As a top site for snake breeding, the commune provides products such as snake meat, snake breeders, and snake glue. However, the main source of revenue is from snake egg sales.

Ha Van Hung, deputy chair of Vinh Son, said there are 650 snake breeding households in the commune, and the total number of snakes is 228,200.

Every year, the households earn about VND85 billion from selling commercial snakes and snake eggs, with their real income at VND75 billion after deducting expenses.

The business in the first six months of the year saw high demand and high prices.

Nguyen Thi Hoa, a snake raiser in Hamlet 4, is well known for raising cobras for reproduction. She has three farming areas in her home, where 3,000 snakes are bred.

Hoa said cobras are easy to raise and are fed once every five days. However, to raise thousands of cobras, she must pay close attention to see if any of the snakes become sick.

At her farm, each snake lives in a small 30x60cm box. “You need to be quick when feeding them, because they may get out of the box at any time,” Hoa said.

Hoa keeps a ratio of one male snake to two females. When mature, male snakes will be used for breeding. Every 2-4 years, the males are replaced.

For female snakes, some can reproduce up to 10 years or more. Each breeding snake weighs 2-3 kilograms and can give 50 eggs each time.

All parts of the snake bring profits. Snake meat prices at times can reach VND700,000 per kilogram, while breeders are sold for VND300,000 per kilogram.

However, the occupation of breeding snakes can be dangerous. Vinh Son People’s Committee said there have been 18 snakebite cases so far this year.  Many people have lost their fingers or toes when feeding snakes. Hoa lost her little finger 10 years ago.

Farmed snakes are believed to have more venom than snakes in the wild. In recent years, villagers have gained more experience in treating snakebites. 

China is the major market for the snakes. 

Nhi Tien