Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) continues to pose one of the most serious threats to biodiversity, security, and sustainable development. This activity not only drives many wildlife species toward extinction, but is also closely linked to other forms of crime, including money laundering, corruption, cybercrime, and transnational organized crime. At the same time, illegal wildlife trade increases the risk of disease transmission and negatively affects community livelihoods as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

The growing demand for wildlife and wildlife products in Asia, together with the expansion of e-commerce, digital technologies, and cross-border payment systems, has made illegal wildlife trade increasingly sophisticated and difficult to control. Vietnam serves both as a consumer market and as a major transit hub in international wildlife trafficking routes.

WCS Vietnam focuses on advancing comprehensive prevention and enforcement solutions to combat wildlife crime through supporting the improvement of policies and legislation; strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies, judicial authorities, and non-state actors; enhancing interagency and international cooperation; and promoting approaches based on financial risk, technology, and One Health. These efforts aim to support the effective detection, investigation, and prosecution of wildlife-related violations and crimes, while contributing to the recovery of priority species in their natural habitats.

Key areas of work of WCS Viet Nam included:

1. Supporting the development and improvement of the policy and legal framework on wildlife protection
2. Research and generating scientific evidence to support efforts to prevent and combat illegal wildlife trade
3. Promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation to tackle transnational wildlife criminal networks
4. Building capacity for law enforcement agencies in counter wildlife trafficking
5. Strengthening collaboration with like-minded partners to combat illegal wildlife trade
6. Wildlife disease surveillance, zoonotic risks and pendemic prevention
7. Conserving Hoan Kiem Turtle in Viet Nam