VietNamNet Bridge - Located in Hai Duong province’s Thanh Mien district, about 70 km southeast of Hanoi, the Stork Island is home to over tens of thousands of white storks and night herons.

The stork family here is quite various, including plenty of species: white stork, fiery stork, cattle egret, grey stork, and so on. Thousands of herons and rare and valuable birds can be found here such as pelicans or teals residing together.

There are many interesting legends about the stork island. In the past, this area sank and the island was formed in the 15th century after the dyke of the Red River collapsed because of a big flood. Gradually, it became the home of different varieties of storks, herons and birds.

Every year, in September of the lunar calendar when the north-east wind blows, thousands of storks, herons and birds from other places fly to the island. They often stay there until April of the following year. The island becomes a destination of tourists and an environmental education centre is there to help raise awareness about environmental protection.

The best time to visit the Stork Island is at sunrise or sunset. At these times, visitors will have a chance to behold a beautiful painting with white storks and herons flocking out of and into the lake. Tourists will enjoy a spacious and greenish space with the peaceful landscape of a rural area. It is wonderful to mingle with nature and be away from our busy lives.

The entrance ticket is VND20,000 (US$0.9) per person while the cost to rent a boat is VND100,000 (US$4.6).

This is truly the kingdom of the white stork. Hundreds gather and there is no sense of panic when boats approach.

Tourists come here to capture pictures of storks and many are willing to wait for hours to get a perfect shot.

At around six in the afternoon when the sun sets, storks come back in large flocks, which create a spectacular view.

If tourists are interested, they can visit An Duong temple, which lies right on the bank of An Duong lake. The temple is a place to worship the village’s god; the locals usually come here on the first and the 15th day of the lunar month to wish for health and luck.

Photo: VNE