Buzz
If you are planning a trip to the Western region of the Mekong Delta, you cannot miss the Bac Lieu Bird Garden nature reserve. Here, you will immerse yourself in the cool, wild natural atmosphere.
Bac Lieu Bird Garden (st photo)
Introduction to Bac Lieu Bird Garden
Bac Lieu Bird Garden is a remaining part of the coastal mangrove forest, gradually moving away from the East Sea due to natural sedimentation. Expanded to 385ha including 19ha of primeval forest, it is home to about 46 bird species, including those listed in the Red Book, 150 animal species with 58 fish species, 7 frog species, 10 mammal species, 8 reptile species, and other animals combined with 109 plant species belonging to 90 genera of 46 families, forming a rich community of flora and fauna demonstrating high biodiversity.
Bac Lieu Bird Garden (st photo)
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The vegetation system in Bac Lieu Bird Garden currently comprises 181 species. Characterized by natural forest with species such as mangroves, coc, tra, gia, mam... It plays a major role in the life, nesting, and reproduction of wild birds.
Mangrove trees are adapted for bird species in the heron and bittern groups to use as nesting sites. Lotus and water lily trees are suitable for species like gray herons and painted storks. Trees like acacia and cocoon are preferred by firebacks for habitat and nesting during the breeding season.
habitat of many rare bird species (st photo)
protective forest areas (st photo)
Standing on a tall observation tower, Bac Lieu Bird Garden is indeed a fascinating corner of nature in the southern region. The 'home' of birds is a diverse plant community, mostly consisting of mangroves, lotuses, and tall trees like linden, along with various tropical forest species.
The intertwining of vegetation creates a green environment suitable for birds to inhabit. They seem to live in an organized manner, each species occupying its designated area. At the highest points, storks perch while egrets and herons divide themselves, nesting in the branches of tall trees.
observation tower (st photo)
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Venturing into the forest and looking up, one can easily spot that every 4 to 5 trees there is one heavily laden with 5 to 6 nests of egrets and herons, complete with eggs and fledglings. Each time a human footstep crushes a leaf in the garden, the mother birds take to the sky chirping frantically as an alarm, while the young chicks crane their necks nervously, looking around.
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Guidance on visiting Bac Lieu Bird Garden
1- Getting to Bac Lieu Bird Garden
If you are in Hanoi or other provinces, you need to travel to Saigon by plane. Check ticket prices here
From Saigon, there are 2 ways to get to Bac Lieu Bird Garden for you to choose from:
- By bus: You can go to the Eastern or Western bus station and take a bus to Bac Lieu operated by companies like Lien Hung, Phuong Trang,… with ticket prices around 160k – 180k/person. Upon arrival in Bac Lieu, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to the bird garden!
- By self-driving: If you prefer to drive yourself, you can follow the directions from Saigon to Bac Lieu Bird Garden as follows: Take Highway QL1A to Bac Lieu province, from the city center of Bac Lieu, cross Kim Son bridge (Quay bridge) and follow the road named after the late musician Cao Van Lau towards Nha Mat direction for about 3km, then turn right and continue for about 3km, crossing the 30 – 4 canal via a sturdy concrete bridge, you will have reached the Bac Lieu Bird Garden, located in Hiep Thanh commune, Bac Lieu town. View detailed map here.
Bac Lieu Bird Garden entrance gate (photo by st)
2- Explore the bird garden
At the bird garden, you can choose to explore on foot. There are signboards in the area or you can rent a bike (40k/person) to explore the entire bird garden, which is about 5km.
photo by st
photo by st
If you visit here at sunset, from the East Sea's tinted purple hue, from the golden rice fields of Bac Lieu... flocks of birds fly back to their nests. They fly in an orderly manner, separated by plumage and species. Some formations resemble arrows darting forward, while others scatter loosely... when they return home, the avian community bustles in a corner of the forest.
photo by st
Especially in the afternoon, the forest appears like undulating green silk, embellished with the colors of birds hurrying back to their nests. They fly separately in different flocks, different species. There seems to be an arrangement, a convention among the species, each with its own territory. There's the black of the storks on the highest branches, the pure white of resting egrets on the lower branches...
Everything becomes lively with various sounds: rustling leaves, flapping wings, mother birds calling their chicks... blending together like a symphony sent to distant guests.
photo by st
As night falls, nocturnal birds awaken, breaking the silence of the night. These sounds are like the forest's breath, awakening the bond between humans and nature... With provincial investment, a canal has been dug surrounding the area, along with water reservoirs and fish ponds providing additional food sources, gradually restoring the original natural environment. Hence, the number and diversity of bird species are increasing.
photo by st
photo by st
photo by st
Bird species usually gather vibrantly at the Bac Lieu Bird Garden from May to October each year. They typically nest in trees until around January before migrating elsewhere. This is the bird festival season and an ideal bird-watching tourism period, where the air is filled with chirping melodies, featuring hundreds of different vocal tones.
flock of Egrets flying back to nests (photo by st)
photo by st
You can take a boat ride to observe various bird species along both sides.
boat dock (photo by st)
Furthermore, around the Bac Lieu Bird Garden management office, there are also wild animal viewing areas where you can observe closely; scenes of birds busy feeding or leisurely basking in the sun, and other species such as: monkeys, pythons, turtles, crocodiles, wild boars...
After birdwatching, enjoying the wildlife, you can visit the simple leafy eateries set up by the quiet lake, adorned with lotus ponds, clusters of water lilies... where hammocks sway for you to relax, fishing gear is available, and traditional countryside dishes are served.
turtle breeding area (photo by st)
3- Resting, Dining
Good hotels are all about 5-8km from the bird garden, including the Nha Mat tourist area. You can come here to eat, rest, and take advantage of the activities offered. Refer to experiences visiting the Nha Mat tourist area
Nha Mat tourist area (photo by st)
For dining, you can choose to eat local street food such as grilled sausage, bánh bồn, xá pấu, stir-fried noodles... On Vo Thi Sau Street in the city, there is a very delicious and cheap grilled sausage - stir-fried noodles restaurant, ranging from 30k-60k per dish.
grilled sausage (photo by st)
Information about Bac Lieu Bird Garden
- Address: Cao Van Lau Street, Nha Mat Ward, Bac Lieu City, Bac Lieu Province
- Phone: 0291 3835 991
- Ticket price: about 30k/ person
- Opening hours: 6AM- 10PM
conservation area entrance gate (photo by st)
Wishing you a pleasant trip!
