Hanoi slaughterhouse shuttered after 300-tonne diseased pork scandal

The Van Phuc slaughterhouse, operated by Thinh An Logistics Food JSC, is located in Nam Phu Commune on the outskirts of Hanoi near the Red River.

Tuoi Tre (Youth) reporters visiting the site on Thursday found the facility deserted, with disinfection measures underway.

Lime powder was scattered across floors, and veterinary staff were collecting samples for testing.

According to the facility’s management representative, operations were halted immediately after police on March 17 detected illegal slaughter activities linked to Nguyen Thi Hien, who allegedly used the site to process infected pigs before distributing the meat to the market.

Following the shutdown, workers cleaned the site, sprayed disinfectants, and applied lime powder to prevent further contamination.

Additional testing is ongoing, and the facility may resume operations if results confirm it is free from disease.

The slaughterhouse typically hosted around 20 tenants processing up to 1,000 pigs nightly between midnight and dawn.

The facility’s security guard said that veterinary officials, market surveillance teams, and police are usually present around the clock to monitor operations.

Earlier inspections by Hanoi police uncovered more than 7.5 metric tons of pigs infected with African swine fever at the site.

All contaminated livestock was destroyed in accordance with regulations.

The Nam Phu Commune administration told Tuoi Tre that it had ordered Thinh An Company to suspend all slaughtering activities, carry out comprehensive sanitation, and develop a disease prevention plan.

Authorities pledged stricter monitoring of slaughterhouses, transport, and sales of pork products, with severe penalties for violations.

This case has raised public alarm, especially since contaminated meat reached collective kitchens, including schools.

The Ministry of Health on Wednesday ordered surprise inspections of collective kitchens and food service establishments in Hanoi and neighboring Ninh Binh Province to prevent further risks.