This case study investigates the factors influencing milk production and marketing decisions among smallholder dairy farmers in Phu Dong Commune, a suburb of Hanoi, Vietnam. The research examines how various socio-economic and logistical factors, such as the age and education level of household heads, experience in dairy production, distance to the milk market, and the number of milking cows owned, significantly impact a household's participation in the milk market and their sale volume. It highlights the dominance of formal marketing channels, despite their underdeveloped and inefficient nature, and points to a weak dairy production service sector, including extension services, credit, and market information.

This study provides a detailed examination of smallholder dairy farming in a specific Vietnamese context. The analysis focuses on empirical data to understand the complex interplay of economic, social, and logistical factors affecting production and marketing. The findings suggest areas for improvement in service sectors crucial for dairy development. The research offers insights into market participation and sale volume determinants within a developing agricultural economy.