From thatched barns to green circulation in the livestock industry

From "enough food" to commodity production

In the flow of celebrations marking the 80^th National Day, the Exhibition on Achievements in Agriculture and Environment unfolds like a multi-layered painting. There, memories of buffalo and cow barns made of bamboo and simple thatched roofs blend harmoniously with the modern rhythm of high-tech farms. The exhibition space recreates the development journey of the agriculture and environment sector, where the achievements of livestock farming can be felt through the strong growth of the entire agriculture.

The journey began on November 14, 1945, with the establishment of the Ministry of Farming, which included veterinary services, livestock, and fisheries. One year later, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 62, officially laying the foundation for the veterinary management agency. By 1950, Decree No. 125-SL on the prevention and control of livestock infectious diseases was promulgated, marking the first legal document shaping the veterinary system. For the first four decades, livestock farming remained largely small-scale and household-based, producing mainly for self-sufficiency and family meals.

The Doi Moi reform in 1986 opened a new chapter. Livestock farming gradually shifted from "enough food" to commodity production. High-yield imported breeds such as Yorkshire, Landrace, and Duroc pigs, as well as Holstein Friesian and Jersey dairy cows, were introduced. At the same time, domestic research institutes successfully crossbred new pig lines such as DBI-81 and BSI-81, creating the premise for the formation of an industrial livestock farming mindset.

Since 2001, international integration has accelerated livestock farming's path toward industrialization, with the appearance of large-scale farms. Closed linkage chains have gradually taken shape, from seed, feed, and processing to distribution. The most tangible achievement is reflected in its growth rate: in just 15 years, meat production has doubled, egg output has tripled, and fresh milk production has quadrupled. Vietnam now ranks third in ASEAN for raw fresh milk production and leads Southeast Asia in industrial animal feed output.

At many major events in the livestock and veterinary sector, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien has repeatedly highlighted the transformation journey from small-scale farming to today's production of over 7 million tons of meat, 19 billion eggs, and nearly 1.3 million tons of fresh milk each year. Industrial feed production now exceeds 21 million tons, placing Vietnam among the world’s top 12 producers. Yet, according to the leader of the Ministry, the greater significance beyond these figures lies in the maturation of the disease control and food safety system. This system is the foundation for Vietnam's processed chicken, milk, and bird’s nests to enter the most demanding markets, such as Japan and China.

The story of integration is clearly reflected through its success in veterinary vaccine research. For the first time, an African swine fever vaccine has been produced domestically, not only protecting the country’s pig herd but also being exported to five countries, placing Vietnam’s veterinary science firmly on the global map.

For buffalo and cow herds, many diseases that once caused decades of concern, such as foot-and-mouth disease, pasteurellosis, anthrax, and lumpy skin disease, have now been brought under control. Thanks to mass vaccination programs, epidemiological surveillance, and transport quarantine, disease-free zones have been established, opening the door for Vietnam’s beef, milk, and cow breeds to access international markets.

Green circular loops on Nghe Land's grasslands

Within this broader picture, the circular economy is becoming a new direction for Vietnam’s livestock industry. In the past, waste was once an environmental burden, but today, with a circular mindset, every output is regenerated into an input for another production cycle, creating new value. One of the enterprises pioneering in this trend is TH Group, with its large-scale dairy farm cluster in Nghia Dan (Nghe An).

Beyond its real-world operations, TH also brought to the exhibition a booth designed as a "window" into the world of modern farms. Alongside panels introducing the company's philosophy, visitors could explore a miniature model of the closed production chain: from farming barns equipped with electronic chips to automated milking systems and robotic processing lines.

Large screens continuously displayed scenes of cows being cared for with scientifically formulated diets, connected online with the data management center. Every detail was recreated to make visitors feel as though they were stepping into a miniature dairy factory at the exhibition, a place where technology and nature harmoniously converge.

Behind this booth lies a green circular system operating daily in Nghia Dan. Tens of thousands of dairy cows are raised on balanced diets, monitored via electronic chips, and kept in a fully closed environment.

From manure and wastewater to solid residues, everything is put back into a regenerative cycle: manure is directed into biogas cellars to generate gas for production; wastewater passes through multiple microbial treatment stages before returning to the grasslands; and residues are fermented into organic fertilizer to enrich the soil, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizer.

Meanwhile, barn roofs are equipped with solar panels, and diverse vegetation around the farm improves the microclimate, enhancing the landscape while serving as a natural biological barrier. While traditional household farms once left behind odor and pollution, by-products here have been transformed into valuable resources for renewal.

Mr. Dao Xuan Hoang, Sustainable Development Specialist at TH Group, shared, "What we strive for is not only the production of clean milk but also the building of a circular agricultural ecosystem. Every drop of milk is the crystallization of nutrition and the result of a green, environmentally friendly cycle."

TH's model is not an isolated case but reflects a broader trend in Vietnamese agriculture. The circular economy is gradually becoming a pillar, not only in livestock farming but also in crop production and aquaculture. Post-production waste is converted into fertilizer, energy, or new input materials, creating added value while reducing environmental pressure.

This is a strategic orientation of the agriculture and environment sector, aiming for a harmonious relationship between humans and nature, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting national resources, and aligning with international climate commitments.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien emphasized the livestock and veterinary industry will remain steadfast in pursuing ecological and organic farming, applying high technology, reducing emissions, ensuring food security, and guaranteeing food safety. Circular economy practices, value chain digitalization, and deep international cooperation will be its three main pillars.

The 80-year journey of Vietnam's livestock and veterinary industry has also been a continuous battle against diseases. H5N1 avian influenza, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and foot-and-mouth disease once threatened the entire industry but were swiftly brought under control. The veterinary network, from central to grassroots levels, has become increasingly robust, always ready to isolate outbreaks, contain diseases, and protect livestock herds. This serves as a foundation for building international partners' confidence, enabling Vietnam's livestock products to reach global markets.

This year's exhibition, therefore, is more than just a showcase. It is a symphony of past and present: from President Ho Chi Minh’s signed decrees to automated milking systems, from the village bamboo hedges to high-tech farm models. It is a continuous current, connecting 80 years of hardship and achievements, illustrating how animal husbandry and veterinary medicine have always accompanied each other, helping to boost the modernization of Vietnamese agriculture.