Vietnam to develop Hmong beef brand to compete with South Korea's Hanwoo, Japan's Wagyu

Vietnam aims to create a Hmong beef brand to rival South Korea's Hanwoo and Japan's Wagyu, according to a recent assessment by international experts. Pham Kim Dang, deputy director general of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's livestock production department, shared his insights during a press briefing.

The Hmong cattle breed, prevalent in Vietnam's northern mountainous regions, exhibits significant potential for producing premium meat, Dang explained. Through testing various livestock technologies, Vietnam has achieved promising results with Hmong cattle. The country is developing strategic technologies, including breed selection and development focused on meat production, with the goal of attaining high-quality beef.

A crucial aspect of this plan involves establishing a system for evaluating and ranking beef quality, drawing inspiration from established systems in South Korea and Japan. Vietnam has long recognized the delicious nature of its livestock products, but lacks specific criteria to quantify quality levels, Dang admitted.

Achieving these goals demands substantial resources, including personnel, equipment, and research, as well as collaboration from research institutes, universities, and specialized organizations. Authorities are set to assign research institutions to work alongside the development of guidelines that will facilitate the implementation of these technologies in farming areas.

Hmong cattle, reared in numerous northern mountainous provinces, are renowned for their excellent adaptability. Currently, some Hmong beef products command prices of around VND1.2 million (US$46) per kilogram on the market, with certain restaurant chains in Hanoi already offering this meat. Enhancing the breed's value will necessitate a transition from production based on experience to a more controlled system, utilizing technology to manage breeding, nutrition, and the raising process.

In addition to Hmong beef, Vietnam's livestock industry is exploring the potential of other high-value animal species. While the nation imports deer and deer products from overseas for dietary supplement processing, the Huong Son area in central Ha Tinh province has a rich history of deer farming for velvet production. Authorities are currently focusing on developing breeding technologies and a national brand for this product.