Viet Nam hosts the world's largest swine health and production conference

The 28th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress (IPVS 2026) officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together the global scientific community and swine industry leaders.

On the afternoon of June 16, the 28th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress (IPVS 2026) officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City, gathering nearly 4,000 delegates, including scientists, veterinarians, business representatives and policymakers from countries and territories around the world. The event marks the first time Viet Nam has hosted this prestigious international scientific congress in swine production and veterinary medicine in the more than 56-year history of the organization.

The congress is taking place from June 16-19 at the Thiskyhall Sala Convention Center and is hosted by the Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City.

Under the theme “Caring for Pigs for a Healthy and Sustainable Global Environment,” IPVS 2026 aims to identify scientific and technological solutions to increasingly complex challenges facing the global livestock sector, including emerging diseases, antimicrobial resistance, climate change and food security.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tat Toan, Rector of Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City and Chairman of the IPVS 2026 Organizing Committee, said Viet Nam’s selection as host country represents an important milestone and reflects the international scientific community’s recognition of the progress made by the country's livestock and veterinary sectors over the years.

According to Dr. Toan, the global livestock industry is facing unprecedented challenges, ranging from transboundary animal diseases to pressures to reduce emissions and achieve sustainable development. No country can tackle these issues alone. International cooperation, knowledge sharing and scientific research are therefore essential to building a modern, safe and resilient livestock sector.

IPVS 2026 is the largest scientific event ever held in Viet Nam in the field of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. This year’s congress received nearly 1,000 scientific submissions from researchers worldwide, including 22 keynote papers, 124 oral presentations and around 880 poster presentations, showcasing the latest scientific advances in the sector.

During the congress, experts will discuss 12 specialized scientific themes covering epidemiology, vaccines, immunology, biosecurity, nutrition, herd management, animal welfare, modern production technologies and solutions to reduce the environmental impacts of livestock production.

On the opening day, delegates attended the first plenary session, featuring scientific presentations by Professor Derald Holtkamp of Iowa State University (United States) and Professor Sanipa Suradhat of Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), focusing on disease management, immunity and biosecurity in pig production.

Viet Nam is currently one of the world’s leading pork-producing countries, with the fifth-largest pig population globally. In recent years, the domestic swine industry has undergone significant modernization through the adoption of advanced technologies and strengthened biosecurity measures.

“Hosting IPVS 2026 is not only an opportunity to showcase the achievements of Viet Nam’s livestock sector, but also to access the latest scientific advances, promote research collaboration, facilitate technology transfer and develop high-quality human resources,” Dr. Toan emphasized.

Alongside the scientific program, IPVS 2026 features a specialized trade exhibition with 41 booths from leading companies in vaccines, veterinary medicines, animal feed, breeding stock and modern farming equipment. The exhibition serves as an important platform connecting researchers, businesses and policymakers while promoting the practical application of science and technology in livestock production.

Experts noted that Viet Nam’s first-time role as host of the IPVS Congress not only demonstrates the country's academic standing and ability to organize large-scale international scientific events, but also helps elevate the position of Viet Nam’s livestock sector on the global scientific map.

The congress also provides an opportunity to promote the image of Viet Nam and its people to the international scientific and business communities, while supporting the long-term goal of building a modern, efficient and sustainable livestock industry.

Le Binh