Vietnam is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including an array of unique pig breeds found across the country. Here is a showcase of 12 distinctive pig varieties native to different regions of Vietnam.
1 Mong Cai Pig
The Mong Cai pig, originating from Mong Cai City in Quang Ninh Province, is prevalent in many northern, central, and Tay Nguyen provinces, making it the most populous indigenous breed.
Mong Cai Pig
This breed is divided into two types: large-boned and small-boned. The Mong Cai pig is characterized by its black head with a white triangular or lozenge-shaped mark on the forehead, and a white snout. Its back, haunches, and neck form a saddleback shape, while the rest of the body is white.
The Mong Cai pig is highly prolific, with litter sizes ranging from 10 to 16 piglets per farrowing.
2 Yi Pig
The Yi pig, native to Nam Dinh Province, is predominantly reared in northern Vietnam. However, due to its low economic value, this breed is at risk of extinction and is being conserved through purebred preservation programs.
The Yi pig has a slightly large head, with a protruding forehead when fat, a wrinkled face, and a dewlap that sags at around 5-6 months of age. Its eyes are narrow, and it has a broad, short snout with the lower lip usually longer than the upper one.
Fat Yi Pig
This breed has broad shoulders, a deep chest, a short body, and a swayed back that becomes less pronounced with fatness. It has a large belly that sags deeply, and its haunches develop from 2-3 months of age, with the rear slightly cupped. The legs are short and weak.
Yi pigs reach sexual maturity at 4-5 months old and farrow twice a year, producing 8-11 piglets per litter, occasionally reaching 16 piglets.
3 Man Pig
Also known as the “wild boar” or “black pig,” the Man pig is native to Hoa Binh Province and is mainly reared in districts like Kim Boi, Da Bac, Ky Son, Tan Lac, and Cao Phong.
Man Pig
The Man pig has a small stature, a small head, a long snout, a compact body, small ears that stand erect or slightly droop, and a straight or slightly swayed back.
Its coat is long and coarse, with 64% pure black and 36% black with white spots on the forehead, tail tip, and feet.
The Man pig farrows 1.3 times a year, with an average litter size of 5-6 piglets.
4 Soc Pig
The Soc pig, also known as the “Soc Highland” or “Ede” pig, is native to the ethnic groups of Ede, Gia Rai, and Bana in the Central Highlands provinces of Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum.
Soc Pig
This breed has a small build, a long and pointed snout, thick skin, a long and black coat, a prominent mane, and small, agile feet.
Soc pigs reach sexual maturity at 9-12 months old and farrow once or twice a year, with 6-10 piglets per litter.
5 Co Pig
The Co pig, native to central Vietnam, is found in provinces along the Truong Son mountain range, including Thua Thien Hue, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Quang Nam.
Co Pig
It has black or black-and-white hair, a long and dense coat, a long snout, small bones, weak legs, a sagging belly, and thin skin.
Co pigs farrow 1.2-1.5 times a year, with 5-6 piglets per litter.
6 Lung Pu Black Pig
The Lung Pu Black pig is native to Meo Vac district in Ha Giang province. It has black hair and skin, with white spots on the forehead, legs, and tail tip. Its coat is short and dense, and its ears are small and slightly drooping. The snout is of medium length.
Lung Pu Black Pig
A distinctive feature is the white whorl of hair on the forehead that spirals upward to the crown. Lung Pu Black pigs farrow 1.5-1.6 times a year, with 8-10 piglets per litter.
7 Van Pa Pig
The Van Pa pig is an ancient breed native to the Van Kieu Pa Co ethnic group in the mountainous districts of Huong Hoa and Dakrong in Quang Tri Province.
Van Pa Pig
This breed resembles a mouse in shape, with black-and-silver hair and occasional hints of yellowish-red. It has a straight back, a compact body, a large head and neck, a pointed snout, and small ears. Adults typically weigh between 35 and 40 kg.
The Van Pa pig has low reproductive performance, with first farrowing at 7-8 months old and 1.5 litters per year.
8 Khua Pig
The Khua pig, native to Quang Binh Province, is mainly found along the Truong Son mountain range in Quang Binh.
Khua Pig
The Khua pig can have black hair all over its body, black skin with white spots on the legs, or black skin with white patches on the body. It is known for its long and strong snout, erect ears, straight back, and non-sagging belly.
The Khua pig has low reproductive performance, with 5-7 piglets per litter.
9 Muong Khuong Pig
The Muong Khuong pig is native to Muong Khuong district in Lao Cai province and is also reared in the northern midlands.
Muong Khuong Pig
It has black hair and skin, with white spots on the head, tail, and legs, and sparse, soft hair. Most have long, straight snouts, wrinkled foreheads, large ears that droop slightly forward, and strong, straight backs.
Muong Khuong pigs reach sexual maturity at 5-7 months old, farrowing 1.2-1.3 times a year with 5-6 piglets per litter.
10 Meo Pig
The Meo pig, or “cat pig,” is native to the Hmong ethnic group living in the highland regions of the Truong Son mountain range. It is mainly reared by the Hmong people in Ky Son and Quy Chau districts of Nghe An province.
Meo Pig
The Meo pig has a large, well-proportioned body, with black or gray hair, thick skin, long and coarse hair, a large head, a slightly broken face, a prominent forehead, a slightly long snout, and medium-sized ears that tilt forward.
It has broad shoulders, a long and wide back that may curve upward, a wide and flat rump that is higher than the shoulders, a large and long belly that does not sag, and high, straight legs that bear weight on the front two toes.
Meo pigs reach sexual maturity at 4-5 months old, farrowing 4-6 piglets per litter.
11 Tap Na Pig
The Tap Na pig is native to Thong Nong district in Cao Bang province and is also reared in neighboring districts like Bao Lac, Hoa An, and Bao Lam, as well as adjacent provinces.
This breed has distinctive black hair and skin, with six white spots: one on the forehead, four on the legs, and one on the tail tip.
Tap Na Pig
Notably, the Tap Na pig’s belly is entirely black, lacking the white saddleback marking found in the Mong Cai pig. It has a fairly straight face, a moderately sized head, slightly drooping ears, a large but non-sagging belly, and high, sturdy legs.
The Tap Na pig has low reproductive performance, farrowing twice a year in good conditions, with 7-8 piglets per litter.
12 Wild Boar
The wild boar is found in most mountainous and midland provinces in Vietnam.
Its coat color varies across the body and changes with age, with piglets having a distinct color pattern from adults.
Wild Boar
Piglets: Their bodies are a mix of deep yellow, black, silver, and reddish-brown, resembling fallen leaves.
Adults: They have silver hair on both cheeks, a whitish belly, and the rest of the body is reddish-brown or black-brown. The hair is erect, bristly, and coarse.
Wild boars have a compact body, short legs, a slim belly, a long head, a slender and tapered snout, small, thin, erect ears pointing forward, and well-developed tusks.
