Birds in the sky still find their way… to the market
Looking down from the North-South Expressway, across the Dien Chau toll station, you will see shimmering white birds and storks on the ponds and green fields. It seems like a peaceful countryside scene with migratory birds coming to take shelter, but no…
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Looking down from the North-South Expressway, across the Dien Chau Toll Station, you will see the shimmering white shadows of birds and storks on ponds, lakes, and green fields. It seems like a peaceful countryside scene with migratory birds coming to take shelter, but no…
Nhat Lan - Dao Tuan - Vo Hai• November 3, 2025
On October 25, 2025, traveling on the North-South Expressway through Dien Chau Toll Station, observing the residential areas on both sides for a length of more than 1 km, I suddenly discovered 8-9 ponds, lakes, and fields with flocks of storks gathering. The number of storks at these places was so great that it stood out, the white color overwhelming the green carpet of trees and grass.
Imagining the peaceful countryside welcoming flocks of migrating birds, we returned to this area on October 27. Following the feeder road running parallel to the North-South highway, flocks of storks gathered, covering ponds, lakes, and fields. But when we got there, oh my, those were flocks of fake storks, bait to lure wild birds into nets and plastic traps. These decoy storks were especially numerous in the vicinity of Hamlet 1, the old Dien Tho commune (now Tan Chau commune). Here, decoy storks were planted everywhere on the surface of ponds and lakes with many large bushes. In some lakes, hundreds of fake storks, herons, pelicans... were planted.
Following the narrow paths in the residential area to the lakes, here you can see the decoy flocks made of a smooth, sturdy foam, with many shapes standing, perching, and meticulously painted on the head and beak, quite vividly. The lower part of the decoy body is firmly attached to a long stick, planted about 40cm above the water surface, or tied to the bushes surrounding the lake. Also on the surface of the lake, next to each decoy, there are green stakes. Above, surrounding the decoy flock and the bushes, about 1.5m above the water surface, are layers upon layers of nets, a type of transparent, small fiber that you have to pay close attention to see.
Down in the fields, the scene is similar. The decoys are placed in places with deep water and lots of grass. They are surrounded by stakes with nets and small stakes. A woman in the area said that the nets are used to catch small birds, while large birds such as storks, herons, etc. when lost in ponds or lakes will get stuck with the resin on the sticks placed around the decoys and cannot escape.
Leaving the old Dien Tho area, we visited many more areas in Dien Chau, Nghi Loc, and Cua Lo districts (old) such as Dien Loi, Dien An, Nghi Thiet, Nghi Thu, Nghi Huong... From the recorded reality, it can be affirmed that the problem of catching wild birds is the same as it was then. Wherever there are rice fields connected to ponds, lakes, and dense trees, there will appear flocks of decoy storks to lure wild birds. And perhaps, coastal areas have a higher density. Talking to some people who are knowledgeable about wild bird hunting, we received advice: If you go to Ha Tinh, go to Nghi Xuan. If you are in Nghe An, you should go to Quynh Thanh. That is the "capital", the "origin" of wild bird hunting...
We hurriedly visited Quynh Thanh land, now part of the new commune of Quynh Anh. Walking around the border area of Quynh Thanh and the old Quynh Bang, we could witness the hunting of wild birds everywhere. In many ponds, lakes for shrimp farming and the surrounding bushes… there were birds, decoys and all kinds of nets. In the rice fields, along the roads in the fields, many layers of poles were set up to tie silk nets, and at the same time, there were small huts as resting places for wild bird hunters. Also in these locations, there was always the sound of wild birds calling their flocks from carefully hidden speakers…
During our visit to Dien Tho, we asked to buy wild birds. People said that you can find them at the market. For example, at Si Nam market, from 3:30 pm onwards, there are many. Traders collect wild birds from the people, bring them straight to the market, pluck their feathers, and roast them alive...
At 10am on October 29, I stopped by Phu Dien market. Although there weren’t many, there were still shops openly selling wild birds. There were quite a few types of wild birds, and their weights were different. According to a shop owner, the types of wild birds on sale included storks, herons, and egrets. Each type had a different price, such as egrets costing 40,000 VND/bird; storks costing 70,000 VND/large bird, and small birds costing 50,000 VND/bird. Regarding the price, there was a “no bargaining”. Among these, there were types that had their feathers plucked and were thoroughly charred; there were types that had their feathers plucked but not charred. There were birds that had their feathers plucked but were still alive, their bodies were bleeding, their bare wings spread out and flapped, as if they wanted to escape from their bonds and find freedom. Where did the wild birds come from? Responding from the coastal areas of Dien Thanh, Dien An... “During the rainy season, many birds return. People catch them and collect them to sell to those in need. Wild birds are not like poultry. The meat is delicious and sweet, and there is no need to worry about bird feed…”, the shop owner affirmed.
Quynh Thanh market located next to the headquarters of the Fatherland Front of Quynh Anh commune also has a lot of wild birds. At 11:30 on October 29, there are many kinds of wild birds for sale such as storks, herons, and herons... The vendors seem to see unfamiliar customers and enthusiastically give detailed instructions on how to prepare them. For storks, stir-fry with sour star fruit; for herons, season with salt and sweet, marinate with lemongrass, chili, and fried crispy lemon leaves; for herons, buy galangal and lemongrass to cook with fake dog meat. Ask if the goods are available or not? According to the sellers, this time of year, both the morning and afternoon markets have them. The quantity or quantity depends on the source of goods caught by the people. One shop owner also said: "Buy fresh goods at the market. But if you live far away and it is not convenient to go to the market, you can order them, there will be frozen goods shipped back...".
At 3:30 p.m. on October 29, visiting Si Nam market, it was exactly as the people of Dien Tho had told me. At this time, the buyers had not arrived yet, but there were already a few places selling wild birds. Some birds were already prepared, and you just had to bargain and pay to be able to pack them up and take them home. But there were also some that had just been plucked and were still alive, and only after the sale was completed did the seller use a blowtorch to burn them and remove the organs on the spot. One shop had two large storks, weighing 0.4 - 0.5 kg each. When asked for the selling price, the shop owner replied that it would cost 110,000 VND each. Then the owner held up a pair of plucked but still alive storks to admire, affirming that this was a rare item. She said: "A customer in Vinh ordered 15 of these the other day but only managed to get 8. When they received the goods, they scolded me, saying they did not keep their word..." Then he clicked his tongue again: "They are wild birds, not farmed chickens or ducks, so just order them and they will come...".
Telling his colleagues about wild birds that are always available in the markets of Dien Chau and Quynh Luu (old). The eldest brother laughed and said: In the markets in the wards of Vinh city (old), this item is not rare. It's just that there are rarely fresh goods...". Visiting a few places in the markets: Hung Dung, Quang Trung, Doi Cung..., it is true that wild birds are also sold. Finding out, wild birds in these market areas are mainly brought over by people from Nghi Xuan, Ha Tinh province to sell.
Many years ago, realizing the importance of wildlife protection, Vietnam joined international conventions such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Convention on Biological Diversity. In addition, it has developed a national strategy on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and developed and maintained legal documents to protect wildlife.
Recently, on October 17, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Ministry of Public Security signed a Coordination Plan to combat and prevent violations of laws related to wildlife protection in Vietnam. Accordingly, from October to December 2025, nationwide, the focus will be on propaganda, inspection, and handling of violations of laws related to wildlife protection. Particularly for propaganda work, a national communication program will be implemented with the message:“No hunting – No consumption – Protect wildlife, migratory birds, protect aquatic resources”; launch a mass movement to denounce and prevent violations of the law on wildlife, encourage people not to hunt, trap, or capture wild animals, migratory birds, etc.; at the same time, set up a hotline to receive information, check, and handle violations of the law.
Citing some information like that to confirm, all acts of hunting and trading wild birds are violations of the law and will be strictly handled if discovered. With the reality we have recorded, the problem of hunting and trading wild birds in the province is still complicated on a large scale. Perhaps, hunting and trading wild birds is still considered by a part of society as a hobby, or a livelihood at a certain time. But whatever the cause, it needs to change. Change to have awareness of the importance of protecting wild animals, to understand the legal regulations. To avoid unfortunate risks for yourself and your family, and to give the countryside of Nghe An a peaceful space to welcome flocks of migratory wild birds to take shelter.
