Exhibition raises public awareness of bear protection

A bear protection exhibition was kicked off in Hanoi on June 30, in the presence of the World Animal Protection (WAP) Ambassador - Thai singer and actor Tono Pakin Kumwilaisuk, to raise public awareness of the importance of bear protection.
World Animal Protection (WAP) Ambassador, Thai singer and actor Tono Pakin Kumwilaisuk (second row, third from left) pose for a photo at a bear protection exhibition in Hanoi on June 30. (Photo: ENV)

World Animal Protection (WAP) Ambassador, Thai singer and actor Tono Pakin Kumwilaisuk (second row, third from left) pose for a photo at a bear protection exhibition in Hanoi on June 30. (Photo: ENV)

The event was held by the Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV) and the WAP, featuring a number of activities, including displays of photos and information of bears in Vietnam, signing of commitments to protect bears, and a space for kids to colour pictures about bears and other wildlife animals.

According to ENV deputy director Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung, the WAP Ambassador will accompany bear protection and awareness-raising activities organised by the WAP and ENV to end bear farming in Vietnam. 

The Thai singer visited some bear farms in Phuc Tho district on the outskirts of Hanoi and held a talk with Forest Protection Department of Hai Phong city on the same efforts, she said.

Speaking at the event, Tono said it is pitiable for bears, a wild animal, to live in captivity. Vetnam has a large number of bears kept in farms; some of these farms are clean but some are dirty and not quite airy and spacious, he added.

He urged stronger joint efforts to end this situation and stricter penalties for violations of bear protection rules.

The number of bears in captivity in Vietnam has decreased dramatically from more than 4,300 in 2005 to 851 as of April 2018. To date, 22 localities have eliminated bear captivity.

Since the beginning of 2018, the last captive bears in Can Tho and Ninh Binh have been voluntarily transferred to animal rescue centres for better care, Dung noted.

Together with many actions taken by localities nationwide, it is a positive sign for the ending of bear farming in Vietnam in a near future, she added.

Tono Pakin Kumwilaisuk, who is best known for being among the eight finalists that competed in The Star, season 6, a singing contest broadcast live on Thai television. The 1986 born star has also been honoured with a range of awards, such as the 26th TV Gold Awards as Best Leading Actor (2012) and the OK Awards (2015).

Tono became a WAP Ambassador in 2013 and has been involved in various activities and projects run by the international organisation to improve animal welfare in Thailand since then. He is very active on social media with more than 2.2 million followers, which allows him to disseminate messages on animal protection.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.