He affirmed that from now on, Vietnam will not allow the import of Japanese beef.

The main reason is Japan and Vietnam haven’t signed any veterinary agreement on beef trading, a prerequisite for veterinary permits and import licences.

In addition, the department has not received any request from domestic companies regarding the import of Japanese beef and cannot know if consumer demand is high and Kobe beef meets the hygiene standards. “So we will quickly boost the process to secure the veterinary agreement between both countries and start importing this product,” Nam said.

Deputy Director of Hanoi’s Department of Industry and Trade’s Market Watch Nguyen Dac Loc announced on December 26 that any animal product unaccompanied by veterinary permits should be destroyed under current regulations.

“Anyone who claims to sell Kobe beef will have their products destroyed because it has not yet been granted a veterinary permit,” he said.

Kobe beef, one of the most expensive meats in the culinary world, is said to have appeared in some fine dining restaurants in Hanoi and HCM City for more than a year. The price of one kilogram of Kobe beef may be up to VND4 million (US$200).