Vietnam has launched a public awareness campaign highlighting the illegality of ivory trade, specifically targeting international tourists, as part of its broader efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.

The campaign is spearheaded by the Vietnam Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Management Authority, in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature in Vietnam (WWF-Vietnam).

The initiative aims to educate tourists about Vietnam’s strict legal stance on ivory trade, emphasizing that buying, selling, or possessing ivory is illegal and will be prosecuted.

The campaign’s key visuals and message, including ‘Vietnam Says No to Ivory,' are being displayed on outdoor screens at major international airports and popular tourist destinations in Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City. 

The campaign is also being promoted widely on WWF-Vietnam’s social media platforms.

WWF-Viet Nam’s chief conservation officer Thibault Ledecq stressed that the fight against ivory trade is not just an environmental issue but also a cultural and ethical responsibility.

“This communication campaign aims not only to raise awareness of the harmful effects of the illegal ivory trade but also to advocate for joint efforts to protect wildlife," he said.

The campaign includes public outreach activities, workshops, and community events to educate the public about the consequences of ivory consumption and promote wildlife conservation.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 90 percent of all seized African ivory ends up in Southeast Asia and China.

Reports from the Elephant Trade Information System indicated that Vietnam has been the country with the largest volume of seized ivory since 2018, serving as a key transit point and accounting for 34 percent of detected imported ivory.

Finished ivory products from Vietnam are often shipped to other countries, while some are sold domestically to local consumers and foreign tourists, including through online platforms.

Tourism plays a significant role in the illegal ivory trade, with some tourist areas still displaying and offering wildlife products, including ivory items. 

This demand fuels the trade and contributes to the endangerment of numerous species.

WWF-Vietnam noted that many tourists mistakenly believe purchasing ivory in Vietnam is legal.

WWF-Vietnam emphasized that tour operators and travel agencies must take responsibility in educating tourists, ensuring they avoid illegal purchases that harm Vietnam’s wildlife and reputation.

The global elephant population is in rapid decline due to poaching and habitat loss. 

The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimated that the African elephant population had dropped to just 415,000 in 2016 from 1.3 million in 1979. Meanwhile, only about 50,000 Asian elephants remained in the wild as of 2018.

In 2025, CITES will mark its 50th anniversary as the leading international agreement combating the illegal wildlife trade. 

Vietnam has been a CITES signatory since 1994 and has progressively strengthened its legal framework to regulate and control wildlife trade.

Both Asian and African elephants are highly protected under CITES regulations, and in Vietnam, elephants are classified as Group I endangered species, requiring the highest level of conservation protection.

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