The pangolins were discovered in Hanoi on Wednesday but it was not clear where they were being taken to, a police officer said.

"We have handed the pangolins to the forest department and are investigating about the destination of the animals," he said.

Pangolins are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and there is a blanket ban on all trade in them.

Their meat is much sought after in Vietnam and China.

Vietnam has a poor conservation record, with endangered species favoured for their status value regularly appearing on dining tables in the capital.