Ninh Thuan: The land of sheep in central Vietnam
Ninh Thuan Province has a hot climate almost throughout the year, with a short wet season between September and November.
The heat, however, is not totally a curse, considering that it has helped the province gain a nationwide reputation as the "holy land" of sheep.
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| The first sheep in Ninh Thuan were brought in by French people more than 100 years ago. Since then the animal's population has reportedly increased to around 100,000, mostly in the districts of Ninh Phuoc, Bac Ai and Thuan Bac. |
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| At around 8 a.m. every day, locals herd the animals to grazing fields or hills where they would feed on wild grass. The outdoor activity usually ends at around 4-5 p.m. |
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| Hired shepherds live with their families at sheep farms, often located in distant areas. It is not unusual to see a group of three to four children sharing the herding job. |
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| Each family owns tens to up to 200 sheep, and marks their animals with different colors. |
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| Due to the hot weather, Ninh Thuan sheep are raised for meat and breeding only. Their layer of wool is sadly thin and obviously does not receive great care. |
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| A sheep here weighs 35-40 kilograms when it is about nine months old. Each ewe can give birth to three lambs. |