This is according to research conducted by Dr. Dao Truong from the research unit TREES (Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society) at the North-West University's Potchefstroom Campus in South Africa.

Vietnam is the world's largest consumer of illicit rhino horn products and it is in this Southeast Asian country that South Africa must focus its resources to stem the flow of rhino horn trade and counter rhino poaching‚ the university says.

The Vietnamese born‚ Canterbury University educated academic chose Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as his study sites as they are the two biggest rhino horn import destinations in Vietnam.

A previous study showed that women in their mid-50s were the main buyers of rhino horn whilst the end-users were primarily well-educated and successful men aged over 40.

Truong focused on male respondents with a monthly income of 30 million Vietnamese Dong. This equates to about R14‚402 or US$1‚400. He found that 47.2% indicated that they have consumed rhino horn.

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