The study characterized genetic diversity and genetic structure of five indigenous pig populations (Ha Lang, Muong Te, Mong Cai, Lung and Lung Pu), two wild pig populations (Vietnamese and Thai wild pigs) and an exotic pig breed (Yorkshire) using FAO/ISAG recommended 16 microsatellite markers in 236 samples. All estimated loci were very polymorphic indicated by high values of polymorphism information content (from 0.76 in S0225 to 0.92 in Sw2410). Indigenous populations had very high level of genetic diversity (mean He = 0.75); of all indigenous breeds, Lung Pu showed highest mean number of alleles (MNA = 10.1), gene diversity (He = 0.82), allele richness (5.33) and number of private alleles (10). Thirteen percentage of the total genetic variation observed was due to differences among populations. The neighbour-joining dendrogram obtained from Nei's standard genetic distance differentiated eight populations into four groups including Yorkshire, two wild populations, Mong Cai population and a group of four other indigenous populations. The Bayesian clustering with the admixture model implemented in Structure 2.1 indicated seven possible homogenous clusters among eight populations. From 79% (Ha Lang) to 98% (Mong Cai). individuals in indigenous pigs were assigned to their own populations. The results confirmed high level of genetic diversity and shed a new light on genetic structure of Vietnam indigenous pig populations.

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Vietnam is known for having a variety of unique livestock genetic resources. In the case of pig breeds, the northern part of Vietnam is considered to be one of its domestication sites (Larson et al., 2010; Ramos-Onsins, Burgos-Paz, Manunza, & Amills, 2014). According to previous reports (Dang-Nguyen et al., 2016), there are around 26 indigenous domesticated pig breeds held in Vietnam. Generally, native pigs have been adapted to the environment from which they are originated (Mignon-Grasteaua et al., 2005). Vietnam's climate varies from a temperate climate with four seasons, which are in the northern mountain region, to tropical monsoon with two seasons (rainy and dry) (Nguyen, Renwick, & McGregor, 2014). Therefore, Vietnamese native pig (VNP) breeds also would have unique genes for adopting their habitations and have a potential for the rich genetic resources as future breeding materials. However, several breeds of VNPs have been threatened with extinction or already extinct. One of the reasons is that productivity of the VNP breeds is less than those of Western commercial breeds, like Landrace or Large White, and so the big farmers do not have interest in rearing the VNP breeds, leading to extensive inbreeding due to limited population size. In addition, crossbreeding with exogenous commercial breeds has been quickly progressing in some

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