stork island vietnam-image

Visitors to an island in the northerly state of Hai Duong in early winter will be impressed with thousands of storks and herons on top of bamboo and other trees.

They appear similar white flushes from a far distance. The Stork Island is set in the center of An Duong Lake in Chi Lang Nam Commune, Thanh Mien District, among the most magnetic eco-tourism resorts in the north. The island was formed in early 15th century after the dyke of the Red River collapsed because of huge flood. Gradually, it became refuge for storks and herons from all over the country. At present, there are about 15,000 storks from seven species and 5,000 herons of three species on the island. Thousands of storks and herons glide to the island in September when it the north-east wind blows. They much stay there till April of the following year. Storks and herons flocks out of and into the lake in early morning and late afternoon, making a fascinating scene.

In 1996, the Vietnam office of the UN Development Programme proposed turning Dao Co into an environmental education centre in a two-year, a project which would see planting of bamboo trees and introducing teaching programmes to raise awareness of environmental protection. There are plans to make Dao Co part of an eco-trail starting from Hanoi, winding through Hien Street to Stork Island and on to Con Son, Kiep Bac and Haiphong, and back to the capital.

The island was hospitable visitors ten years ago. Many investment projects to develop the island as an attractive resort are underway.