The People's Committee (PPC) of Dong Thap province has recently dispatched an official request to Customs Sub-Department of Region II and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, seeking facilitation for the import procedures of Sarus cranes from the Kingdom of Thailand to Tan Son Nhat Airport in 2026.
Sarus cranes at Tram Chim National Park are being paired up for further breeding efforts. (Image cropped from a camera video)
With the dedicated support of Customs Sub-Department of Region II and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Dong Thap province successfully received the first batch of 06 sarus cranes from the Kingdom of Thailand on April 10, 2025. These individuals have well adapted to the local environment in Dong Thap province and have now been successfully paired to proceed with captive breeding and reproduction efforts.
To date, Dong Thap province and the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand have fundamentally finalized the regulatory procedures to accept the second batch of 06 cranes from Thailand to Vietnam in 2026. Following the approval from the Department of Animal Health regarding the import quarantine of the 06 Sarus cranes (Grus antigone) from the Kingdom of Thailand, Dong Thap province is scheduled to receive these individuals on June 23, 2026, and subsequently transport them to Tram Chim National Park, Dong Thap Province.
To ensure the health and safety of the cranes and to expedite their transfer to Tram Chim National Park for mandatory quarantine in accordance with current regulations, the Provincial People's Committee respectfully requests Customs Sub-Department of Region II and Tan Son Nhat International Airport to review and facilitate the customs clearance processes. Furthermore, it is requested that favorable conditions be granted for specialized vehicles from Dong Thap Province's competent authorities to access secure locations within the cargo area. This will enable the direct loading and transport of the cranes onto air-conditioned specialized vehicles, ensuring a safe environment and stable temperature for the animals immediately upon completion of the procedures.
Nguyệt Ánh
Translated by Gia Vi
Nguồn: Dong Thap Portal

On the afternoon of June 24, at the headquarters of the People's Committee of Tram Chim Commune, the People's Committee of Dong Thap province organized the Program for the Reception of Sarus Cranes at Tram Chim National Park in 2026 (Phase 2). This event marked the transfer of 06 crane individuals from Thailand under the Project on "Conservation and Development of Sarus Cranes at Tram Chim National Park for the period of 2022 - 2032."

On the afternoon of June 22, the 2nd handover ceremony for 06 Eastern Sarus Cranes in 2026 took place at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, Korat province, Kingdom of Thailand. The event was held under the Conservation Cooperation Program between Thailand and Vietnam (specifically Tram Chim National Park, Dong Thap province).
Before the working session with Tram Chim National Park (the world's 2,000th Ramsar site), Dr. Mahendra Shrestha, Deputy Director of the International Crane Foundation, and Dr. Tran Triet, Director of the International Crane Foundation's Southeast Asia Crane Program, met with the Provincial People's Committee leaders at noon on October 14. Mr. Huynh Minh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and leaders from other provincial departments met the delegation.

Tram Chim National Park is completing the final steps to prepare for bringing the sarus cranes home. This is an important part of the Conservation and Development Project for the Sarus Crane (2022 - 2032), aiming to restore the population of this rare bird species in the Dong Thap Muoi region."

On the morning of April 13, at Saigon Zoo, where six cranes transferred to Vietnam from Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo (Thailand) are being quarantined, experts from Thailand, Vietnam, and the International Crane Foundation discussed and assessed the health status of the cranes after three days of isolated care.

To restore and expand the population of sarus cranes in Tram Chim National Park through captive breeding and reintroduction efforts, Dong Thap Province received the first six cranes from Thailand on the evening of April 10, 2025.

Fire has played a significant role in the creation and administration of Tram Chim National Park throughout the last four decades. Sometimes fire destroys, and in many cases fire helps regenerate.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee approved the infrastructure project for the second phase of the Sarus Crane development and restoration program at Tram Chim National Park. Tram Chim National Park serves as the project's investor.

One of the primary tasks of the expert delegation from the International Crane Federation (ICF) during their week-long stay in Tram Chim National Park (Tam Nong area) was to assist Tram Chim National Park in completing the necessary stages for supplies and qualified workers to guarantee that the sarus crane captive breeding procedure is carried out.