Orchid Stream Island in Vietnam, visitors looking for an island with five-star services and accommodation won’t find them here, but for those who want a back-to-nature experience, Orchid Stream Island is one of the best choices.
Located on Ninh Phu Commune, Ninh Hoa District, Khanh Hoa Province Vietnam, the island is formed by many small streams flowing down Hon Heo Mountain, winding through rocky hills for six kilometers and across the plain before emptying into Nha Phu Lagoon.
Until recently there were few services available for tourists, but today there are many activities, for example ostrich riding, an animal circus, mountain climbing or sea-sports such as parasailing and jet skiing.
There are 12 large, tall male ostriches ready to lend their backs to visitors. They are very friendly and travellers are welcome to watch and feed them. Some shops on the island also sell ostrich eggs with little paintings on them, priced around VND200,000 per egg.
The most famous animal on the island is an elephant named Lan (Orchid). Seven years ago the 25-year-old female elephant left her homeland in Ban Don Village in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak Vietnam. She is very friendly and allows visitors who want to take photos with her to sit on her trunk or back.
Her keeper usually has some sugar-cane to offer to Lan when she finishes her performance. From this month, Lan will perform two circus shows, at 9.30am and 1pm every day, each lasting about 15 minutes. Her show will usually be followed with a performance by the four bears.
Last month the island launched a mountain climbing service for tourists, arranged by the owner in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City - based Hong Bang Travel Company.
Tours originating in the province’s Nha Trang City cost just VND450,000 per person for a one day climbing tour on the island with expert guides from Hong Bang.
As suggested by the name, the island has many beautiful orchids gathered from across the northern and central regions, as well as plants native to the central coast. In the “Cave of Orchid Flower” visitors can see more than 3,000 beautiful specimens of 39 orchid species.
Two houses on stilts with a capacity of 40 people each are always available for visitors who want to enjoy the natural atmosphere of the island.
Tours to Orchid Stream Island can be purchased from Long Phu Tourist Company, which offers a province-based tour, or from a number of travel firms in Ho Chi Minh City.
In Nha Trang, call (058) 527 022 for more information on tours to the island.
In Ho Chi Minh City, tourists can contact Ben Thanh Tourist Travel Service Center to book a tour to Orchid Island.
(Source: SGT)
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