‘Ensures financial independence’: Vietnam bride gets unusual dowry; gift includes 100 civet cats

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A 22-year-old Vietnamese bride received a bizarre dowry featuring 100 civet cats and substantial wealth in various forms, with her father claiming it will ensure her financial independence.The wedding, which took place last May in southwestern Vietnam but recently reported by the South China Morning Post, saw the bride receive breeding-capable female civet cats valued at 1.8 billion Vietnamese dong (US$70,000).Her parents’ endowment also encompassed 25 taels of gold, 500 million dong (US$20,000) in cash, corporate shares worth 300 million dong, seven properties and additional valuable items.The groom’s family reciprocated by gifting the bride price of 10 taels of gold, 200 million dong in cash and diamond ornaments.In many Asian societies, dowries continue to serve as a significant custom, claiming to be a representation of familial prosperity and parental support for their daughter’s future.Hong Chi Tam, the bride’s father, explained that his children manage the family enterprise after their university education. He aimed to provide his daughter with income-generating assets.He expressed support for his daughter’s autonomy in deciding whether to maintain or sell the civet cats. “My daughter is a business school graduate. She is fully capable of managing these assets. No matter the method, it ensures her financial independence,” Hong said.In Vietnam, civet cats represent a significant investment opportunity. A female civet that has reproduced can sell for approximately 18 million dong (US$700), whilst expecting females command up to 27 million dong.These animals are particularly valuable for their contribution to Kopi Luwak coffee production, amongst the world’s costliest coffee varieties. The process involves the civets consuming coffee cherries, with the beans later collected from their droppings, sanitised, processed and roasted.Civet meat is considered a delicacy in China and Vietnam, with additional uses in traditional Chinese medicine.World Animal Protection International reports that civets are frequently captured from their natural habitat using harmful traps. They are subsequently sold to farms where poor conditions and stress lead to self-harm and premature death.