On October 11, the Ministry of Information and Communications issued a set of postage stamps 'Dogs', with the aim of introducing biodiversity in Vietnam and contributing to raising public awareness in preserving valuable native dog breeds.

Comprising 4 borderless square stamps measuring 37 x 37 mm, with face values ​​of 4,000 VND and 15,000 VND respectively, the 'Dog' stamp set introduces 4 native Vietnamese dog breeds with beauty and many good qualities, considered 'national dogs'. The common points of these dog breeds are agility, bravery, intelligence and loyalty.

theme stamp set 02.jpg
The design of the 'Dog' postage stamp set introduces four native dog breeds of Vietnam. Photo: Postage Stamp Department.

Sharing with VietNamNet reporter, artist Nguyen Du of Vietnam Post Corporation - Vietnam Post, the artist who drew the stamp set 'Dog' said: Information and images used to design this stamp set were provided by the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center, with permission for use.

Bac Ha, Song Ma, H'Mong bobtail and Phu Quoc dogs are four native Vietnamese dog breeds chosen to be featured on a new thematic stamp set introduced to a wide range of stamp lovers at home and abroad.

In particular, Bac Ha dogs were previously mainly used by the H'Mong people in northern Vietnam as hunting dogs and guard dogs, especially in Bac Ha and Si Ma Cai districts of Lao Cai province.

Song Ma Dog (also known as Lai Song Ma Dog) is an ancient Vietnamese hunting dog breed of pure Vietnamese origin; this breed lives in the highlands in a few narrow areas in Lam Son land, west of Thanh Hoa along the upper Ma River and some villages in the northern border areas.

Hmong Bobtail dogs are mainly distributed in the northern mountainous provinces, including Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien; they often live in places with complex, uneven terrain such as hills and mountains.

Phu Quoc dogs are mainly distributed in Phu Quoc island (Kien Giang province); they live in the sea, with foot structure suitable for moving on sand, plains and have the ability to dig burrows and are raised by humans to serve as housekeepers and fish hunters.

theme stamp set for 1 1.jpg
The 'Dog' stamp set is available on the postal network from October 11, 2024 to June 30, 2026.

In addition to focusing on depicting the unique characteristics of each dog breed, the designer of the 'Dog' stamp set also chose background images for each stamp associated with the locations where the dog breed was discovered, namely Bac Ha market (Lao Cai); Ma river scene (Thanh Hoa); Doi mountain (Quan Ba, Ha Giang) and Phu Quoc beach scene (Kien Giang).

The 'Dog' postage stamp set is available on the postal network from October 11, 2024 to June 30, 2026. Currently, on the website of the Vietnam Stamp Company under Vietnam Post, stamp lovers can order the 'Dog' postage stamp set and accompanying publications such as giant postcards, first-issue envelopes, toothless live stamps, toothed live stamps, specimen stamps, etc.

theme stamp set for 3 1.jpg
theme stamp set for 4 1.jpg
The maximum postcard and first issue envelope of the new postage stamp set issued on October 11.

According to stamp collectors, this is one of the most beautiful thematic stamp sets. Sharing with VietNamNet, collector Hoang Anh Thi, Chairman of the Viet Stamp Club, commented: “The dog stamp set is designed with a gentle background color that highlights the images depicting the dogs in dark tones. The four dogs are shown in very lively and intelligent poses, and especially show off the characteristics of each native dog breed. For example, the Phu Quoc dog has a clear back swirl on its back. In addition, the designer's choice of showing square stamps also creates a concise impression in the eyes of the viewer."

The 'Dog' stamp set is the 12th postage stamp set issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications this year, after 6 commemorative stamp sets and 5 thematic stamp sets that were previously issued, including: Love stamps; Commemorating the 1,100th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang; Hanoi's 12 flower seasons (set 1); Commemorating the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory; Tea trees; Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the completion of Vinh Te canal; The Hundred-joint Bamboo Fairy Tale; National treasures (set 3): Pottery; ASEAN stamps; Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (1874 - 2024); Welcoming the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024).
The Ministry of Information and Communications has just issued a set of postage stamps to promote Vietnamese tea trees. Designed using graphic methods, the two stamps depict the process of formation and growth from seeds, trees, flowers, fruits... and the production of tea in everyday life.