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Service (to be performed):
To execute surveys with the producers, sellers, and relevant regulatory authorities responsible for the circulation of health products containing Xuyen Son Giap, in Ha Noi and HCM City
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Location of Service provided: Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city
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Duration of Service’s performance: April – May 2026
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WCS’s person in charge (PIC): Nguyen Viet Anh, Program Officer
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I. Background:
The use of pangolins, including any derivatives such as pangolin scales (Xuyen Son Giap), is completely prohibited in Viet Nam. Nonetheless, the production, distribution, and sale of products containing pangolin scales remains widespread, with items primarily sold and used for health-related purposes.
WCS’s initial research, in 2024, has identified an emerging market in health products labeled as containing Xuyen Son Giap - a term referring to processed pangolin scales that have been dried and roasted. This terminology is not widely recognized outside of traditional medicine circles, meaning many Vietnamese consumers may unknowingly purchase products containing pangolin scale ingredients.
A review of major e-commerce platforms revealed 13 different products containing Xuyen Son Giap (an increase of 8 compared to 2024). These products are typically marketed in powder or capsule forms and fall into three broad categories:
- Women’s health support (e.g., reproductive health, postpartum recovery)
- Treatment of fever, detoxification, and liver cooling, often advertised as remedies for skin diseases, allergies, and inflammation.
- General nourishment and vitality enhancement
While many of the advertised products appear to be imported from China and Malaysia and are labeled in multiple languages (including Vietnamese), others are manufactured in Viet Nam. Some of the products are claimed to be registered with the Department of Food Safety, Ministry of Health of Viet Nam.
To gain a deeper understanding of the market and supply chains of these products, as well as the awareness of stakeholders involved in the supply chain, through:
- Assess the producers’ and shop owners’ risk perception of having these health products labeled as containing Xuyen Son Giap/containing pangolin scale; The motivations behind product development (producers).
- To explore the manufacturing, production, importation, and release of these health products labeled as containing Xuyen Son Giap.
- Determine whether Asian or African pangolin scales are used and/or preferred, and the source of pangolin scales for producing the products.
WCS is seeking a team of consultants to support the implementation of surveys with relevant actors in the supply chain of health products containing Xuyen Son Giap and stakeholder groups. The survey findings will be used to inform the development of strategic interventions aimed at reducing demand, strengthening law enforcement, and promoting safe and sustainable alternatives in the production and trade of health-related products
II. Objectives:
The consultant will work with WCS to design and implement surveys with the producers and sellers of health products containing Xuyen Son Giap, as well as relevant regulatory authorities in Ha Noi and HCMC, to better understand the factors influencing producers and sellers to manufacture and sell health products labeled as containing Xuyen Son Giap.
III. Description of work:
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Activities
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Outputs/deliverables
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Completed by
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Allotted time
(# of days)
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Payment schedule
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Activity 1:
- Develop a research outline and tool
- Develop an outline of the research report and revise based on WCS’s comments.
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- Research outline (might employ a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative techniques)
- The IDI questionnaire and FGD guide, online survey tool (if applicable) are developed and finalized in Vietnamese, tailored to each method and target group (producers, shop owners, relevant regulatory authorities responsible for drug regulation and food safety).
- Draft outline of the research report
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April 2026
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Determined based on the service provider’s proposal and approved by WCS
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First payment after signing the contract and completing Activity 1&2, all deliverables submitted and approved by WCS
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Activity 2:
Provide support to WCS in the development and revision of research ethics application dossiers for approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of WCS and the Hanoi University of Public Health (HPHU)
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- Revisions to the research ethics application dossier, incorporating comments from the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) of WCS and the Hanoi University of Public Health (HPHU), are completed and submitted.
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April 2026
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Determined based on the service provider’s proposal and approved by WCS
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Activity 3:
Conduct surveys in accordance with the approved research plan, methodology, and tools, including field data collection in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City
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- A summary of survey findings is prepared upon completion of the survey (in Vietnamese)
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May 2026
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Determined based on the service provider’s proposal and approved by WCS
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Second payment after completing Activity 3, all deliverables submitted and approved by WCS
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Activity 4:
Data analysis and development of the research report
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- A finalized research report (in Vietnamese)
- Raw data collected.
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May 2026
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Determined based on the service provider’s proposal and approved by WCS
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Final payment after completing Activity 4, all deliverables submitted and approved by WCS
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Total allotted time (total working days): Determined based on service provider proposal and approved by WCS
IV. Requirements (selection criteria):
- At least a Master degree with related backgrounds
- More than 5 years of experience in market research and/or in social science research into human behavior and attitude
- Proven record of experience working with both health products/medicine manufacturers and sellers in general, specifically traditional products
- Good communication skills
V. Application procedure:
Interested candidate(s) should submit their applications to vietnamconsulting@wcs.org by 17:00 on April 13, 2026. The application should include:
Technical proposal (in WORD format) including the operational profiles, detailed methods to achieve the required output/deliverables, personnel plan, CVs, links to or soft copies of related products, and proposed daily rates (inclusive taxes and fees).
Note:
- Interested candidate(s) are encouraged to send an email to vietnamconsulting@wcs.org for the suggested technical proposal template.
- Only shortlisted candidate(s) will be contacted