Flocks of seagulls descending on Rach Gia City in Kien Giang Province have drawn in hundreds of tourists hoping to snap photos of the stunning birds as they soar through the sky.

According to Vu Thi Huynh, a photographer based in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, seagulls began returning to Rach Gia on a seasonal basis about ten years ago.  

Each year, the seagulls visit the coastal edge of Rach Gia to hunt for freshwater fish that have become lost in the sea. 

Seagulls fight over prey at a beach in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

"When freshwater fish enter saltwater, they become vulnerable to predators due to the hypertonic environment, which makes hunting easier for the birds,” Huynh explained.

"Visitors love watching and photographing seagulls." 

Photographing seagulls takes some luck, and the weather definitely affects the kinds of shots photographers are able to take, with some preferring to snap photos of seagulls soaring over calm seas and others preferring to catch the seagulls as they nosedive towards the water in search of prey.

Seagulls fight over prey at a beach in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Seagulls visit Rach Gia each year from October to the end of March. 

This year, an influx of king seagulls – a species known for its beautiful plumage - is visiting the area. 

Huynh stated that this bird was dubbed the "king seagulls" by photographers.

This particular species is extremely intelligent and prefers freshwater fish to sea fish. 

A 'king seagull' hunts for food at a beach in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

As a result, Huynh and other photographers in the area have brought plenty of river fish with them to lure in the seagulls.

"Today, while visiting Kien Giang Province, I saw a ton of seagulls returning,” said Nguyen Thi Hoa, a visitor from Can Tho City. 

“They were truly magnificent. I love watching them dive into the water to catch fish.”

A photographer shows her photo of seagulls at a beach in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Photographers gather at a beach in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam to take photos of seagulls. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Seagulls at a beach in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam to take photos of seagulls. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

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