Bustling scene of wild bird trading "avoiding" authorities in Hanoi

After a series of Dan Tri articles reported on the open sale of wild birds in several locations in Hanoi , local authorities have taken action to deal with the illegal trade.

However, after a few days of silence, the trade of wild birds resumed. The traders traded more discreetly to avoid the control of the authorities.

Cảnh buôn bán chim trời tấp nập né cơ quan chức năng ở Hà Nội - 1 — The bird market recurs hidden in temporary tents along the road (Photo: Khoi Vu).

Dan Tri reporters spent many days recording and directly infiltrating bird selling points on Thang Long Boulevard, through Quoc Oai town, from Hoa Lac to the center of Hanoi.

Unlike before, the wild bird shops have retreated to operate discreetly, covered with tarpaulins, and always with their doors locked. When strangers appear, the vendors leave or quickly move into temporary shelters and lock their doors.

These temporary shelters are built quite solidly and tightly.

When regular customers come to buy, the traders will go into the temporary sheds to select the goods, then carefully pack the birds in black plastic bags. In addition, some traders "gather" the birds in other locations, and when customers ask, they will send someone to pick up the goods.

This process is carried out carefully and discreetly, the traders "look before and after" before making a transaction for the customer.

Cảnh buôn bán chim trời tấp nập né cơ quan chức năng ở Hà Nội - 2 — Instead of cages for raising ducks, chickens, and birds left on the street like before, now traders keep them in temporary tents with closed doors (Photo: Khoi Vu).

On the afternoon of December 10, a reporter approached a merchant at the market. When he expressed his desire to buy wild birds in large quantities to prepare a feast, this person leaned over to the reporter and firmly affirmed: "I sell wild birds, fish, everything! Here there are all kinds of birds, chickens, ducks, herons, storks, herons, and so on..."

"Egrets and herons cost from 300,000 to 550,000 VND/bird. Egrets cost about 150,000 to 250,000 VND/bird. Storks and small birds cost around 100,000 VND/bird...

Whatever you want to eat, you can call home, your husband will kill it for you. If you eat quickly, it will be too late. I guarantee the herons are still alive, but this one is a bit small, I will buy it cheaply. I am determined to eat it quickly, otherwise, I will leave. The police are very strict now, if you get caught, you will be fined several million VND. I only make a profit of more than 100,000 VND per bird," this person said.

This vendor also said that if you want to eat it right away, you can wait 30 minutes for the goods to arrive, but if you want to buy a lot, you can leave your phone number for home delivery. Wild birds are gathered at another location, this camp only sells chickens and ducks.

"Just save the phone number, call if you need anything, we can deliver to your door, we don't have live goods here to avoid inspection," the merchant said and didn't forget to open his phone to show pictures of all kinds of wild birds.

Cảnh buôn bán chim trời tấp nập né cơ quan chức năng ở Hà Nội - 3 — Traders invite customers to eat wild birds caught by locals (Photo: Khoi Vu).

When the reporter suggested going to the house to see the fresh or frozen goods, this person was alert, immediately changed his attitude, and refused to sell.

Cảnh buôn bán chim trời tấp nập né cơ quan chức năng ở Hà Nội - 4 — Egrets and storks are cleaned by traders and are waiting to be supplied to customers (Photo: Provided by the seller).

Cảnh buôn bán chim trời tấp nập né cơ quan chức năng ở Hà Nội - 5 — A trader showed a reporter a photo of a white heron, which costs from 300,000 to 700,000 VND each (Photo: Provided by the seller).

Cảnh buôn bán chim trời tấp nập né cơ quan chức năng ở Hà Nội - 6 — The chicken and duck cage area is always locked (Photo: Khoi Vu).

Cảnh buôn bán chim trời tấp nập né cơ quan chức năng ở Hà Nội - 7 — It is very difficult to access the inside of the temporary shed where chickens, ducks... are kept (Photo: Khoi Vu).

When a male customer pulled over to the side of the road and asked to buy three storks, seeing that he was an acquaintance, the merchant quickly called home to prepare.

"If anyone asks, tell them to sit here and drink some water. I'm going back to get the bird," the vendor told the customer.

After less than 20 minutes, the woman rode her motorbike home and returned with a tightly tied plastic bag. Inside were three cleaned and golden-brown storks. She also said that to avoid detection by the authorities, the storks would have their beaks chopped off.

"If the beak is cut off, the police won't be able to recognize the bird and fine it. If you want to eat anything tomorrow, just call me. I have all kinds of birds," this person told the customer.

Cảnh buôn bán chim trời tấp nập né cơ quan chức năng ở Hà Nội - 8 — Wild birds have their beaks chopped off to deceive authorities (Photo: Khoi Vu).

Cảnh buôn bán chim trời tấp nập né cơ quan chức năng ở Hà Nội - 9 — The wild birds are wrapped in discreet black plastic bags and then given to customers (Photo: Khoi Vu).

Sharing with reporters, a vendor here revealed that after the authorities took action, they signed a commitment not to sell goods in this area as well as not to sell wild birds.

This bird market is located in Ngoc My commune, Quoc Oai district, Hanoi.

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