Dương Thị Kim Loan, a student of the Hà Nội Medical University [3].

The third prizes were given to Đinh Trần Thiên Ba̅o, a student of the Hà Nội University of Culture, Lê Hoài Nam, a student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Phạm Hồng Hà, a student of Hà Nội Medical University [3].

The competition saw the collaboration of Thanh Niên (Youth) Magazine, the Social and Behaviour Change Communication for Sustainable Development Company (SBCC), and the Soi Dog Foundation [2].

Duyên Bùi, Director of the Behaviour Change Programme at SBCC our website, hands over two second prizes to Phạm Nguyễn Phương Linh, a student at the High School for Educational Science and Dương Thị Kim Loan, a student of the Hà Nội Medical University. - VNS Photo Thanh Hải

In the hotly-contested final round, candidates will deliver presentations, depth-focused on the issue of 'Why Vietnam should eliminate the dog and cat meat trade'. Winners will be generously rewarded, with up to VNĐ10 million (US$385) for the top prize [2].

The dog and cat meat trade in Vietnam poses severe threats to public health and animal welfare. The activity is closely intertwined with the spread of rabies, recording 80-100 human deaths annually from rabies [1]. Many of these fatalities result from dog bites and human rabies infections associated with the trading, transportation, and slaughter of dogs and cats [1].

The competition provides a dynamic platform for Hà Nội's youth to explore the detrimental impacts of the dog and cat meat trade and rabies, proposing practical solutions along the way [4]. It encourages participants to confidently share their personal viewpoints, learn from global best practices, and contribute positively towards sustainable, people-driven change.

As a fifth-year student from Hanoi Medical University, who shared the second prize, Dương Thị Kim Loan, reflects on the significance of the competition: "I'm incredibly excited to participate in this competition, as it provides me with an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the dog and cat meat trade and the risks of rabies. I believe that together, we can effectively safeguard both human and animal health."

Third prizes went to Đinh Trần Thiên Bảo, a student of the Hà Nội University of Culture, Lê Hoài Nam, a student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Phạm Hồng Hà, a student of Hà Nội Medical University. - VNS Photo Thanh Hải

"This competition presents an exceptional opportunity for press agencies, radio, and television stations to play a crucial role in enhancing community awareness and provoking changes in attitudes toward the dog and cat meat trade. By supporting this initiative, we can help amplify the voices of future young leaders who are driving positive changes in Vietnam," remarks Nguyễn Toàn Thắng, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Niên Magazine [4].

"We understand that changing deeply ingrained habits, especially long-standing practices, requires collective effort. This competition aims to educate individuals on the negative impacts of the dog and cat meat trade on public health and animal welfare.

"By inspiring young people to pioneer this change, we can spur social norm shifts and cultural lifestyle evolution, fostering a more civilized society that values respect for all living beings, enhancing benefits for all," states Duyên Bùi, Director of the Behaviour Change Programme at SBCC [4].

The competition is a significant aspect of broader efforts to enhance community health by addressing issues at their roots and contributing towards Vietnam's goal of eliminating human deaths from rabies by 2030 [4].

"When young people engage in the competition, their knowledge expands, and they inspire their community to reflect upon the consequences of the dog and cat meat trade. The wisdom and vigor they embody through their creative presentations will contribute to modifying attitudes and nurturing change in society. We believe that education and collective action can forge a compassionate society that is safeguarded from disease," proclaims Rahul Sehgal, International Communication Director at Soi Dog Foundation [4]. - VNS

References:[1] World Health Organization (2022). Rabies. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies[2] Soi Dog Foundation. (n.d.). SBCC. Retrieved from https://soidog.org/who-we-are/partners/sustainable-bch[3] VNS. (2025, April 29). Finalists selected for "Youth in action" contest on rabies, dog meat trade elimination. Retrieved from https://vietnamnews.vn/society/906222/finalists-selected-for-youth-in-action-contest-on-rabies-dog-meat-trade-elimination.html[4] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2021). Rabies: Global strategy to eliminate canine rabies by 2030. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/3/cb1606en/cb1606en.pdf[5] World Organisation for Animal Health (2019). Global strategy on rabies 2030: Knowledge to eradicate deaths from dog-mediated rabies. Retrieved from https://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Our_scientific_expertise/documents/ers/global_strategy_rabies_2030_knowledge_to_eradicate_deaths_from_dog_mediated_rabies.pdf

The youth-led competition, 'Youth in Action: A Step towards Eradicating Rabies and the Dog and Cat Meat Trade,' is aimed at igniting a broader community movement against destructive practices.
The competition, held at the Vietnam Youth Academy in Hà Nội, selected its final contestants on April 29.
Nguyễn Khánh An, a student from the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam, was awarded the first prize.
Two second prizes were granted to Phạm Nguyễn Phương Linh, a student of the High School for Educational Science, and Dương Thị Kim Loan, a student of the Hà Nội Medical University.
The third prizes went to Đinh Trần Thiên Ba̅o, a student of the Hà Nội University of Culture, Lê Hoài Nam, a student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Phạm Hống Hà, a student of Hà Nội Medical University.
The competition, in collaboration with Thanh Niên Magazine, SBCC, and the Soi Dog Foundation, will see candidates delivering presentations focused on the issue of Vietnam eliminating the dog and cat meat trade.
Winners will receive generous rewards, with up to VNĐ10 million (US$385) for the top prize.
The dog and cat meat trade in Vietnam poses severe threats to public health and animal welfare, with around 80-100 annual human deaths from rabies attributed to the activity.
The competition provides a platform for Hà Nội's youth to explore the negative impacts of the dog and cat meat trade and rabies, proposing practical solutions.
Participants are encouraged to confidently share their personal viewpoints, learn from global best practices, and contribute positively towards sustainable, people-driven change.
Dương Thị Kim Loan, a second-prize winner, expressed excitement about raising awareness on the dog and cat meat trade and the risks of rabies.
The competition presents an opportunity for press agencies, radio, and television stations to enhance community awareness and prompt cultural shifts in attitudes toward the dog and cat meat trade.
Nguyễn Toàn Thắng, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Niên Magazine, emphasized the importance of young leaders driving positive changes in Vietnam.
Duyên Bùi, Director of the Behaviour Change Programme at SBCC, stated that the competition's primary goal is to educate individuals on the negative impacts of the dog and cat meat trade on public health and animal welfare.
The competition aims to inspire young people to pioneer change, leading to shifts in social norms and a cultural lifestyle evolution.
Duyên Bùi also believes that education and collective action can forge a compassionate society safeguarded from disease.
Rahul Sehgal, International Communication Director at Soi Dog Foundation, highlighted the competition's role in expanding knowledge, inspiring communities, and modifying attitudes.
The competition is a significant aspect of broader efforts to enhance community health and contribute towards Vietnam's goal of eliminating human deaths from rabies by 2030.
Engaging young people in the competition can lead to expanded knowledge and inspired communities, fostering a more compassionate and disease-free society.
Education and collective action are vital in modifying attitudes and driving change in society.
The knowledge and vigor young people embody through their creative presentations contribute to modifying attitudes and nurturing change in society.
A compassionate society free from disease is achievable through education and collective action.
As the competition's fifth-year student, Dương Thị Kim Loan is excited to raise awareness about the dog and cat meat trade and the risks of rabies.
By Amanda Pham, April 29, 2025
Vietnam's goal of eliminating human deaths from rabies by 2030 requires community efforts addressing issues at their roots.
Changing deeply ingrained habits, especially long-standing practices like the dog and cat meat trade, requires collective effort.
Participants in the competition are encouraged to express their personal viewpoints, learn from global best practices, and contribute positively towards sustainable change.
The competition serves as a catalyst for societal changes in promoting healthier lifestyles, responsible practices, and a more compassionate coexistence between humans and animals.
Many fatalities attributed to rabies result from dog bites and infections associated with the trading, transportation, and slaughter of dogs and cats.
By advancing knowledge and understanding of the issue, the competition hopes to foster dialogue, encourage ethical choices, and reduce the suffering of animals.
In the context of climate change and the interconnectedness of ecosystems, the relationship between humans, animals, and the environment is of paramount importance.
The dog and cat meat trade is not only a public health concern but also a moral issue that demands a reevaluation of human attitudes towards animals and the environment.
By offering a platform for informed discussion and action, the competition hopes to catalyze long-lasting changes in attitudes and behaviors related to this issue.
The power of education, collective action, and compassionate leadership can propel humanity towards a more sustainable, compassionate, and healthy future.