Reporting from Vietnam

Our Vietnam birding adventure began in Hanoi and took us across the country’s diverse landscapes. Van Long Wetland Reserve gave us our first sightings of Asian Openbills and White-throated Kingfishers, with a Delacour’s Langur bonus. 

At Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam’s oldest, we observed Green-eared Barbet, Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Tonkin Scaly-breasted Partridge, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Fujian Niltava, and Annam Limestone Babbler. 

After a productive stop at the picturesque Phong Nha National Park—famous for karst landscapes and cave systems—we finally located the elusive Sooty Babbler, as well as the very skulking Short-tailed Scimitar-Babbler.

Highlights at Sa Mu Pass in Central Vietnam included Golden Babbler, and Silver-eared Mesia.

Ngoc Linh was a tour highlight, producing stunning Golden-winged and Red-tailed Laughingthrushes, endemic Black-crowned Barwing, and Grey-headed Parrotbills.

In Mang Den, despite missing the increasingly rare Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, we saw Vietnamese Cutia and Blue-and-white Flycatcher. 

Moving westwards towards the border with Cambodia, Yok Don National Park’s dry dipterocarp forest yielded Great Slaty Woodpecker and the rare White-rumped Falcon. We then explored Da Lat Plateau and Bi Doup National Park, where a stunning Blue Pitta was seen. 

Finally, Cat Tien National Park delivered spectacular sightings including Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas, Siamese Fireback, Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, and Green Peafowl. 

From montane forests to tropical lowlands, Vietnam dazzled with its avian riches, rare endemics, and unforgettable birding moments.