VIETNAM: Hoi An's Water Buffalo Tourism Industry

In Vietnam, water buffaloes are considered a symbol of hard work due to their indispensable role in traditional wet rice civilization.

Water buffalo were essential to the development of the country's agrarian economy. In a nation where rice is the main export buffalo is undoubtedly the most essential animal.

A buffalo can work for long periods, in variable weather conditions, pull plows in the rice fields and help carry heavy loads.

For the most part, they haven’t been replaced by machinery because machines will only be able to work in large fields and can’t work in small and narrow spaces with different topography.

Not to mention, buying modern machines takes lots of money which Vietnamese farmers can’t afford. 

 

Water Buffalo now have an additional role - as tourism ambassadors.

Farmers have side jobs acting as tour guides to earn extra money.

Many buffaloes in Hoi An City, located in the central province of Quang Nam, live a king’s life.

There, they do not have to plod through paddy fields pulling plows. 

Some farmers clean their buffalo with soap and perfume.

A buffalo's beauty is now their main job.

The prettier they are, the more money they earn. 

There are dozens of well-trained, good-looking buffaloes taking part in the tourism business. 

During the peak season, a buffalo can earn the equivalent of about US$22-30 per day. 

Not a bad job if you’re a buffalo in Vietnam.

PS: I haven't given any Cocktail Party Trivia for a while, so here are some little-known facts about water buffalo that you can pull out during your next lull in conversation around the bar:

The water buffalo has a dull gray coat, with hair that is short and stiff. In the wild, they are about seven feet tall on average, and weigh about 2,500 pounds (1,100 kilograms). However, domesticated ones are smaller in size.

 They have an upper jaw with no teeth

Buffalo skin can bring good luck

Even the way the water buffalo’s hair grows on the skin is significant to the Vietnamese. If it grows evenly, creating a symmetrical pattern on the buffalo, that means good luck and good health.

They can run at 30 miles per hour

Water buffaloes are fast when threatened with danger, and can have an average speed of 30 miles per hour. That is only a little slower than one of their major predators, the tiger.

They love water

Water buffaloes are herbivores and feed on grass, herbs, and other vegetation. Since they spend most of their time submerged in water (hence their namesake), aquatic plants make up most of their diet. Water also helps them keep cool. Although another way they regulate their body temperatures is by rolling in the mud.

Water Buffaloes helped build nations

Mankind learned early that water buffaloes are gentle and tame, and as such have been domesticating them for over 5,000 years. They are a great asset in plowing the fields and transporting people and crops. Because of this, the animals came to be known as ‘tractors of the East’. For poor farmers in Vietnam, water buffaloes are extremely valuable and respected — often treated as members of the family

Water buffalo milk makes authentic mozzarella cheese

Real mozzarella cheese is made from water buffalo milk

Water buffalo are endangered

Water buffaloes are an endangered species. There are less than 4,000 remaining in the wild. They can live up to nine years in the wild and 25 in captivity. Common causes of death are removal from or destruction of their natural habitat, excessive hunting (buffaloes are killed for their horns and hides), diseases and parasites transmitted by domestic livestock, and natural predators such as tigers, lions, and crocodiles.

They quack like ducks

The sounds made by water buffaloes resemble a quacking noise.

CHEERS!