Vietnam Birding Tours
Summary of our Vietnam birding tours
Our Vietnam birding tours focus on finding as many of Vietnam’s bird endemics, near-endemics, and regional specials as possible while also offering excellent photographic opportunities. This region is rich in endemic and near-endemic species, from the vibrant Bar-bellied Pitta and Blue Pitta to Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, and Vietnamese Cutia. Forested landscapes, plateaus, and nature reserves such as Cat Tien, Da Lat, Di Linh, Mang Den, and Ngoc Linh provide ideal habitats for these secretive and often spectacular species. Our tours visit several hides, providing us with excellent photographic opportunities of many of our target species, while small-group dynamics increase the chances of finding elusive forest birds. Beyond birds, Vietnam’s forests are home to gibbons, monkeys, and interesting reptiles, making this region a hotspot for wildlife enthusiasts.
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Introduction to Vietnam
Ravaged by twenty years of war from 1955-1975 (the Vietnam War), this country has since emerged to become an economic powerhouse and is rapidly becoming one of the go-to places in Asia for birding and bird photography. The country offers something for everyone with an interest in birds. Located on the eastern edge of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam is home to over a dozen endemic species (the highest number of endemics of any mainland country in Southeast Asia) and double that in terms of endemic subspecies and potential future splits. Vietnam birding tours are certainly important to any world lister.
Vietnam is a long (930 miles / 1,500 kilometers), thin strip of land shaped like a slightly reduced ‘S’, resembling a seahorse. The far north of Vietnam is bisected by the Hoang Lien Son mountains; these are a subrange of the eastern Himalayas and link the area’s birds with that part of Central Asia, with China to the north. Here also is Vietnams highest mountain, Fansipan (10,300 feet/3,140 meters). The eastern boundary of the country is made up of over 1,860 miles/3,000 kilometers of often-spectacular coastline (e.g. the world-famous Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Vietnam’s western boundary is largely formed by the Truong Son (Annamite) mountains, with Laos bordering the northern section and Cambodia the southern section. At the foot of the Truong Son mountains is Tay Nguyen, the Western Highlands, where the Kon Tum and Da Lat plateaus are located. We will visit the Da Lat plateau and the surrounding area during our annual Central and Southern Vietnam set-departure birding tour. Heading west from the Da Lat and Kon Tum plateaus are the lowlands of the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam; in this area is Cat Tien National Park, another area we visit on our annual Vietnam birding tours.
The capital city of Vietnam is Hanoi, which is situated in the north of the country and known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture with southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influence. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, gained prominence during the Vietnam War (1955–1975), when it served as the capital of South Vietnam.”. Ho Chi Minh City is now the financial center of Vietnam. Our Central and Southern Vietnam set-departure tour starts and ends in Ho Chi Minh City. If you have an interest in the Vietnam War, or the periods of French colonization – the Notre Dame Cathedral built between 1863-1880 is spectacular – and would like to visit some of these places this can easily be arranged prior to or after your tour.
A range of habitats are present across the country, and during our Vietnam birding tours we spend time birding within lowland evergreen forest (including forest on limestone), bamboo groves, wetlands, semi-evergreen forest at Cat Tien National Park, and montane evergreen forest, secondary forest, coniferous forest, and cultivation on the Da Lat plateau, as well as other areas in between.
Download Vietnam Itineraries
Vietnam: Southern and Central Vietnam: Endemics and Regional Specials March 2027/2028
Vietnam Gallery
Collared Laughingthrush
Golden-winged Laughingthrush
Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush
Red-tailed Laughingthrush
Indochinese Green Magpie
Vietnamese Cutia
Bar-bellied Pitta
Blue Pitta
Blue-rumped Pitta
Rusty-naped Pitta
Pale-headed Woodpecker
Black-crowned Barwing
Black-headed Parrotbill
Silver-breasted Broadbill
Grey-crowned Crocias
Red-billed Scimitar Babbler
Orange-necked Partridge
Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant
Grey-bellied Tesia
Siamese Fireback