People voted with their feet and stayed away from this year’s Nem Thuong pig festival following government pressure to end it.

Animals Asia investigators estimate that numbers dropped by around a third this year as government demanded an end to the cruelty while local authorities were keen to ensure it remained as part of the festival.

The pressure has meant no more public slaughtering of the pigs that were previously chopped up after being paraded around the village.

However the pigs are still killed, albeit privately and in a manner in which organisers say is in line with local slaughter practice. In addition, onlookers were not able to dip money in the blood for good luck as had been the case up to 2016.

Years of campaigning by Animals Asia alongside public outcry, high profile media attention and the ire of politicians prompted significant changes at this year’s event.

There were many more cruelty-free activities such as traditional singing, sporting events, cooking competitions and children’s games. It’s hoped that this will continue a move away from animal cruelty, which could one day mean a festival without animals being sacrificed.

Animals Asia’s Animal Welfare Officer Thanh Nguyen said:

“This year’s event shows the organisers are listening to criticism from both the public and the authorities, and are taking steps to change.

“While the authorities will likely be satisfied with the new format, we will continue to push for more. We won’t be satisfied until no live animals experience fear and trauma as part of Nem Thuong’s New Year festivities.

“The next task will be to work with the organisers and the local Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism to convince them parading pigs round the village also causes undue stress and suffering for the animals. There are numerous ways the tradition of parade can continue without cruelty.

“We believe that the village can continue to honour its heritage and traditions while also moving in step with Vietnam’s progression toward a modern country where animals are treated humanely.”

Animals Asia’s campaign to end animal cruelty at the Nem Thuong New Year festival began in 2014, when tens of thousands of supporters signed a petition against the bloodshed.

The petition caused a sensation in Vietnam with every major media outlet picking up the story prompting public debate about the use of animals in festivals.

One online poll showed 79 percent believed the slaughter should not be allowed while the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism moved to ban all “out-dated” and “uncivilised” festivals in February 2015 with the regulation coming into effect in 2016.

Since then, four so-called “buffalo stabbing” and three buffalo fighting festivals have been halted.

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