Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has prohibited the import, export and trade of white rhinos, black rhinos and African elephants in Vietnam.

The three wild specimens are noted as being endangered in the Convention on international Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

From now, the animals and any products made from them may only be imported for legitimate purposes such as scientific research and the preservation of biological diversity.

The decision regulates that violations will be treated in line with current rules.-VNA