Khanh Hoa Province Aims to Balance Swiftlet Conservation with Sustainable Development of 'Yen Sao' Brand

Khanh Hoa Province in central Vietnam is aiming to strike a balance between the sustainable development of its premium 'Yen Sao' (swiftlet nest) brand, a vital pillar of the local economy, and the protection of the swiftlet habitats that are its source. The province is renowned as Asia's largest habitat for swiftlets, with its rich natural environment nurturing these valuable resources. A symposium titled 'Swiftlet Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Khanh Hoa Yen Sao Brand' was held in Nha Trang on July 15, bringing together government officials, experts, scientists, and industry stakeholders to discuss current conditions and challenges. Blessed with coastal islands, abundant natural caves, and a distinctive marine ecosystem, Khanh Hoa offers highly favorable conditions for swiftlet habitation and breeding. The province currently boasts 33 swiftlet islands and 173 natural caves, forming the largest swiftlet population center in Asia. Mr. Trinh Minh Hoang, Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, emphasized that Yen Sao is not only a precious natural product of the province but also a unique and valuable resource of Vietnam. The Yen Sao industry significantly contributes to provincial economic growth, creates jobs, enhances residents' incomes, and promotes scientific research, tourism development, and the image of Khanh Hoa. To safeguard this valuable resource, the province will continue to direct relevant departments and local authorities to implement comprehensive management and protection measures for the swiftlet population. This includes identifying, preventing, and strictly punishing illegal swiftlet poaching activities. Efforts will also focus on enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of state management over swiftlet farming operations. The symposium was held against the backdrop of increasingly complex illegal activities such as poaching, trapping, netting, smuggling, and consuming swiftlets within the province. According to the Khanh Hoa Swiftlet Co., Ltd., from January 2025 to July 6, 2026, patrol forces detected 346 cases of illegal swiftlet trapping and netting, seizing 762 nets totaling over 38.1 kilometers in length. Notably, the number of violations has significantly increased from late 2025 into the early months of 2026. This situation indicates a trend where illegal swiftlet harvesting is shifting from spontaneous acts to organized operations. Consequently, there is a growing risk of forming illegal swiftlet exploitation and consumption networks, posing a serious threat to the natural swiftlet population and the sustainable development of the Khanh Hoa Yen Sao brand.