For nearly 30 years, hundreds of herons and cormorants have made DoungLeySiRiVanSa Pagoda, also known as Duong Xuong Moi Pagoda, in Dinh Hoa Commune, An Giang Province, their home.
The century-old pagoda stands beside rice fields and is surrounded by large, mature trees, creating a peaceful green sanctuary that has long attracted wild birds.
Danh Ty, the pagoda's abbot, said the temple was built more than 100 years ago.
"About 25 years ago, when I was still a Buddhist devotee at the pagoda, herons and cormorants began nesting here. At one point, the flock numbered several thousand birds. However, because of hunting, their numbers gradually declined, and only about 100 birds remain today. We are doing our best to protect them," he said.
According to the monk, the birds once covered the treetops so densely that their calls filled the air from dawn until dusk.
Some trees even withered after years of supporting such large numbers of nesting birds.
The herons living at the pagoda are locally known as white herons, with some weighing up to 4kg. Cormorants also inhabit the site alongside the herons.
Despite ongoing efforts by the pagoda and local authorities to protect the colony, illegal hunting has continued to reduce the number of wild birds seeking refuge at the temple, leaving many local residents concerned about their future.