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Best group size: 6
Start: Hanoi Captital
Finish: Ho Chi Minh City
Destinations: Hanoi Captital – Cuc Phuong National Park – Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park – Da Lat Plateau – Deo Nui San (Di Linh) – Cat Tien National Park – Ho Chi Minh City.
Below is a list of species that we will target on this tour - It is not an exhaustive list of species that we will look for but these are the main highlights due to them being rare, restricted ranges or the birds found only in Vietnam and some species may be more easily seen in other countries. Of course we cannot guarantee that we will see all of these birds, but we have a good chance of finding most of them based on the expeience of previous tours by VietBird Ltd.

A male of Bar-bellied Pitta (Hydrornis elliotii) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

A male of Bar-bellied Pitta (Hydrornis elliotii) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Blue Pitta (Hydrornis cyaneus) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Blue Pitta (Hydrornis cyaneus) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Blue-rumped Pitta (Hydrornis soror) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Blue-rumped Pitta (Hydrornis soror) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Blue-rumped Pitta (Hydrornis soror) at Cuc Phuong Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Rusty-naped Pitta (Hydrornis oatesi) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Rusty-naped Pitta (Hydrornis oatesi) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Blue-naped Pitta (Hydrornis nipalensis) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Blue-naped Pitta (Hydrornis nipalensis) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Siamese Fireback (Lophura diardi) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus) at Cat Tien Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Green-legged Partridge (Tropicoperdix chloropus) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Tonkin Partridge (Arborophila tonkinensis) at Cuc Phuong Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Germain's Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron germaini) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Oriental Dwarf-Kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Indochinese Barbet or Annam Barbet (Psilopogon annamensis) at Da Lat Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Long-tailed Broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae) at Di Linh Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Silver-breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Dalat Shrike-Babbler (Pteruthius annamensis) at Da Lat Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Black-eared shrike-babbler (Pteruthius melanotis) at Mu Cang Chai Birding Trails. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

White-bellied Erpornis (Erpornis zantholeuca) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Burmese Shrike (Lanius collurioides) at Da Lat Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Indochinese Green-Magpie (Cissa hypoleuca) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Grey treepie (Dendrocitta formosae) at Phia Oac-Phia De Birding Trails. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail (Chelidorhynx hypoxanthus) at Mu Cang Chai Birding Trails. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Langbian Tit (Parus (monticolus) legendrei) at Da Lat Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Pygmy Cupwing (Pnoepyga pusilla) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Black-crested Bulbul (Rubigula flaviventris) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Stripe-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus finlaysoni) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Ochraceous Bulbul (Alophoixus ochraceus) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Gray-eyed Bulbul (Iole propinqua) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Ashy Bulbu or Brown-backed Bulbul (Hemixos (flavala) remotus) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Gray-bellied Tesia (Tesia cyaniventer) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Slaty-bellied Tesia (Tesia olivea) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Chestnut-headed Tesia (Cettia castaneocoronata) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Chinese Golden-breasted Fulvetta (Lioparus chrysotis) at Mu Cang Chai Birding Trails. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Spot-breasted Parrotbill (Paradoxornis guttaticollis) at Mu Cang Chai Birding Trails. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Black-headed Parrotbill (Psittiparus margaritae) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Golden Parrotbill (Suthora verreauxi) at Mu Cang Chai Birding Trails. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Whiskered yuhina (Yuhina flavicollis) at Phia Oac-Phia De Birding Trails. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Stripe-throated Yuhina (Yuhina gularis) at Mu Cang Chai Birding Trails. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus ferruginosus) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus ruficollis) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

White-browed Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus schisticeps) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Spot-necked Babbler (Stachyris strialata) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Black-crowned Fulvetta (Schoeniparus klossi) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Rufous-throated Fulvetta (Schoeniparus rufogularis) at Cuc Phuong Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Puff-throated Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Buff-breasted Babbler (Pellorneum tickelli) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Abbott's Babbler (Malacocincla abbotti) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler (Napothera epilepidota) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Indochinese Wren Babbler (Napothera danjoui) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Collared Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron yersini) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Silver-eared Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron melanostigma) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Chestnut-tailed Minla or Bar-throated Minla (Chrysominla strigula) at Mu Cang Chai Birding Trails. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (Garrulax annamensis) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Black-hooded Laughingthrush (Garrulax milleti) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

White-cheeked Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus vassali) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch (Sitta nagaensis) at Da Lat Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Siberian Thrush (Geokichla sibirica) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Japanese Thrush (Turdus cardis) at Cuc Phuong Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

White-rumped Shama (Kittacincla malabarica) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

White-gorgeted Flycatcher (Anthipes monileger) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Rufous-browed Flycatcher (Anthipes solitaris) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

White-tailed Flycatcher (Cyornis concretus) at Cuc Phuong Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Hainan Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis hainanus) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

A male of Indochinese Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis sumatrensis) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

A female of Indochinese Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis sumatrensis) at Cat Tien Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Large Niltava (Niltava grandis) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Fujian Niltava (Niltava davidi) at Cuc Phuong Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassinus) at Da Lat Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Langbian Lesser Shortwing (Brachypteryx (leucophris) langbianensis) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Rufous-tailed Robin (Larvivora sibilans) at Cuc Phuong Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Spotted Forktail (Enicurus maculatus) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

White-tailed Robin (Myiomela leucura) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Snowy-browed Flycatcher (Ficedula hyperythra) at Da Lat Bird Hides. Photo by: Phuc Le

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher (Ficedula strophiata) at Phia Oac-Phia Den Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

White-throated Rock-Thrush (Monticola gularis) at Di Linh Bird Hides. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Langbian Sunbird (Aethopyga (saturata) johnsi) at Da Lat Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Annam Sunbird (Aethopyga (gouldiae) annamensis) at Da Lat Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Green-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis) at Mu Cang Chai Birding Trails. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Streaked Spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna) at Di Linh Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Vietnamese Greenfinch (Chloris monguilloti) at Da Lat Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le

Vietnamese Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) at Da Lat Birding Trails. Photo by: Phuc Le
Welcome to VietBird Ltd! We'll meet and welcome by Noi Bai airport or your hotel in Hanoi Capital. You will be transferred to Cuc Phuong National park for our first target of Vietnam‘s pittas. We will arrive in time for some initial exploration this wonderful park and have a welcome dinner in the evening. Night at Cuc Phuong.
We will have a full day for our main Pittas target will be the stunning "Bar-bellied Pitta" and "Blue-rumped Pitta". If we are really lucky we will have a chance to get the most rare "Eared Pitta". We will try our luck on some other beautiful species in this park including the endemic subspecies "Tonkin Partridge", "Limestone Wren Babbler" and "Fork-tailed Sunbird".
Pittas target: Bar-bellied Pitta and Blue-rumped Pitta.
Other birds expected: Tonkin Partridge (Endemic - Subspecies), Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Siberian Thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Japanese Thrush, White-tailed Flycatcher, Fujian Niltava, Rufous-tailed Robin, Pied Falconet, Sultan Tit, Greyish Limestone-babbler, Fork-tailed Sunbird, bulbuls, flycatchers, warblers,…and more.
After an early morning birding at Cuc Phuong National Park, we will depart for the long drive to Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, located in Cao Bang province for our next target of Vietnam‘s pittas. Night at Cao Bang.
We will have two full days in this excellent birding site for the rare and shy "Blue-naped Pitta", one of the most difficult targets of this trip. If time permits we will try our luck on some other beautiful species in this park "Grey Laughingthrush", "Silver-eared Laughingthrush", tesias, parrotbills,...Nights at Cao Bang.
Pittas target: Blue-naped Pitta
Other birds expected: Gray-bellied Tesia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Spot-necked Babbler, Tonkin Streaked Wren-babbler (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler, Silver-eared Laughingthrush, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Fujian Niltava, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Western Grey Treepie, Chestnut Bulbul, Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Short-tailed Parrotbill, Golden Parrotbill, Whiskered Yuhina, Gray Laughingthrush, Russet Sparrow,…and more.
After some final birding at Phi Oac-Phia Den National Park before going to Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport for a domestic flight to Da Lat City for our next target of Vietnam‘s pittas. Night at Da Lat City.
We will have two full days to explore the excellent birding sites and bird-hides in Da Lat Plateau for our main target will be the rare "Rusty-naped Pitta". If time permits we will try our luck on some other beautiful species in Da Lat including Dalat Shrike-babbler (endemic), Collared Laughingthrush (endemic), Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (endemic), Black-crowned Fulvetta (endemic), Vietnamese Greenfinch (endemic), Vietnamese Cutia (near-endmeic) and other specialties. Nights at Da Lat City.
Pittas target: Rusty-naped Pitta
Other birds expected: Pygmy Cupwing, Gray-bellied Tesia, White-browed Scimitar-Babbler, Black-crowned Fulvetta (Endemic), Indochinese Wren Babbler (Near Endemic), Collared Laughingthrush (Endemic), Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (Endemic), White-cheeked Laughingthrush (Near Endemic), Siberian Thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Langbian Lesser Shortwing (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Spotted Forktail, White-tailed Robin, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Indochinese Barbet (Near Endemic), Dalat Shrike-Babbler (Endemic), Slender-billed Oriole, Burmese Shrike, Langbian Tit (Endemic - Subspecies), Vietnamese Cutia (Endemic), Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Verditer Flycatcher, Langbian Sunbird (Endemic - Subspecies), Annam Sunbird (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Streaked Spiderhunter, Vietnamese Greenfinch (Endemic), Red Crossbill,…and more.
Day 9: Da Lat Plateau – Deo Nui San (Di Linh)
After some final birding at Da Lat this morning, we will drive to Di Linh for our next target of Vietnam‘s pittas. In the afternoon we will start the exploration of the Deo Nui San area. Night at Di Linh town.
Day 10: Deo Nui San (Di Linh)
Today we will have a full day birding at Deo Nui San, a pass surrounded by impressive forested hills. Our main Pittas target will be the stunning "Blue Pitta", one of the most beautiful birds of Vietnam and the shy "Blue-rumped Pitta". If time permits we will try our luck on some other beautiful species in this area including Indochinese Green-magpie, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Long-tailed Broadbill and Silver-breasted Broadbill. Night at Di Linh town.
Pittas target: Blue Pitta and Blue-rumped Pitta
Other birds expected: Silver-breasted Broadbill, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Green-Magpie, Ochraceous Bulbul, Brown-backed Bulbul (Near Endemic - Subspecies), Black-headed Parrotbill (Near Endemic), White-browed Scimitar-Babbler, Buff-breasted Babbler, Black-hooded Laughingthrush (Near Endemic), Siberian Thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, White-throated Rock-Thrush, Long-tailed Broadbill, Langbian Sunbird (Endemic - Subspecies), Streaked Spiderhunter,…and more.
Day 11: Deo Nui San (Di Linh) – Cat Tien National Park
After some final birding at Deo Nui San before driving to Cat Tien National Park, the largest remaining lowland rainforest in Vietnam. We will arrive in time to begin our exploration of this wonderful park. Night at Cat Tien.
Day 12-13: Cat Tien National Park
We will have two full days in this wonderful park. We have a opportunity to admire again the beauty of the two target of Vietnam‘s pittas, "Bar-bellied Pitta" and "Blue-rumped Pitta". If time permits we will try our luck on some other beautiful species in this park including Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Germain's Peacock Pheasant, Siamese Fireback and the rare Orange-necked Partridge (near-endemic). Nights at Cat Tien.
Pittas target: Bar-bellied Pitta and Blue-rumped Pitta.
Other birds expected: Siamese Fireback, Green-legged Partridge, Germain's Peacock-Pheasant (Near Endemic), Oriental Dwarf-Kingfisher, Blue-rumped Pitta (Near Endemic), Bar-bellied Pitta (Near Endemic), Black-crested Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Gray-eyed Bulbul, Puff-throated Babbler, Buff-breasted Babbler, Abbott's Babbler, White-rumped Shama, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Indochinese Blue Flycatcher (split from Tickell's Blue Flycatcher), Green Peafowl, Orange-breasted Trogon, Banded Kingfisher, Dusky Broadbill, Black-and-red Broadbill, Banded Broadbill, woodpeckers, sunbirds,…and more.
Day 14: Cat Tien National Park – Ho Chi Minh City
After some final birding at Cat Tien National Park before going to Tan Son Nhat airport, Ho Chi Minh City for departure flights.
Leeches do occur in some of the reserves and encountering them really depends on how much recent rain there has been. If you do have leach socks, it might therefore be a good idea to bring them along.
Physical difficulty: Mostly easy walking along tracks, roads, and trails, but there will be a few inclined sections in the mountains.
Habitats Covered: Broadleaved evergreen forest, Evergreen forest, Secondary forest, Dry dipterocarp forest, Wetland, Rice field, Mountain forest, Pine forest, Bamboo forest, Shoreline.
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel and Guesthouse at the Parks. All accommodations have hot water, free Wi-Fi and most have air-conditioning.
Climate: Temperatures typically vary between 20°C-25°C (68-77°F). At higher altitudes we may encounter some small rain at times and colder temperatures 10°C- 20°C (50-68°F).