Local people in Bach Luu commune in northern Vinh Phuc Province have been earning good living by raising cobras.

Their profits over the last 10 years have helped many to escape poverty, and the trade is expanding to neighboring areas.

Photos from some snake farms in Bach Luu:

Tran Trong Thuan family's farm is among the largest in the commune, with more than 400 cobras. He earns hundred of millions of dong a year

Mr. Thuan holding an eight-month old cobra which weighs 4 kg

Ha Van Chu's family has also found success in raising snakes

Chu says that snakes can be raised individually or in groups of ten or more

Snakes shed their skin once a month and can grow quickly if fed and cared for properly

Snake skin is also be sold to make medicine

People here mainly feed snakes toads