Vietnam

Vietnam is home to some of the most spectacular birds in Southeast Asia. Many colorful beauties are found here, including this gorgeous Blue Pitta...
Vietnam is home to some of the most spectacular birds in Southeast Asia. Many colorful beauties are found here, including this gorgeous Blue Pitta...
...and many of them are endemic to Vietnam, including this wonderful Collared Laughingthrush.
...and many of them are endemic to Vietnam, including this wonderful Collared Laughingthrush.
It's also a fantastic country for breathtaking pheasants. Here, the Siamese Fireback...
It's also a fantastic country for breathtaking pheasants. Here, the Siamese Fireback...
...and the more subtle, but even more secretive, Germain's Peacock-Pheasant.
...and the more subtle, but even more secretive, Germain's Peacock-Pheasant.
And then there are some more that are more cryptic… Here a Rufous-tailed Robin...
And then there are some more that are more cryptic… Here a Rufous-tailed Robin...
...and here, the migratory Japanese Thrush.
...and here, the migratory Japanese Thrush.
We start our tour in the north. For those arriving a little early, they can enjoy some charming scenes, food and hospitality of the northern capital, Hanoi.
We start our tour in the north. For those arriving a little early, they can enjoy some charming scenes, food and hospitality of the northern capital, Hanoi.
We'll visit Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam's oldest national park, not far from Hanoi.
We'll visit Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam's oldest national park, not far from Hanoi.
The scenery in the north is often breathtaking...
The scenery in the north is often breathtaking...
...here we explore the limestone karsts...
...here we explore the limestone karsts...
...which is the last stronghold of the rare and beautiful Delacour's Langur.
...which is the last stronghold of the rare and beautiful Delacour's Langur.
As well, there are many waterbirds, such as this Asian Openbill stork.
As well, there are many waterbirds, such as this Asian Openbill stork.
Moving to Central Vietnam, we'll visit Phong Nha National Park.
Moving to Central Vietnam, we'll visit Phong Nha National Park.
This beautiful reserve...
This beautiful reserve...
...is famous amongst birders for the recently discovered and charming Sooty Babbler, a bird with a very restricted range...
...is famous amongst birders for the recently discovered and charming Sooty Babbler, a bird with a very restricted range...
...and even more for its incredible cave systems, the largest in the world.
...and even more for its incredible cave systems, the largest in the world.
Venturing into the drier zones, we may encounter a different suite of birds, with luck the scarce White-rumped Falcon.
Venturing into the drier zones, we may encounter a different suite of birds, with luck the scarce White-rumped Falcon.
As we bird our way southwards...
As we bird our way southwards...
...we'll find there's never a dull moment! Here, the striking Black-hooded Laughingthrush...
...we'll find there's never a dull moment! Here, the striking Black-hooded Laughingthrush...
The stunning Indochinese Green Magpie is restricted to central Vietnam.
The stunning Indochinese Green Magpie is restricted to central Vietnam.
This male Large Niltava is more subtly gorgeous.
This male Large Niltava is more subtly gorgeous.
Some strategically placed hides will allow  us views of some shy beauties, such as this Slaty-backed Forktail...
Some strategically placed hides will allow us views of some shy beauties, such as this Slaty-backed Forktail...
...or this Blue-rumped Pitta.
...or this Blue-rumped Pitta.
Vietnam is known for its diversity of laughingthrushes, many of them endemic, including the very secretive Orange-breasted Laughingthrush.
Vietnam is known for its diversity of laughingthrushes, many of them endemic, including the very secretive Orange-breasted Laughingthrush.
Vietnam is a great adventure! Here we make the short river crossing to Cat Tien National Park in the south.
Vietnam is a great adventure! Here we make the short river crossing to Cat Tien National Park in the south.
At Cat Tien we will make use of hides, which are great for Siamese Fireback...
At Cat Tien we will make use of hides, which are great for Siamese Fireback...
...and the ground dwelling bejewelled Bar-bellied Pitta.
...and the ground dwelling bejewelled Bar-bellied Pitta.
Migratory Blue-winged Pittas can often be found...
Migratory Blue-winged Pittas can often be found...
...and we'll have more chances to track down another pitta - Blue-rumped Pitta.
...and we'll have more chances to track down another pitta - Blue-rumped Pitta.
We often encounter so many  exciting birds. Here a Green-billed Malkoha...
We often encounter so many exciting birds. Here a Green-billed Malkoha...
...some more widespread from the region, here a Common Tailorbird...
...some more widespread from the region, here a Common Tailorbird...
...and we will always be on the look out for other creatures, such as this Hampton's Slug-eating Snake...
...and we will always be on the look out for other creatures, such as this Hampton's Slug-eating Snake...
...or this charming Buff-cheeked Gibbon...
...or this charming Buff-cheeked Gibbon...
...and some other intriguing mammals, like this Northern Treeshrew.
...and some other intriguing mammals, like this Northern Treeshrew.
And there are some breathtaking insects - elegant butterflies…
And there are some breathtaking insects - elegant butterflies…
...of many different types...
...of many different types...
...and this little forest jewel, a tiger beetle.
...and this little forest jewel, a tiger beetle.
The hides in Vietnam are five star!
The hides in Vietnam are five star!
At the end of the day, we'll relax with...
At the end of the day, we'll relax with...
...some amazing meals! Vietnamese cuisine is famous throughout the world.
...some amazing meals! Vietnamese cuisine is famous throughout the world.
And around every corner we'll get glimpses of Vietnam's rural life...
And around every corner we'll get glimpses of Vietnam's rural life...
...and culture...
...and culture...
On our journey we may get to try the world's most notorious fruit - the wonderful Durian!
On our journey we may get to try the world's most notorious fruit - the wonderful Durian!
On our birding adventures, we'll certainly meet some of the friendly local people...
On our birding adventures, we'll certainly meet some of the friendly local people...
We will see many examples of the legacy of the French occupation, including this Catholic cathedral.
We will see many examples of the legacy of the French occupation, including this Catholic cathedral.
Mealtimes are always fun on WINGS tour. Here's our after birding dinner party
Mealtimes are always fun on WINGS tour. Here's our after birding dinner party
Birding in Vietnam is unforgettable...
Birding in Vietnam is unforgettable...
There is vibrant culture. As we travel we will stop for breaks en route to enjoy Vietnam's lively cafe culture.
There is vibrant culture. As we travel we will stop for breaks en route to enjoy Vietnam's lively cafe culture.
There is fascinating culture.
There is fascinating culture.
that will certainly leave a lasting impression.
that will certainly leave a lasting impression.
As, of course, will the birds. Let's leave with this Green-legged Partridge...
As, of course, will the birds. Let's leave with this Green-legged Partridge...
...and Blue Whistling-thrush...
...and Blue Whistling-thrush...
...Snowy-browed Flycatcher...
...Snowy-browed Flycatcher...
...and the lovely White-browed Scimitar-Babbler. See you in Vietnam!
...and the lovely White-browed Scimitar-Babbler. See you in Vietnam!
Photo credit: Susan Myers
2025 Tour Price
$7,050
2025
Single Room Supplement $780
2026
Tour Price to be Determined
Maximum group size eight with one leader and a local guide.
Tour balances paid by check/bank transfer may carry a 4% discount

Stretching a thousand miles down the east coast of Southeast Asia, Vietnam supports a vast array of habitats. Between the mighty deltas of the Red River in the north and the Mekong in the south are endless beaches, fertile plains, lush rainforests, and high plateaus with rhododendron-covered peaks rising to over 9,000 feet.It’s no wonder that Vietnam is home to over 850 species of birds, among them more endemics than any other country in mainland Southeast Asia. By visiting both the north and the south we’ll see a great variety of Vietnam’s distinctive birdlife, which combines influences from the Himalayas, the Palearctic, and Malaysia, including a large number of Indochinese specialties that are difficult to find elsewhere in the regionWith the ravages of the past well and truly behind it, Vietnam has emerged as one of Asia’s thriving economies and one of its most popular tourist destinations. It has an infrastructure to match this popularity, and we’re assured of a warm welcome everywhere we travel in this fascinating country.

NOTE: The 2026 departure will be 19 days long, and cover South and Central Vietnam with an optional extension to the North. A corresponding itinerary is forthcoming.

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Tour Notes

Maximum group size eight with one leader and a local guide.

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