According to ENV, the alarming situation of illegal turtle trade is reflected in the information recorded in ENV's Wildlife Violations Database. In 2025 alone, ENV recorded 776 violations related to the advertising and trade of approximately 23,420 terrestrial and freshwater turtles. ENV's data also indicates a shift in species within the trade, with an increasing proportion of invasive turtle species.
As part of a campaign to reduce the illegal trade in land and freshwater turtles, ENV conducted a survey of turtle-related violations on social media platforms and identified 212 accounts with 14,786 posts advertising the sale of approximately 50,000 turtles online.
Another survey of 1,132 people in Ho Chi Minh City showed that 9% of those interviewed had bought and released turtles. Worryingly, the majority believed this act brought good luck and contributed to wildlife conservation. Also in Ho Chi Minh City, in March 2026, volunteers assisted in surveying 278 temples and pagodas and found turtles released in ponds and lakes within the grounds of 16 temples and pagodas.
Ms. Bui Thi Ha, Deputy Director of ENV, shared: “Natural turtle populations in Vietnam face a threat to their survival due to the rapidly increasing demand for buying and selling turtles for release and as pets. Paying to buy turtles is contributing to a vicious cycle that is driving turtles to extinction in the wild, pushing many species to the brink of extinction and seriously impacting native ecosystems.”
To raise public awareness about threats to turtles, ENV released its 62nd media film, titled "Buying Turtles to Raise Crime." Through this short film, ENV exposes the reality that buying turtles, even if done with good intentions, only enriches criminals and directly threatens the survival of turtles in the wild.
In addition, ENV is also stepping up the broadcasting of messages protecting turtles on VOV Traffic Radio, the radio channel with the largest listener base during peak hours in Ho Chi Minh City. This effort by ENV aims to change the practice of releasing turtles, which is quite common in the city.
According to Douglas Hendrie, a turtle expert collaborating with ENV: “The changes in the number and composition of trafficked turtle species over the past 20 years show that the natural populations of most, if not all, terrestrial and freshwater turtle species in Vietnam and the region have been severely depleted. Some invasive species, such as the Indian star turtle, which was not seen in Vietnam 15 years ago, are now common. The red-eared turtle, one of the world’s most dangerous invasive species, is also being widely traded in Vietnam.”
Mr. Hendrie also noted that invasive species commonly found in pet shops and markets across the country for release, such as red-eared turtles or Chinese rock turtles, can easily establish natural populations in a short time when released into the environment. This requires authorities to take decisive action to completely end the illegal trade of these species from the outset.