This is a sample selection of birding combination tour itineraries. Vietnam Birding is the specialist in creating custom tours tailor-made to suit your needs so please e-mail us with your specific requests at info@vietnambirding.com
The Best of Vietnam Birding (16 Days)
This is the classic Vietnam birding tour taking in the four top birding sites in the country. This tour can be done north to south from Hanoi or south to north from Ho Chi Minh City and the number of days at each site can be more or less.
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi. Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park
Arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport and transfer directly to Cuc Phuong National Park, a three-hour drive south of Hanoi. Stop off at Van Long Nature Reserve 30 km before the entrance to Cuc Phuong in the late afternoon. Here a sampan ride through flooded rice fields leads to the dramatic limestone cliffs that are home to the largest population of one of Vietnam’s critically endangered primates, Delacour’s Langur. There are usually large numbers of waterbirds at Van Long including several species of ducks, waders, bitterns, herons and egrets as well as White-browed Crake and a raptor or two. Overnight at Cuc Phuong National Park HQ.
Days 2 & 3: Cuc Phuong National Park
The first national park to be established in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong is an area of limestone hills covered in primary rainforest. The best birding is in the centre of the park where there are several excellent trails including the Loop Trail and the Valley Trail. The main road through the park can also be very productive especially for over-wintering thrushes early in the morning. There are two full days to search for Cuc Phuong specialities such as Pied Falconet, Bar-bellied, Blue-rumped and Eared Pitta, Silver-breasted Broadbill, White-winged Magpie, White-tailed Flycatcher, Fujian Niltava and Limestone Wren-Babbler. Overnight at Cuc Phuong National Park HQ.
Day 4: Cuc Phuong National Park to Tam Dao
A full morning of birding at Cuc Phuong before heading back to Hanoi and then on to the hill station of Tam Dao. Overnight at Tam Dao.
Days 5 & 6: Tam Dao
Two full days to explore the trails above Tam Dao town leading through nice montane evergreen and bamboo forest. Specialities at Tam Dao include Purple and Green Cochoas, Chestnut Bulbul, Grey Laughingthrush, Coral-billed and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers and Greater Rufous-headed and Short-tailed Parrotbills. Winter visitors that may turn up here between December and March include Black-breasted, Japanese, Eyebrowed and Grey-backed Thrush and Fujian Niltava. Overnight at Tam Dao.
Day 7: Tam Dao to Dalat via Hanoi
An early start from Tam Dao to catch the 07.30 flight from Hanoi Airport to another hill station, Dalat, in the Central Highlands. In the afternoon make the first of several visits to the Ta Nung Valley, a small but bird-filled area of remnant evergreen forest 10 km from Dalat. This is the most accessible site for the rare and endemic Grey-crowned Crocias. Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush as well as the recently split Black-crowned Parrotbill may also be found here. Other possibilities here include the very distinct local sub-species of Blue-winged Minla, Rufous-backed and Black-headed Sibias and Black-throated Sunbird, Jerdon’s Baza, Blue Pitta and the beautiful yellow-breasted form of Indochinese Green Magpie. Overnight at Dalat.
Days 8, 9 & 10: Dalat
In addition to the wonderful Ta Nung Valley there are two other main birding sites around Dalat - Mount Lang Bian and Ho Tuyen Lam. Mount Lang Bian, is a 2,169 m high peak 20 minutes by road from Dalat. Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Grey-crowned Tit, Vietnamese Cutia, Black-crowned Fulvetta and Vietnamese Greenfinch can be found in the pine and montane evergreen forest here. The most sought-after species at Lang Bian however is the beautiful and skulking endemic Collared Laughingthrush. Ho Tuyen Lam is a man-made lake, just 3 km from the centre of town. At the far end of the lake there are tracks leading through pines to areas of remnant tropical evergreen forest. Burmese Shrike, Slender-billed Oriole, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Vietnamese Cutia, Red Crossbill and Vietnamese Greenfinch can be found in the pines while the evergreen forest is home to Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias and Black-crowned Parrotbill amongst others. Overnight at Dalat.
Day 11: Dalat to Di Linh
Leave Dalat after a final morning of birding and head to a forested mountain pass near to the town of Di Linh a two-hour drive from Dalat. The evergreen forest here is home to several Dalat Plateau specialities including Black-hooded, White-cheeked Laughingthrush and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush as well as the Indochinese endemic Black-crowned Parrotbill. Overnight at Di Linh.
Day 12: Di Linh to Cat Tien National Park
An early morning visit to the mountain pass at Di Linh to look for other exciting possibilities such as Blue and Rusty-naped Pitta, Indochinese Green Magpie, Spotted Forktail and Green Cochoa before continuing along Highway 20 towards Cat Tien National Park. Cat Tien contains the largest remaining area of lowland tropical forest in southern Vietnam and an incredible diversity of birds and mammals including over 330 bird species. Endangered birds found here include Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, Green Peafowl and the very elusive Orange-necked Partridge. Mammals that may be seen include Leopard Cat, Eurasian Wild Pig, Lesser Mousedeer, Sambar, Red Muntjac and Gaur as well as two endangered primates, Black-shanked Douc Langur and Buff-cheeked Gibbon. There should be time for late afternoon birding at Cat Tien after checking into the HQ accommodation. Overnight at Cat Tien National Park HQ.
Days 13, 14 & 15: Cat Tien National Park
A full three days of birding along the road and forest trails at Cat Tien National Park. Jeeps are used to visit areas further afield such as Crocodile Lake where Green Peafowl, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and Lesser Adjutant may be seen. The 5 km walk through the forest to Crocodile Lake is one of the best places to look for Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pitta as well as Red-and-Black and Banded Broadbill and Orange-breasted Trogon amongst others. Other specialities at Cat Tien include Scaly-breasted Partridge, Siamese Fireback, Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, White-bellied, Great Slaty, Pale-headed and Black-and-Buff Woodpecker, Red-vented Barbet, Woolly-necked Stork, and Grey-faced Tit-Babbler. Overnight at Cat Tien National Park HQ.
Day 16: Cat Tien National Park to Ho Chi Minh City. Depart Ho Chi Minh City
A final morning of birding along the forest trails or the surfaced road through Cat Tien National Park where Green-eared, Blue-eared, Lineated and Red-vented Barbet can often be seen perched high up in the roadside trees. Check out of the park guest house after lunch and drive the 150 km to Ho Chi Minh City to transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Southern Vietnam’s Endemics & Specialities (10 Days)
This southern Vietnam circuit covers two of Vietnam’s five Endemic Bird Areas – the South Vietnamese Lowlands EBA and the Dalat Plateau EBA – in depth, with plenty of time to search for those endemics and specilaities. This tour can also run in reverse order.
Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City to Cat Tien National Park
Arrive at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport and transfer by road directly to Cat Tien National Park, 150 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Cat Tien National Park contains the largest remaining area of lowland tropical forest in southern Vietnam and an incredible diversity of birds and mammals including over 330 bird species. Endangered birds found here include Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, Green Peafowl and the very elusive Orange-necked Partridge. Mammals that may be seen along the trails include Leopard Cat, Eurasian Wild Pig, Lesser Mousedeer, Sambar, Red Muntjac and Gaur as well as two endangered primates, Black-shanked Douc Langur and Buff-cheeked Gibbon. Overnight at Cat Tien National Park HQ.
Days 2, 3 & 4: Cat Tien National Park
A full three days of birding along the road and forest trails at Cat Tien National Park. Jeeps are used to visit areas further afield such as Crocodile Lake where Green Peafowl, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and Lesser Adjutant may be seen. The 5 km walk through the forest to Crocodile Lake is one of the best places to look for Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pitta as well as Red-and-Black and Banded Broadbill and Orange-breasted Trogon amongst others. Other specialities at Cat Tien include Scaly-breasted Partridge, Siamese Fireback, Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, White-bellied, Great Slaty, Pale-headed and Black-and-Buff Woodpecker, Red-vented Barbet, Woolly-necked Stork, and Grey-faced Tit-Babbler. Overnight at Cat Tien National Park HQ.
Day 5: Cat Tien National Park to Di Linh
A final morning of birding along the forest trails or the surfaced road through Cat Tien National Park where Green-eared, Blue-eared, Lineated and Red-vented Barbet can often be seen perched high up in the roadside trees. Check out of the park guest house after an early lunch and drive in the direction of Dalat for around an hour and a half to the town of Di Linh. A good road leading to the coast branches off from Di Linh and a forested mountain pass 20 minutes along this road is home to several Dalat Plateau specialities including Black-hooded, White-cheeked Laughingthrush and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush as well as the Indochinese endemic Black-crowned Parrotbill. After an afternoon birding along the road return to Di Linh for the night. Overnight at Di Linh.
Day 6: Di Linh to Dalat
An early morning visit to the mountain pass at Di Linh to look for other exciting possibilities such as Blue and Rusty-naped Pitta, Indochinese Green Magpie, Spotted Forktail and Green Cochoa before continuing along Highway 20 to the cooler climes of the former French colonial hill station of Dalat. In the afternoon make the first of several visits to the Ta Nung Valley, a small but bird-filled area of remnant evergreen forest 10 km from Dalat. This is the most accessible site for the rare and endemic Grey-crowned Crocias. Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush as well as the recently split Black-crowned Parrotbill may also be found here. Other possibilities here include the very distinct local sub-species of Blue-winged Minla, Rufous-backed and Black-headed Sibias and Black-throated Sunbird, Jerdon’s Baza, Blue Pitta and the beautiful yellow-breasted form of Indochinese Green Magpie. Overnight at Dalat.
Days 7, 8 & 9: Dalat
In addition to the wonderful Ta Nung Valley there are two other main birding sites around Dalat - Mount Lang Bian and Ho Tuyen Lam. Mount Lang Bian, is a 2,169 m high peak 20 minutes by road from Dalat. Wintering Mugimaki Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Grey-crowned Tit, Vietnamese Cutia, Black-crowned Fulvetta and Vietnamese Greenfinch can be found in the pine and montane evergreen forest here. The most sought-after species at Lang Bian however is the beautiful and skulking endemic Collared Laughingthrush. Ho Tuyen Lam is a man-made lake, just 3 km from the centre of town. At the far end of the lake there are tracks leading through pines to areas of remnant tropical evergreen forest. Burmese Shrike, Slender-billed Oriole, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Vietnamese Cutia, Red Crossbill and Vietnamese Greenfinch can be found in the pines while the evergreen forest is home to Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias and Black-crowned Parrotbill amongst others. Overnight at Dalat.
Day 10: Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City
A final morning of birding around Dalat before transferring to the airport for the short flight back to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Grand Vietnam Birding (24 Days)
In addition to the best birding sites in northern and southern Vietnam, this comprehensive 24-day tour takes in three little-visited locations in Central Vietnam that are the only accessible sites for some rare Vietnamese and Indochinese endemics. Like all these sample tours the itinerary can also be run in reverse order.
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi. Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park
Arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport and transfer directly to Cuc Phuong National Park, a three-hour drive south of Hanoi. Stop off at Van Long Nature Reserve 30 km before the entrance to Cuc Phuong in the late afternoon. Here a sampan ride through flooded rice fields leads to the dramatic limestone cliffs that are home to the largest population of one of Vietnam’s critically endangered primates, Delacour’s Langur. There are usually large numbers of waterbirds at Van Long including several species of ducks, waders, bitterns, herons and egrets as well as White-browed Crake and a raptor or two. Overnight at Cuc Phuong National Park HQ.
Days 2 & 3: Cuc Phuong National Park
The first national park to be established in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong is an area of limestone hills covered in primary rainforest. The best birding is in the centre of the park where there are several excellent trails including the Loop Trail and the Valley Trail. The main road through the park can also be very productive especially for over-wintering thrushes early in the morning. There are two full days to search for Cuc Phuong specialities such as Pied Falconet, Bar-bellied, Blue-rumped and Eared Pitta, Silver-breasted Broadbill, White-winged Magpie, White-tailed Flycatcher, Fujian Niltava and Limestone Wren-Babbler. Overnight at Cuc Phuong National Park HQ.
Day 4: Cuc Phuong National Park to Tam Dao
A full morning of birding at Cuc Phuong before heading back to Hanoi and then on to the hill station of Tam Dao. Overnight at Tam Dao.
Days 5 & 6: Tam Dao
Two full days to explore the trails above Tam Dao town leading through nice montane evergreen and bamboo forest. Specialities at Tam Dao include Purple and Green Cochoas, Chestnut Bulbul, Grey Laughingthrush, Coral-billed and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers and Greater Rufous-headed and Short-tailed Parrotbills. Winter visitors that may turn up here between December and March include Black-breasted, Japanese, Eyebrowed and Grey-backed Thrush and Fujian Niltava. Overnight at Tam Dao.
Day 7: Tam Dao to Phong Nha National Park via Hanoi & Hue
There may be time for some early birding before transferring to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport to catch the short flight to Hue, a UNSECO World Heritage Site in Central Vietnam. On arrival, transfer by road from Hue to Phong Nha National Park. Overnight at Phong Nha.
Day 8: Phong Nha National Park
A full day to explore the limestone forest of Phong Nha National Park. The main target here is the Indochinese endemic Sooty Babbler, which lives on the limestone outcrops. Siamese Fireback, Red-collared Woodpecker and Brown Hornbill are among the other specialities of Phong Nha.. Overnight at Phong Nha.
Day 9: Phong Nha National Park to Bach Ma National Park
Leave Phong Nha after breakfast for the long drive south to Bach Ma National Park. Bach Ma, where the Annamite Mountain Range meets the sea, is home to several Vietnamese and regional endemics including Annam Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Red-vented Barbet, Blyth’s Kingfisher, White-winged Magpie and Indochinese Wren Babbler, formerly known as Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler. Overnight at Bach Ma National Park HQ.
Days 10 & 11: Bach Ma National Park
Two full days of birding at Bach Ma National Park. Overnight at Bach Ma National Park HQ.
Day 12: Bach Ma National Park to Kham Duc/Lo Xo
Leaving Bach Ma National Park after breakfast it is a drive of around four hours to Kham Duc on the newly constructed Ho Chi Minh Highway. There should be time for a first visit to the Lo Xo Pass in the afternoon. Overnight at Kham Duc.
Day 13: Kham Duc/Lo Xo
A full day birding around the nearby Lo Xo Pass in search of the Black-crowned Barwing, an Indochinese endemic that was only discovered in 1996. Other specialities of the area include Brown Hornbill, White-winged Magpie, Yellow-billed Nuthatch and Red-tailed Laughingthrush. Overnight at Kham Duc.
Day 14: Kham Duc/Lo Xo to Ho Chi Minh City via Danang
After a final morning visit to the Lo Xo Pass transfer by road to Danang Airport to take the afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport transfer to a hotel for overnight. Overnight at Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat
Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport for the short flight to Dalat, a former French hill station in the Central Highlands. In the afternoon make the first of several visits to the Ta Nung Valley, a small but bird-filled area of remnant evergreen forest 10 km from Dalat. This is the most accessible site for the rare and endemic Grey-crowned Crocias. Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush as well as the recently split Black-crowned Parrotbill may also be found here. Other possibilities here include the very distinct local sub-species of Blue-winged Minla, Rufous-backed and Black-headed Sibias and Black-throated Sunbird, Jerdon’s Baza, Blue Pitta and the beautiful yellow-breasted form of Indochinese Green Magpie. Overnight at Dalat.
Days 16, 17 & 18: Dalat
In addition to the wonderful Ta Nung Valley there are two other main birding sites around Dalat - Mount Lang Bian and Ho Tuyen Lam. Mount Lang Bian, is a 2,169 m high peak 20 minutes by road from Dalat. Wintering Mugimaki Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Grey-crowned Tit, Vietnamese Cutia, Black-crowned Fulvetta and Vietnamese Greenfinch can be found in the pine and montane evergreen forest here. The most sought-after species at Lang Bian however is the beautiful and skulking endemic Collared Laughingthrush. Ho Tuyen Lam is a man-made lake, just 3 km from the centre of town. At the far end of the lake there are tracks leading through pines to areas of remnant tropical evergreen forest. Burmese Shrike, Slender-billed Oriole, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Vietnamese Cutia, Red Crossbill and Vietnamese Greenfinch can be found in the pines while the evergreen forest is home to Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias and Black-crowned Parrotbill amongst others. Overnight at Dalat.
Day 19: Dalat to Di Linh
There is time for some early morning birding around Dalat before driving to the small town of Di Linh, two hours to the south of Dalat. A good road leading to the coast branches off from Di Linh and a forested mountain pass 20 minutes along this road is home to several Dalat Plateau specialities including Black-hooded, White-cheeked Laughingthrush and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush as well as the Indochinese endemic Black-crowned Parrotbill. The afternoon is spent birding along the road returning to Di Linh for the night. Overnight at Di Linh.
Day 20: Di Linh to Cat Tien National Park
An early start to return to the mountain pass at Di Linh where other exciting possibilities include Blue and Rusty-naped Pitta, Indochinese Green Magpie, Spotted Forkail and Green Cochoa. Later in the morning continue to Cat Tien National Park, a couple of hours’ drive away. Cat Tien National Park contains the largest remaining area of lowland tropical forest in southern Vietnam and an incredible diversity of birds and mammals including over 330 bird species. Endangered birds found here include Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, Green Peafowl and the very elusive Orange-necked Partridge. Mammals that may be seen along the trails include Leopard Cat, Eurasian Wild Pig, Lesser Mousedeer, Sambar, Red Muntjac and Gaur as well as two endangered primates, Black-shanked Douc Langur and Buff-cheeked Gibbon. Overnight at Cat Tien National Park HQ.
Days 21, 22 & 23: Cat Tien National Park
A full three days of birding along the road and forest trails at Cat Tien National Park. Jeeps are used to visit areas further afield such as Crocodile Lake where Green Peafowl, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and Lesser Adjutant may be seen. The 5 km walk through the forest to Crocodile Lake is one of the best places to look for Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pitta as well as Red-and-Black and Banded Broadbill and Orange-breasted Trogon amongst others. Other specialities at Cat Tien include Scaly-breasted Partridge, Siamese Fireback, Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, White-bellied, Great Slaty, Pale-headed and Black-and-Buff Woodpecker, Red-vented Barbet, Woolly-necked Stork, and Grey-faced Tit-Babbler. Overnight at Cat Tien National Park HQ.
Day 24: Cat Tien National Park to Ho Chi Minh City. Depart Ho Chi Minh City
A final morning of birding along the forest trails or the surfaced road through Cat Tien National Park where Green-eared, Blue-eared, Lineated and Red-vented Barbet can often be seen perched high up in the roadside trees. Check out of the park guest house after lunch and drive the 150 km to Ho Chi Minh City to transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Other Vietnam birding sites
Some other birding sites that can easily be incorporated into your trip include the ones listed below. Remember this is not a comprehensive list and if there is anywhere in particular in Vietnam you are interested in visiting that is not listed below just e-mail us at info@vietnambirding.com
Yok Don National Park
Yok Don National Park, which borders north-western Cambodia, is accessible by a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Buon Ma Thuot from where it is a 50 km drive to the park. It is also possible to drive from Dalat. Yok Don’s dry dipterocarp forest has a similar avifauna to that of north-western Cambodia and offers the birder a chance to see some birds that are otherwise difficult or impossible to find at other sites in Vietnam such as Black-headed Woodpecker, Alexandrine Parakeet, White-rumped Falcon, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Rufous Treepie and Mekong Wagtail. The park has a guest house and a canteen for visitors. Recommended stay 2-3 days.
Xuan Thuy National Park
Xuan Thuy National Park is 150 km south-west of Hanoi in the coastal zone of the Red River Delta. Xuan Thuy is an internationally important wintering area for migratory waterbirds including some real rarities such as Asian Dowitcher, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Saunders’s Gull and Black-faced Spoonbill. There is small accommodation block at the national park for overnight visitors. Recommended stay 2 days.
Ba Vi National Park
Ba Vi National Park, 50 km west of Hanoi, is an area of mixed evergreen and coniferous forest. The main target for birders at Ba Vi is the Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush, once considered a subspecies of the Grey Laughingthrush but now a species in its own right. Ba Vi can be visited as day trip from Hanoi or there are several guest houses and canteens for overnight stays. Recommended stay 1-2 days.
Sapa
This former French hill resort and now popular tourist destination is located in the far north-west of Vietnam bordering China’s Yunnan Province. The town sits in the shadow of Mount Fan Si Pan, at 3,143 m asl, Vietnam’s highest peak and part of the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. The proximity to China is reflected in Sapa’s avifauna and makes it a great place to look for species that can’t be found elsewhere in Vietnam. Sapa’s star attractions include several species of Laughingthrush and Parrotbill that are difficult if not impossible to see elsewhere else in Vietnam, Sickle-billed Scimitar Babbler, Golden-breasted Fulvetta and the recently split Pale-throated Wren Babbler amongst others. Sapa is a long 380 km drive from Hanoi and is best reached by overnight train to Lao Cai. Recommended stay 3-4 days.