Birdwatching Tour - Best of Vietnam (30-days)

 Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – Arrival

Welcome to VietBird Ltd! We'll meet and welcome by Tan Son Nhat airport, Ho Chi Minh City. You will be transferred to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure. We will have a welcome dinner in the evening. Night at HCM city.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City – Go Cong (Tan Thanh beach)

Today we will make an early start to Go Cong (Tan Thanh beach), this site is an important roosting site for many migratory shorebirds on the East Asian Flyway. Timing is critical here and we need to be there at low tide when the birds are feeding on the mudflats. Our main target species will be the critically endangered "Spoon-billed Sandpiper". This is never guaranteed but there is a chance that they will still be around at this location. There is also good chance for the rare and endangered "Nordmann’s Greenshank" and recently recognised taxa "White- faced Plover" which the IOC is about to split so that it becomes a full species. Night at Go Cong town.

Expected birds in Go Cong: White-faced Plover, Far Eastern Curlew, Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Great Knot, Red Knot, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher, Nordmann's Greenshank, Spot-billed Pelican, Chinese Egret,…and more.

Day 3: Go Cong (Tan Thanh beach) – Cat Tien National Park

After some final birding at Go Cong before driving to Cat Tien National Park, the largest remaining lowland rainforest in Vietnam, and one of the best birding destinations in the country, and harbours an incredible diversity of wildlife, including over 350 bird species has been recorded. We will arrive in time to begin our exploration of this wonderful park. Night at Cat Tien.

Day 4, 5: Cat Tien National Park

We will spend two full days birding in this wonderful park, birding along the network of tracks, forest trails in the Cat Tien National Park. We hope to see the endangered species and Indochinese endemics, such as Germain's Peacock Pheasant, Blue-rumped Pitta, Bar-bellied Pitta, Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Black-and-buff Woodpecker, Grey-faced Tit Babbler and the most rare "Orange-necked Partridge". We also have chance to see the most especially "Black-shanked Douc Langur", one of the most colourful and least known primates in Asia, the rare "Annamese Langur" and "Buff-cheeked Gibbon". Nights at Cat Tien.

Expected birds in Cat Tien: Orange-necked Partridge (Near Endemic), Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl, Germain's Peacock-Pheasant (Near Endemic), Indochinese Frogmouth, Great Eared-Nightjar, Woolly-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Gray-headed Fish-Eagle, Orange-breasted Trogon, Great Hornbill, Banded Kingfisher, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Black-and-buff Woodpecker, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Collared Falconet, Dusky Broadbill, Black-and-red Broadbill, Banded Broadbill, Blue-rumped Pitta (Near Endemic), Bar-bellied Pitta (Near Endemic), Gray-faced Tit-Babbler (Near Endemic), Indochinese Babbler (Near Endemic - Subspecies),...and more.

Day 6: Cat Tien National Park – Deo Nui San (Di Linh)

After some final birding at Cat Tien we will drive north to Di Linh. In the afternoon we will start the exploration of the Deo Nui San area. During our journey to Deo Nui San, we will check any of the paddies lining the road for migrant shorebirds, bee-eaters, mynas,…Night at Di Linh town.

Day 7: Deo Nui San (Di Linh)

Today we will have a full day birding at Deo Nui San, a pass surrounded by impressive forested hills, this is the most reliable site to see many specialties including the endemic "Orange-breasted Laughingthrush", the near-endemic Black-headed Parrotbill, Red-vented Barbet, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, White-cheeked Laughingthrush and the endemic-subspecies "Annam Streaked Wren-babbler". Night at Di Linh town.

Expected birds in Deo Nui San: Bar-backed Partridge, Yellow-vented Green-Pigeon (Near Endemic), Hodgson's Frogmouth, Red-headed Trogon, Red-vented Barbet (Near Endemic), Long-tailed Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Blue Pitta, Indochinese Green-Magpie, Brown-backed Bulbul (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Grey-crowned Tit, Black-headed Parrotbill (Near Endemic), Black-chinned Yuhina, Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Collared Babbler, Annam Streaked Wren-babbler (Endemic - Subspecies), Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (Endemic), Black-hooded Laughingthrush (Near Endemic), White-cheeked Laughingthrush (Near Endemic), Langbian Sunbird (Endemic - Subspecies),…and more.

Day 8: Deo Nui San (Di Linh) – Da Lat Plateau

After some finall birding at Deo Nui San this morning, we will drive to Da Lat Plateau for a four nights stay. We will arrive in time to begin our exploration Da Lat, the place with the largest number of endemic species and specialities of Vietnam. Night at Da Lat City.

Day 9, 10, 11: Da Lat Plateau

We will have three full days to explore the excellent birding sites around Da Lat such as Ta Nung Valley, Suoi Tia trail, Tuyen Lam Lake, Langbian Mountain and Bi Doup National Park. This is definitely our best chance for 8 Vietnam endemic species including Vietnamese Cutia, Gray-crowned Crocias, Collared Laughingthrush, Vietnamese Greenfinch, Dalat Shrike-Babbler, Annam Prinia, Dalat Bush Warbler, Black-crowned Fulvetta and many near-endemic species and subspecies can be found in the Dalat area. Nights at Da Lat City.

Expected birds in Dalat: Necklaced Barbet (Near Endemic), Indochinese Barbet (Near Endemic), Rusty-naped Pitta, Annam Minivet (Endemic - Subspecies), Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Dalat Shrike-Babbler (Endemic), Slender-billed Oriole, White-faced Jay, Yellow-crowned Green Magpie (Endemic - Subspecies), Langbian Tit (Endemic - Subspecies), Annam Prinia (Endemic), Dalat Bush Warbler (Endemic), Gray-bellied Tesia, Black-crowned Fulvetta (Endemic), Indochinese Wren Babbler (Near Endemic), Vietnamese Cutia (Endemic), Gray-crowned Crocias (Endemic), Collared Laughingthrush (Endemic), White-spectacled Sibia (Endemic - Subspecies), Plain Minla (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Hume's Treecreeper, Langbian Lesser Shortwing (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Spotted Forktail, Annam Sunbird (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Vietnamese Greenfinch (Endemic), Red Crossbill,…and more.

Day 12: Da Lat Plateau – Yokdon National Park

After some final birding, we will leave Da Lat mid-morning for the long drive to Yokdon, is one of the most unique places in the country with the avifauna here is typical of the deciduous dipterocarp woodlands that are found in certain parts of Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia. Night at Yokdon.

Day 13: Yokdon National Park

Today we will have a full day birding Yokdon National Park. We hope to see the endemic "Annam Prinia" and other specialties here include Burmese Nuthatch, White-rumped (Pygmy) Falcon, Collared Falconet, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Yellow-footed Green-pigeon, and several woodpeckers, owls, raptors, minivets…Night at Yokdon.

Expected birds in Yokdon: Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon, Crested Treeswift, Woolly-necked Stork, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Streak-throated Woodpecker, Black-headed Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, White-bellied Woodpecker, White-rumped (Pygmy) Falcon, Collared Falconet, Gray-headed Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet, Vernal Hanging-Parrot, Small Minivet, White-browed Fantail, Rufous Treepie, Annam Prinia (Endemic), Burmese Nuthatch, Purple Sunbird,…and more.

Day 14: Yokdon – Mang Den (Mang Canh forest)

After some final birding, we will leave Yokdon mid-morning for the drive to Mang Den, where the shy endemic "Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush", discovered in 1999 and seen by only a handful of birders, will be our main target species. Night at Mang Den town.

Day 15: Mang Den (Mang Canh forest)

We will have a full day to explore two birding sites above Mang Den town, Mang Canh forest and Pa Sy waterfall for our main target "Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush" and many other eye-catching specialties such as the near-endemic "Yellow-billed Nuthatch", the rare and shy "White-winged Magpie" and the cute "Grey-headed Parrotbill". Night at Mang Den.

Expected birds in Mang Den: Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, White-winged Magpie, Indochinese Green-Magpie, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Annam Sultan Tit (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Rufous-faced Warbler, Gray-headed Parrotbill, Black-hooded Laughingthrush (Near Endemic), Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush (Endemic), Yellow-billed Nuthatch (Near Endemic), Green-tailed Sunbird,…and more.

Day 16: Mang Den (Mang Canh forest) – Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve

After some final birding at Mang Den we will drive to Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve. During our journey to Ngoc Linh, we will check any of the paddies lining the road for migrant shorebirds, swallows, mynas,…Night at Tu Mo Rong town.

Day 17: Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve

Early breakfast at Tu Mo Rong and take simple picnic lunch then going to Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, where we hope to see two new bird species to science "Golden-winged Laughingthrush" and "Black-crowned Barwing",  were described as recently as the 1990s. We also have chance to see the  incredible Indochinese specialties such as "Indochinese Fulvetta", "Annam Golden-breasted Fulvetta" and the beautiful "Red-tailed Laughingthrush". Night at Tu Mo Rong town.

Expected birds in Ngoc Linh: Annam Golden-breasted Fulvetta (Endemic - Subspecies), Indochinese Fulvetta (Near Endemic), Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Rusty-capped Fulvetta, Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Golden-winged Laughingthrush (Endemic), Brownish-backed Sibia (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Black-crowned Barwing (Near Endemic), Red-tailed Minla, Ferruginous Flycatcher,...and more.

Day 18: Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve – Bach Ma National Park

After breakfast depart Tu Mo Rong, heading to the coast to arrive at Bach Ma National Park in the early afternoon for some exploration this park. We hope to see the specialties here include Indochinese Wren-babbler, Indochinese Green Magpie, Annam Sultan Tit, Masked Laughingthrush and the fantastic "Silver Pheasant".  We also have chance to see the stunning primate "Red-shanked Douc Langur". Night at Bach Ma.

Expected birds in Bach Ma: Silver Pheasant, Hodgson's Frogmouth, Red-headed Trogon, Long-tailed Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Blyth's Shrike-Babbler, White-winged Magpie, Indochinese Green-Magpie, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Annam Sultan Tit (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Indochinese Yuhina, Indochinese Wren Babbler (Near Endemic), Silver-eared Mesia, Black-throated Laughingthrush, Masked Laughingthrush, Fork-tailed Sunbird,...and more.

Day 19: Bach Ma National Park to Khe Sanh town

We will spend most of the morning in Bach Ma National Park before driving north to Khe Sanh. Night at Khe Sanh town.

Day 20: Khe Sanh town – Sa Mua Pass – Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Today we will make an early start to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. We will stop along the way to explore Sa Mu Pass, the long-winding road along the Laos border passes through some nice areas of forest, where we can see the rare "Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush". We will arrive in time for some initial exploration in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Night at Phong Nha.

Day 21: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

We will have a full day birding at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, dominated by limestone karst landscapes with a mix of limestone forest and lowland evergreen forest, where supports over 200 species of birds. This park is a UNESCO World Heratige site in central Vietnam. Our main targets will be "Sooty Babbler", the near-endemic "Limestone Leaf Warbler" and the rare "Red-collared Woodpecker". We also have chance to see the scarce endemic primate "Ha Tinh Langur". Night at Phong Nha.

Expected birds in Phong Nha: Red-collared Woodpecker (Near Endemic), Blyth's Shrike-Babbler, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Common Sultan Tit, Limestone Leaf Warbler (Near Endemic), Large Scimitar-Babbler, Sooty Babbler (Near Endemic), Tonkin Streaked Wren-babbler (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Black-browed Fulvetta, Black-throated Laughingthrush,...and more.

Day 22: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – Cuc Phuong National Park

After an early morning birding at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, we will depart for the long drive north to Cuc Phuong National Park, the first national park to be established in Vietnam. The majority of the park is an area of limestone hills covered in primary rainforest with over 320 bird species recorded. Night at Cuc Phuong.

Day 23, 24: Cuc Phuong National Park

We will have two full days to explore this beautiful, unique and fascinating park. Our explorations of the various trails through the national park will provide chances of some very exciting and special birds indeed such as Bar-bellied Pitta, Blue-rumped Pitta, Greyish Limestone-babbler, Red-collared Woodpecker, White-winged Magpie, Tonkin Partridge and Pied Falconet. Nights at Cuc Phuong.

Expected birds in Cuc Phuong: Tonkin Partridge (Endemic - Subspecies), Red-vented Barbet (Near Endemic), Red-collared Woodpecker (Near Endemic), Pied Falconet, Blue-rumped Pitta (Near Endemic), Bar-bellied Pitta (Near Endemic), White-winged Magpie, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Tonkin Streaked Wren-babbler (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Greyish Limestone-babbler, White's Thrush, Scaly Thrush, Siberian Thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Chinese Blackbird, Japanese Thrush, Gray-backed Thrush, Black-breasted Thrush, White-tailed Flycatcher, Fujian Niltava,…and more.

Day 25: Cuc Phuong National Park – Van Long Nature Reserve – Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park

Today we will depart Cuc Phuong in the early morning and visiting Van Long Nature Reserve, an extensive marshy area near Cuc Phuong. Here we will take a sampan to the dramatic limestone cliffs that home to the Vietnam’s endemic and Critical endangered primate "Delacour Langur". We also can see several waders, herons, bitterns in this area. After some birding in Van Long, we will take a long drive to Cao Bang. Night at Cao Bang.

Day 26, 27: Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park

We will have two full days to explore Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park (located in Cao Bang province), this is a new birding site that VietBird Ltd recently discovered that gives us a great opportunity to see the rare and shy "Blue-naped Pitta". We also have a great chance to see many other eye-catching specialties such as the near-endemic Pale-throated Wren Babbler, Grey Laughingthrush, Silver-eared Laughing thrush and the cute Short-tailed Parrotbill. Night at Cao Bang.

Expected birds in Phia Oac-Phia Den: Blue-naped Pitta, Eastern Grey Treepie, Collared Crow, Chestnut Bulbul, Gray-bellied Tesia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Short-tailed Parrotbill, Golden Parrotbill, Pale-throated Wren-Babbler (Near Endemic), Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Spot-necked Babbler, Tonkin Streaked Wren-babbler (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Silver-eared Laughingthrush, Gray Laughingthrush, White-gorgeted Flycatcher,…and more.

Day 28: Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park – Mu Cang Chai (Che Tao forest)

Today we will depart Cao Bang in the early morning and take a long drive to Mu Cang Chai (Che Tao forest), another new birding site that VietBird Ltd recently discovered to add to this unique itinerary. During our journey to Mu Cang Chai, we will take some stopping off  for birds and wonderful landscapes of Northwest Vietnam. Night at Mu Cang Chai town.

Day 29: Mu Cang Chai (Che Tao forest)

We will have a full day to explore this new birding site. Our main target is the extremely rare "White-throated Wren-Babbler". There is also good chance for other specialties include the near-endemic Pale-throated Wren Babbler, Spectacled Barwing and Golden Parrotbill. Night at Mu Cang Chai town.

Expected birds in Mu Cang Chai: Crested Finchbill, Collared Finchbill, Striated Bulbul, Chinese Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Golden Parrotbill, White-collared Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Pale-throated Wren-Babbler (Near Endemic), Black-streaked Scimitar-Babbler, White-throated Wren-Babbler (Endemic), Spectacled Barwing, Himalayan Shortwing, Red Avadavat, Crested Bunting,…and more.

Day 30: Mu Cang Chai – Ha Noi’s Noi Bai airport (Departure flight)

After some final birding at Mu Cang Chai  before going to Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport for departure flights.