ULTIMATE VIETNAM TOUR REPORT 2026

2 - 26 March 2026

Dani Balla

With the most numerous endemic species and several near-endemics in South-east Asia, Vietnam has a lot to offer for birders to visit. Birdquest’s Ultimate Vietnam tour is visiting all important birding hotspots stretching from south, up to the northern edge of the country. Starting in Cat Tien which is one of the largest intact lowland rainforests remaining in the area and finishing at Mount Fansipan, the highest peak of Indochina on the extension, a great set of habitats and regions are visited during this 25 days long birding tour.

This year we did great again and recorded a total of 442 bird species with some additional local forms to be also mentioned and 24 mammal species including some of the best-looking primates.

In the southern regions we saw Nordmann’s Greenshank, Great Knot, Plain-backed Sparrow and many others at the coast in the Mekong Delta. In Cat Tien’s old forest, we found Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Green Peafowl, Green-legged and Orange-necked Partridge, Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas, Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Scaly-crowned, Abbot’s, Buff-breasted and Puff-throated Babblers, Grey-faced Tit-Babbler, Indochinese Blue Flycatcher, Pale-headed and Black-and-buff Woodpeckers, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Golden-crested Myna, Van Hasselt’s Sunbird and many more. On the Langbiang Plateau around Dalat we connected with Vietnamese Cutia, Grey-crowned Crocias, Indochinese and Necklaced Barbets, Swinhoe’s Minivet, Indochinese Green Magpie, Short-tailed and Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Vietnamese Greenfinch, Black-headed Parrotbill, Slender-billed Oriole, Dark-sided Thrush, Dalat Bush Warbler, White-cheeked and Collared Laughingthrush etc.

In the central parts of Vietnam we visited Mang Den area, Ngoc Linh mountain, the Sa Mu pass region, the karst formations of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and Cuc Phuong National Park seeing a great diversity of habitats and collecting Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo, Red-vented Barbet, Red-collared Woodpecker, Pied Falconet, Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, White-winged Magpie, Annam Prinia, Limestone Leaf Warbler, Indochinese Fulvetta, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Indochinese Yuhina, Brown-crowned Scimitar Babbler, the odd looking Sooty Babbler, Rufous-throated and Rusty-capped Fulvetta, Annam Limestone Babbler, Red-tailed, Black-hooded, Masked, Black-throated and Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush, Black-crowned Barwing, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Fork-tailed Sunbird, a poor Pin-tailed Parrotfinch and Oriental Greenfinch to highlight a few.

The last site for the main tour was Tam Dao just north of the country capital Hanoi, where foggy weather was a bit upsetting but not stopping us finding Grey Laughingthrush, Short-tailed Parrotbill, David’s Fulvetta, Bianchi’s Warbler and Common Green Magpie.

During the extension to the Fansipan region we reached the top of Indochina where we found White-browed (Tonkin) Fulvetta, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Black-faced Laughingthrush, while lower down we connected with White-collared and Whiskered Yuhina, Hill Blue and Pygmy Flycatcher, Small Niltava, ‘Eastern’ Spectacled Barwing, Black-faced Warbler, Davison’s Leaf, Caludia’s Leaf, Buff-barred, Grey-crowned and Buff-throated Warblers, White-crowned Redstart, Vinous-throated and Ashy-throated Parrotbills, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Black-headed Greenfinch, Crested Finchbill, Brown-breasted Bulbul and our main target, the Pale-throated Wren-Babbler.

Heading to Tan Thanh in the Mekong Delta early in the morning is how we started our tour to Vietnam. Arriving just when the tide was half coming on us, we only had to wait an hour until birds were pushed up on the coast to have views of them. While waiting for the tide we collected our first birds in the coastal vegetation including Asian Green Bee-eater, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Sunda Pied Fantail, Chestnut-tailed Starling and a few Plain-backed Sparrows. On the coast, Tibetan and Greater Sand Plovers and Kentish Plovers were feeding, dozens of Terek Sandpipers and Great Knots and Common Greenshanks were also easily spotted. It did not take too long to find Nordmann’s Greenshank in a comfortable distance. A single Pacific Golden Plover, a Dunlin and a few Curlew Sandpipers and Red-necked Stints were found after scanning the mudflat. Caspian Terns were seen on the deck while Whiskered Terns and Gull-billed Terns were flying around. In the distance two Far-eastern Curlews were feeding comparable to orientalis Eurasian Curlews nearby.

Around noon we decided to leave the area and started our journey to reach Cat Tien, where we arrived at dinner time. To initiate exploring the park we took our first night drive in the park starting with a Brown Boobook at the headquarters and found just one Pygmy Slow Loris from the truck. On the way back we heard Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl calling from the forest, a promising start for the upcoming time here.

Early morning, we were doing some roadside birding along the main track in the park and exploring the headquarters area, where we quickly found our first Green-eared Barbet, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Thick-billed and Orange-breasted Green Pigeons, a Blue-bearded Bee-eater as it was hunting in the canopy, loud Red-breasted Parakkets, Scarlet and Swinhoe’s Minivets, Common and Great Iora, Large Woodshrike, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Asian Fairy Bluebird and Asian Brown Flycatcher. We then spent the rest of the morning in one of the hides where we did not have to wait too long before a male Siamese Fireback showed up in the company of two females while other birds, like Indochinese Blue Flycatcher, Abbot’s Babbler, Puff-throated Babbler, Buff-breasted Babbler, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, Ochraceous, Stripe-throated and Streak-eared Bulbuls and one Siberian Blue Robin and a skulking Radde’s Warbler were hanging around to entertain us. We suspended the hide in the middle of the day and went for a cold drink and a lunch at the restaurant. After a short break we returned to the hide, seeing the first Black-crested, Black-headed and Black Bulbuls, Black-hooded and Black-naped Orioles and Racket-tailed Treepies on the way. In the hide we were lucky enough to soon enjoy the other main target here as a pair of the near-endemic Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant. We had another visit of the Siamese Fireback, this time the male showing some sign of display. Leaving the hide we found a pair of Black-and-red Broadbills near the main track and checked one of the Two-barred Warblers which were calling around before heading out to the open grassland areas of the park to spend the rest of the day birding there. From the back of a truck we did birding in comfort and saw Green Peafowl, Vinous-breasted Myna, Black-collared Starling, Burmese Shrike, Red-collared Dove and Oriental Pied Hornbills.

During a night drive we heard a Blyth’s Frogmouth, which never called again after answering once to the tape in the distance; we saw Great Eared and Large-tailed Nightjars.

Our second morning started with the excitement of a large shadow perching above us in the dark at the headquarters, soon with lights put on it a Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl was looking at us holding a rat in its claws – what a start to the day. We took a ride to the bamboo dominated areas of the park and heard a distant calling Orange-necked Partridge, saw the first Yellow-bellied Warbler, found a few disturbingly skulking Blue-rumped Pittas, Little Spiderhunters, Stripe-throated, Streak-eared and Black-headed Bulbuls, a White-browed Piculet, a calling male Banded Kingfisher was spotted and managed to call in a pair of Pale-headed Woodpeckers, however – as usual – they were never perching for too long at the same spot, but multiple flight views and several short perched views were obtained of both birds. For the afternoon we sat at the other hide of the park and were stunned by Bar-bellied Pitta and Blue-rumped Pitta appearing very soon, while Common Flameback, Green-legged Partridge, Siberian Blue Robin, White-rumped Shama were hanging around before we had to leave the hide as a storm with strong wind made it too dangerous to stay inside the forest any longer. As the weather forced a break on us we had an afternoon coffee and finished the day birding around the headquarters later in the afternoon. During the owling session after dinner, we found roosting individuals of both Pittas, Indochinese Blue Flycatchers and found Collared Scops Owl.

A drive to the trailhead and we set foot to the Crocodile Lake in the centre of the national park. The trail heading through nice forest where we found Greater Yellownape, Laced Woodpecker, Greater Flameback, Vernal Hanging Parrot, glimpsed a Violet Cuckoo, saw Dusky and Banded Broadbills, the near–endemic Grey-faced Tit-Babbler, Wooly-necked Stork flying over above the canopy and Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, Black-naped Monarch and Little Spiderhunter before reaching the ranger station laying on the bank of the wetland. Looking over the water from a comfortable viewpoint we soon spotted the reintroduced Simaese Crocodiles in the water and White-browed Crakes, Bronze-winged Jacanas and Purple Swamphens along the edge, while a single Cotton Pygmy Goose was swimming further in. An Indochinese Roller was hanging around and a Grey-headed Fish Eagle and Lesser Adjutant were seen in flight. Oriental Darters and Little Cormorants perched drying themselves were all seen before heading out after lunch. Returning to the trailhead we found a pair of Ashy-headed Green Pigeons and saw more Thick-billed Green Pigeons. As the team was exhausted and heavy rain arrived, we took the afternoon out and enjoyed some rest. Our last owling session after dinner we only found some roosting birds and spotted Collared Scops again.

On our last morning in Cat Tien, we went back to the bamboo habitat where luckily this time we saw an Orange-necked Partridge crossing the track in front of the group. Later as we tried luring it back, they responded to the call but refused to come out of the dense vegetation for a second look. We decided to start walking back and bird the old forest patch nearby where we found Scaly-crowned (Indochinese) Babblers, a Collared Falconet, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Golden-crested Myna, Grey-eyed Bulbul and bumped into a family of Black-shanked Doucs. Reaching the spot where we were about to be picked up, we saw a flighty Van Hasselt’s Sunbird before returning to the headquarters to check out.

After a few hours on the road, we arrived at Di Linh in the afternoon. Birding around our accommodation we were surprised by Pin-tailed Snipes and a pair of Greater Painted Snipes, a flock of Lesser Whistling Duck and a skulking Brown-cheeked Rail which forgot to hide in the dense vegetation for a few seconds.

Despite the late time and strong wind, we went out for some initial birding at Deo Nui San where we found a Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo and got short and bad looks at two Black-headed Parrotbills as they went to roost.

We started in the dark next morning in hope of hearing some nightbirds but as wind and light rain was still hitting the area, we did not see anything. Later the weather turned better and during the morning birding we had great views of Vietnamese Cutia feeding in a flock of Swinhoe’s Minivets, Chestnut-vented and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, White-bellied Erpornis, Oriental Cuckooshrike, Eurasian (White-faced) Jay and (Grey-capped) Black-throated Bushtits. A perched Yellow-vented Green Pigeon was an unusual treat. We found Black-chinned Yuhina, Flavescent Bulbul, Ashy Bulbul, Green-backed Tit, Maroon Oriole and a cooperative couple of Collared Babblers along the roadside. Taking a short trail, we had a close calling Blue Pitta which refused to come closer into view. Another trail further down the road we found a mixed flock which had a couple Black-headed Parrotbills feeding amongst other birds, finally good views of this endemic.

We enjoyed the lovely kitchen of our hosts here at lunchtime and departed towards Dalat in the early afternoon.

Arriving at Dalat we still had enough time to visit a hilltop at the edge of the town. A feeding spot here was created a few years ago and now Dalat Bush Warbler was straight on easy as we just sat in the open near by the dedicated area. Other birds here were Brown Shrike, Hill Prinia, Flavescent Bulbul, a White-cheeked Laughingthrush coming to steal some of the mealworms, the real surprise being a fantastic Siberian Rubythroat turning up a few times, melting our hearts immediately. As dawn hit the area Large-tailed and Grey Nightjars started calling everywhere and soon we saw a few birds flying around. In the dark we tried to call in Hodgson’s Frogmouth but it was too windy to have a real chance.

Our first full day at Dalat we tried the hide system where early in the morning, sitting in the first hide we soon saw a Silver Pheasant pair of the local annamensis race appearing, White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Mountain Bulbul, Large Niltava, Snowy-browed Flycatcher and Mountain Fulvetta being all present around in the meantime we sat there, when Tron suddenly arrived with good news that we should rapidly change hides. And in a few minutes, we were behind another piece of net watching three of the gorgeous Collared Laughingthrush a few metres away from us, the species being endemic to the area and heavily trapped it is no longer guaranteed seeing them. Besides the Collared Laughingthrush we had a great set of birds coming in and moving around including a smart male Siberian Thrush, Rufous-throated Partridge, the local, brightly coloured rufiventer subspecies of Streaked Wren-Babbler, the langbianensis race of Lesser Shortwing, and lovely White-tailed Robin.

Breaking the wait in the hides we took a walk on a forest trail just before lunch where a small flock of Vietnamese Greenfinch was the first spotted on a pine tree before moving further in to the broadleaved forest where Hume’s Treecreeper, annamensis White-browed Shrike-babbler, Maroon Oriole, Mugimaki Flycatcher and Black-throated Sunbird were seen. From the road we spotted a Mountain Hawk-Eagle gliding above the forest before hitting the road for a short drive to have a lunch and a coffee nearby

In the afternoon, we tried our luck with one more hide, where soon glowing green Indochinese Green Magpies were popping up from the forest background. Two shy Dark-sided Thrush and an Orange-headed Thrush were coming and going constantly, another pair of Langbian Lesser Shortwing, Black-headed Sibia of the robinsoni race turned up, while White-spectacled and Grey-cheeked Warblers were seen moving around. The star of the afternoon came late, but patience paid off when a Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler (or Indochinese Wren-Babbler) appeared and spent a few minutes entertaining us. We stayed out until dark seeing Grey Nightjar and heard Hodgson’s Frogmouth calling on the hilltop above us.

Early in the morning we left Dalat city to arrive back into the Bi Doup Nui Ba National Park where we took a logging road in the morning for birding. One of the first birds we found was a very responsive Grey-crowned Crocias which in a few minutes produces some incredible views sitting a few metres in front of us. Further down the trail noisy Rufous-backed Sibias were seen in the canopy. On the way back we found a feeding flock of Mountain Fulvettas, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Vietnamese Cutia, White-bellied Erpornis and others and finally a Black-crowned Fulvetta answered our tape but kept going with the flock and was not seen. We went back to try for the Fulvetta from the hides, seeing again Collared Laughingthrush and other species and adding Spotted Forktail to our list but our luck with the main target now was missing.

For the late afternoon we checked some pine forest near the Tuyam Lam lake where a Rufous Woodpecker, Grey Bushchat, Green-backed Tit and grey-crowned Black-throated Bushtits were seen before moving on to broadleaved patches where we heard a distant calling flock of Black-hooded Laughingthrush just before dark. Finishing the day with some nightbirding in the wind was not optimal but we managed to see the rufous form of Oriental Scops Owl.

We packed and before leaving Dalat we stopped at Datanla where soon found a Slender-billed Oriole feeding low down on some berries. A Chestnut-vented Nuthatch showed nicely, Vietnamese Greenfinch was moving around and a flowering tree had few of the local subspecies Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird including beautiful males. One more Orange-headed Thrush was spotted and an Indochinese Barbet perched eye-level was the best sight of the species so far.

As we drove north having short birding stops, we found more Grey-crowned Crocias, and a mixed flock of House Swift, Eastern Red-rumped Swallow, Asian House Martin, Edible-nest Swiftlet and a Siberian House Martin amongst them and a low-flying Crested Serpent Eagle was great to observe.

A lunch stop at the Lak Lake also provided the last birding spot for the day where we saw White-shouldered Starling, Lineated Barbet and Coppersmith Barbet being new to our trip list.

On our full day in Mang Den and Mang Canh we were mostly birding from the main road after trying Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush at the feeding spot which we failed to see, however knowing our chances were slim as there were no recent sightings from the area, sadly, the known birds probably have been trapped. From the road we found Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Black-throated Sunbird, Rufous-faced Warbler, Orange-bellied Leafbird, a great looking male Clicking Shrike-babbler, the range restricted Yellow-billed Nuthatch and some migrating Crested Honey Buzzards and Grey-faced Buzzards. Although the weather was not pleasing, we took a trail going into the forest where a small feeding flock had Rufous-faced Warbler, Golden Babbler, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Mountain Fulvetta and White-bellied Erpornis. Reaching a clearing we found a singing Spot-throated Babbler which took some time to lure into views as it was skulking in the dense undergrowth. On the way back to our vehicle a flock of Grey-headed Parrotbill responded to our tape and came in showing well.

In the afternoon, the birding was slow and we only saw species we already had before and we stayed out until dark finding a roosting Red-headed Trogon and a Mountain Scops Owl which was a challenge to see in the tiny windows through the foliage.

Next morning, we were birding closer to Mang Den along a paved road seeing Blue-winged Minla, Silver-eared Mesia, Long-tailed and Grey-chinned Minivets.

Later we took a trail where we heard calling Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon and saw Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Golden Babbler, Necklaced Barbet, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, and we managed to call in a few loud Bay Woodpeckers. On the way back our luck found us and Black-hooded Laughingthrushes started calling not too far from the trail. After some rapid tactical positioning we were carefully luring the birds closer and after some time we even managed to call the flock above us, when we were delighted to realise that at least 5 birds were moving together in these heavily trapped areas.

Leaving Mang Den, we took a short detour to stop in a suitable habitat patch near Pleiku where we found Chestnut-capped Babblers and Annam Prinia.

Our next birding spot was at the Dakto Wetlands where we saw Wire-tailed Swallow, Asian Green Bee-eater and Paddyfield Pipits.

Finishing the long drive for the day we stopped along the road before arriving at Tu Mo Rong hearing Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo, Moustached Barbet and saw Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters, Flavescent Bulbul and Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo.

We left early in the morning to reach Ngoc Linh Mountain from Tu Mo Rong village. The weather at the trailhead was already miserable but such circumstances were not holding us back and we took the trail to the top and slowly trekked up to the feeding spot higher up where we had all our trust in the hide we sat in. We spent our time in the hide until noon seeing such incredible birds as Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Brown-crowned Scimitar-Babbler, Rufous-winged and Rusty-capped Fulvettas, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher and the near endemic Black-crowned Barwing. But no Golden-winged Laughingthrush. So, a few of us decided to walk further up the trail where after some time we found a calling bird, but the rain, fog and wind combination was far from ideal to lure the bird closer and we had to give up soon after. As we returned to the hide for a snack lunch an Indochinese Fulvetta turned up easing our frustration. We started going down in the fantastic looking forest early in the afternoon and finished the day walking along the road at the trailhead hearing Green Cochoa in the fog, seeing Green-tailed and Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Ashy-throated Warbler, Black-headed Sibia and an unlucky Pin-tailed Parrotfinch which landed on the tarmac of the bridge arching above the river valley just when we were there. Later we took our vehicle and started going back to Tu Mo Rong stopping on the way when we left the fog behind and birded from the road in a nice weather seeing Hill Prinia, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Flavescent Bulbul, Long-tailed Shrike, a Collared Owlet and found a Collared Scops Owl on its roost in the dense bamboo.

Next morning, we left Tu Mo Rong and tried some birding along the road on Ngoc Linh, but the weather hardly changed at all since the previous day, still managed to see Grey-breasted Prinia, a Black-winged Kite, White-cheeked Laughingthrush and several Blyth’s Leaf Warbler and sunbirds before we gave up on the area.

We had a long drive for the day to arrive in Da Nang in the late afternoon where we dropped a group member before arriving in Lang Co where we spent the night in a nice beach hotel.

Morning birding was done around the hotel grounds where we managed to find Masked Laughingthrush, Oriental Greenfinch, Common Iora, Brown-throated Sunbird, Oriental Magpie Robin, Sooty-headed Bulbuls and Chinese Blackbird. We had to take another road section running parallel with the coastline where we found Light-vented Bulbul, Dusky Warbler and other more common birds before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

Our original itinerary would take us to Bach Ma from Lang Co, but a landslide blocking the way to the top made us alter our plans and we skipped Bach Ma and drove straight to Khe Sanh. A coffee stop on the way produced our first seen Moustached Barbet. Some late afternoon birding at Sa Mu pass in windy conditions was quiet but we still managed to find a flock of Needletails having both Silver-backed and White-throated in the same flock. We finally managed to call in a Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo, saw a Black Eagle and heard Pale-headed Woodpecker.

With the forced itinerary change we now had a full day birding the Sa Mu pass which turned out to be a fortunate change as windy conditions made birding quite slow and it took all day for us to finally find responsive Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush which at the end turned out to be very responsive and even called in another group on the other side of the road – still their skulking behaviour and the dense vegetation made it a challenge to spot them. During the day we had great look at a cooperative White-gorgeted Flycatcher, found a small flock of White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Blue Rock Thrush was seen on roadside buildings, the bamboo had several Yellow-bellied Warblers and a passing Eastern Marsh Harrier was also spotted.

Next morning when passing the Sa Mu pass, we had no pressure and only stopped at lower elevation seeing a Black-winged Cuckooshrike, a Barred Cuckoo-Dove pair flew by and a Blue Whistling Thrush was the first for our tour. A longer drive with a few stops on the way we arrived at Phong Nha in the early afternoon. After a nice coffee we went out to search for some birds but the birding sites were very quiet, we only found a calling Oriental Hobby and we decided to go further away to try for Red-shanked Doucs as they went for roost – and we had a great sight of them.

Finishing the long day, we chose a nice restaurant in the touristy town where even the fussiest eaters found their choice of food and enjoyed some nice local beer.

Our full day in Phong Nha started with an early departure to the karst habitat. The area which was completely silent yesterday was in full birdsong and we soon managed to localise a singing Limestone Leaf Warbler, which came close and showed well for us. Finding Sooty Babbler took some time, but persistence paid off and we were treated with great views of this odd member of the babblers, two birds feeding under the roadside vegetation softly calling sometimes. Small feeding flocks were moving around and once a group of Indochinese Yuhinas turned up and we could follow them along the road. Sultan Tits were calling loud and were responsive, Scarlet Minivets were easily seen well, Cook’s (Fork-tailed) Swifts were flocking in the sky. A loud Ratchet-tailed Treepie was calling on a close tree and soon crossing above the road. We had scope views of a perched Pied Falconet and watched it as it was hunting for flying insects. Distant calling White-winged Magpies were noticed in time and we were lucky to see one crossing above the road and flying with a dark background soon providing nice looks, later another two birds were also spotted one crossing again above us. The weather was warming up and we were walking further down the road a Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush and another flicked over the road later followed by two Black-throated Laughingthrush. Arriving at the central bridge we lured in a Spot-necked Babbler. We drove to a more closed patch of forest where we found Scaly-crowned Babblers before it got too warm and activity dropped significantly making us retire for a lunch and a short afternoon break. Later that day we chose to drive back to the Douc’s area where we found even more of these beautiful primates. Stopping at other spots a calling Red-vented Barbet pair came to nearby trees and we once found a responsive Red-collared Woodpecker which shot by above us before disappearing forever, our tape also calling in Bay Woodpeckers from the same forest patch. To finish the day, we drove back to the centre of the park where another, closer Red-shanked Douc was enjoying the last moments of the day on a treetop. Our incredible luck found us again and another Red-collared Woodpecker was heard here. Activity was low but we decided to come back here the next day to try our luck here. We finished the day with a nice Red-headed Trogon feeding in the last rays of light in a close range.

We left before sunrise and stopped at the paddyfields at the edge of Phong Nha town seeing Great Mynas and White-shouldered Starlings emerging from their roosts. Then we drove to the woodpecker spot and soon had a response and after some careful taping both male and female birds flew out from the dark forest patch and one bird perched on a big open tree giving unusual views of this shy species. We saw Limestone Leaf Warbler once more, Great Ioras and a pair of Silver-breasted Broadbills before we went back for breakfast to the hotel to have a breakfast and check out.

A long drive during the day and we arrived at Cuc Phuong National Park by late afternoon, still time for a comfort walk where only few birds were seen as activity was just about to stop at the end of the day, still we added a Plain Flowerpecker to our trip list. After dinner a walk around the headquarters resulted in finding Blue-rumped Pitta and Japanese Thrush on roost.

In the morning we drove through the centre of the park in the dark and were birding on foot in the first light soon seeing a Fork-tailed Sunbird on the track before taking a trail up into the forest on a karst hill where our main target was Annam Limestone Babbler, which we found shortly after reaching the suitable habitat. We lured the birds closer and they were going around us, however the dark forest made them disappear easily from time to time. Walking back to have a late breakfast we found a Rufous-throated Fulvetta near the trail and enjoyed the morning chorus of several Red-vented Barbets. The rest of the morning after breakfast we spent in a nearby hide, where several Japanese Thrush, a few Black-breasted Thrush, Hainan Blue Flycatcher and Rufous-throated Fulvetta were turning up.

In the afternoon we chose to walk another trail inside the park but the forest was quiet and we only saw a distant Pied Falconet, a small flock of White-bellied Erpornis, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Black-browed Fulvetta and a Bianchi’s Warbler, though the latter one was a leader-only sighting as the bird answered to our tape but stayed hidden. To finish the day, we stopped at a hotspot for White-tailed Flycatcher where we heard a bird singing for a short time, but the rainy-windy weather made us give up on the bird for now. After dinner the optional night excursion resulted in seeing Collared and Mountain Scops Owl, roosting Blue-rumped Pittas, a Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel and a short sighting of a Pangolin crossing the road in front of the vehicle.

Wind and rain stayed with us the next morning when we tried again for the Flycatcher, without any luck, though we found more Annam Limestone Babblers before turning back to the HQ for breakfast and check-out.

Leaving Cuc Phuong, we stopped at the nearby Van Long Nature Reserve where we soon spotted Delacour’s Langurs on the cliffs and scanned the area for waterbirds seeing almost a hundred Asian Openbills, all the possible white herons, Yellow Bittern, Osprey, White-browed Crake, Purple Swamphen, Plaintive Cuckoos, Siberian Stonechats, Dusky Warbler, Light-vented Bulbul, Plain and Yellow-bellied Prinia.

By night we reached a foggy Tam Dao, where dinner was due soon after we checked into our hotel.

In the morning after a warm-up walk to find coffee and having breakfast back in the hotel, we took the steps going to the radio tower. The city was hit by dense fog and strong gusts made birding even harder on the steps, which we chose to take carefully in the first half of the morning. From time to time, we heard a flock of Grey Laughingthrush and they were coming closer once reaching very close, but not coming in despite the effort we put into them. Luckily at a suitable looking bamboo patch we managed to call in two Short-tailed Parrotbills which perched for a few seconds and disappeared into the grey. Walking down the steps we found a few David’s Fulvettas feeding close enough for looks and also heard Bianchi’s Warbler on two spots, fortunately one being responsive enough to provide some views.

To release our frustration caused by the weather we decided to descend down the hill and after a lunch and coffee we had a short walk around a pagoda in sunshine seeing Plain Flowerpeckers, Swinhoe’s White-eyes and a Grey-backed Shrike.

For the second half of the afternoon the fog cleared up on the top and we took a paved road on the ridge where some bird activity was still found. We soon bumped into a pair of Short-tailed Parrotbills, this time the views were much better. Eastern Buzzard, Crested Honey Buzzard and Eastern Red-rumped Swallows were seen passing above the ridge. On the way walking back a calling Common Green Magpie was lured into view soon and a small flock had noisy Sultan Tits. Just before giving up birding a singing flock of Grey Laughingthrushes was heard near the track, which we were soon luring closer. It took all our time and patience to get some views of the birds calling just by the road before returning back to the city for a final great dinner of the main tour.

On the last morning of the main tour fog ruined any chance of birding at Tam Dao so we decided to get lower down the hill and walked a short trail under the fog zone. A small patch of reeds had a singing Manchurian Reed Warbler only providing very brief views. We heard Red-billed Blue Magpies calling in the distance and they were heading our way just making it possible for us to see them in a few minutes. In the dense undergrowth we tried to move a singing Spot-necked Babbler into views which happened a few times using our patience.

As some time passed, we started driving back to the higher elevations in hope of disappearing fog, which – as we realised soon – did not happen. To secure some birding for the afternoon with the group members staying for the extension we said good bye for the others – who later, in the middle of the day had a transfer back to Hanoi airport – and started our journey to the foothills of Fansipan mountain.

We arrived at Sa Pa in time to have a walk at the so-called Love Waterfall, where some initial exploration of the region was giving us a few Buff-throated Warblers, Davison’s Leaf Warblers, Ferruginous Flycatcher, Plumbeous Water Redstart, a Black-faced Warbler and a Rufous-bellied Niltava.

On our first full day at Sa Pa, we walked along the main road until all paperwork was done for us to enter Fansipan National Park. During the roadside birding some great birds were popping up like White-collared Yuhina, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Brown-breasted Bulbul, Black-headed Greenfinch and Grey-crowned Warbler. We also managed some great views of a Pygmy Cupwing. As soon as the permits were issued, we headed onto the trail first seeing a Himalayan Cuckoo and a few Brown-backed Needletails. Fortunately, we did not have to walk very far into the forest to find our number one target of the extension, the near-endemic Pale-throated Wren-Babbler. We had a responsive individual jumping and singing around our feet for as long as we wanted. In the distance Great and Golden-throated Barbets were heard calling.

We returned into the city for lunch and a short break before heading back to the trails in the afternoon seeing Ashy-throated Warbler, two more Black-faced Warbler, Whiskered Yuhina, Claudia’s Leaf Warbler, Crested Greenfinch, ‘Eastern’ Spectacled Barwing, Hill Blue and Pygmy Flycatcher and Crested Finchbill.

It was time the second morning in Sa Pa to take the cable car which holds the Guiness record for being the longest one and also the one gaining the most elevation in the world. On the top clear but windy weather was teasing us and we took the tiring walk to a hide which is set up under the top. We stayed in the hide for almost three hours but only Black-faced Laughingthrush and White-browed Fulvetta turned up, thus we gave up to escape the chilly wind there and started walking back to the top, briefly seeing Chestnut-headed Tesia on the way. Arriving at the top, we were treated with dense fog, which we had to get used to recently, but took our persistence and some birding around the peak area we had great looks at a ridiculously tame Scaly-breasted Cupwing and found more White-browed Fulvetta and one more Black-faced Laughingthrush and an Aberrant Bush Warbler was only heard.

A hot coffee was a treat to have before descending down with the cablecars. In the gardens around the lower cable car station, we found Common Rosefinch and a small flock of Vinous-throated Parrotbills. We had a rapid visit at the Silver Waterfall where we found Plumbeous Water Redstart, White-crowned Redstart and a Blue Whistling Thrush. We took the lower section of the main road to walk in the late afternoon hearing Blue-throated Barbet and finding Small Niltava before we finished birding for the day.

On the last morning of the tour, we went to the Ham Rong gardens in Sa Pa, where early morning activity was great and one of the first birds we spotted was a Rosy Minivet perched on a bamboo stick. Dozens of White-eyes were moving in the canopy and after some investigation we found a few Chestnut-flanked ones. A Brown-breasted Flycatcher was singing shortly and soon seen by us. We also heard Small Niltava and saw Hill Blue Flycatcher in the area. Almost at the peak we found a Brown-flanked Bush Warbler. Green-backed Tits and Cinereous Tit were seen on the pines. We also managed to see Buff-barred and Pallas’s Leaf Warblers in feeding flocks and flushed Olive-backed Pipits from the ground. It took some time but finally we found a flock of feeding Parrotbills and about checking five or six individuals we spotted two Ashy-throated amongst the Vinous-throated ones. On the way back to the hotel we stopped for a nice coffee at a restaurant with a pine tree in front where a Black-headed Greenfinch was still singing in the morning.

We checked out later in the morning to finish our tour and went back to Hanoi where everyone managed to smoothly fly home in these difficult times.

TOP5 birds of the main tour as voted by the participants:

1. Red-tailed Laughingthrush
2. Bar-bellied Pitta
3. Grey-crowned Crocias / Collared Laughingthrush
4. Vietnamese Cutia
5. Sooty Babbler

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows AviList v2025 (AviList Core Team 2025. AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025), this was the current version when the checklist for the tour report was created.

BIRDS

Lesser Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna javanica

Cotton Pygmy Goose  Nettapus coromandelianus

Rufous-throated Partridge  Arborophila rufogularis  A pair seen at Dalat from hide.

Bar-backed Partridge ◊  Arborophila brunneopectus  Heard-only.

Orange-necked Partridge ◊  Arborophila davidi A bird seen crossing the track in Cat Tien.

Silver Pheasant ◊  Lophura nycthemera The race annamensis seen at Dalat from hide.

Siamese Fireback ◊  Lophura diardi  Great views in Cat Tien.

Green Peafowl ◊  Pavo muticus

Green-legged Partridge ◊  Tropicoperdix chloropus

Green-legged Partridge ◊ (Tonkin P)  Tropicoperdix [chloropus] tonkinensis  Heard-only

Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant ◊  Polyplectron germaini  Near-endemic. Four seen in Cat Tien.

Red Junglefowl  Gallus gallus

Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficollis

Greater Coucal  Centropus sinensis

Lesser Coucal  Centropus bengalensis

Green-billed Malkoha  Phaenicophaeus tristis

Asian Koel  Eudynamys scolopaceus

Asian Emerald Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx maculatus

Violet Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus

Banded Bay Cuckoo  Cacomantis sonneratii

Plaintive Cuckoo  Cacomantis merulinus

Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo  Surniculus lugubris

Large Hawk-Cuckoo  Hierococcyx sparverioides

Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo  Hierococcyx nisicolor  Several heard and one seen at the Sa Mu Pass.

Indian Cuckoo  Cuculus micropterus

Himalayan Cuckoo  Cuculus saturates Seen on the extension at Sa Pa.

Common Cuckoo  Cuculus canorus

Barred Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia unchall

Spotted Dove  Spilopelia chinensis

Red Collared Dove  Streptopelia tranquebarica

Rock Dove (introduced)  Columba livia

Common Emerald Dove  Chalcophaps indica

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon  Treron bicinctus

Ashy-headed Green Pigeon  Treron phayrei A pair seen in Cat Tien.

Thick-billed Green Pigeon  Treron curvirostra

Yellow-vented Green Pigeon ◊  Treron seimundi  Great looks at a bird perched near Di Linh.

Pin-tailed Green Pigeon  Treron apicauda

Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon  Treron sphenurus  Heard-only.

Zebra Dove (introduced)  Geopelia striata

Mountain Imperial Pigeon  Ducula badia

Brown-cheeked Rail (Eastern Water Rail)  Rallus indicus

Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus

Purple Swamphen (Grey-headed H)  Porphyrio [porphyrio] poliocephaluscyorn

White-browed Crake  Poliolimnas cinereus

White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus

Red-wattled Lapwing  Vanellus indicus

Tibetan Sand Plover  Anarhynchus atrifrons

Greater Sand Plover  Anarhynchus leschenaultii

Kentish Plover  Anarhynchus alexandrinus

Greater Painted-snipe  Rostratula benghalensis

Bronze-winged Jacana  Metopidius indicus

Eurasian Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus

Far Eastern Curlew (Eastern C)  Numenius madagascariensis

Eurasian Curlew  Numenius arquata

Bar-tailed Godwit  Limosa lapponica

Pin-tailed Snipe  Gallinago stenura

Terek Sandpiper  Xenus cinereus

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola  Heard-only.

Nordmann’s Greenshank ◊ (Spotted G)  Tringa guttifer

Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia

Red-necked Stint (Rufous-n S)  Calidris ruficollis

Barred Buttonquail  Turnix suscitator  Heard-only.

Caspian Tern  Hydroprogne caspia

Gull-billed Tern  Gelochelidon nilotica

Whiskered Tern  Chlidonias hybrida

Asian Openbill  Anastomus oscitans

Lesser Adjutant  Leptoptilos javanicus

Asian Woolly-necked Stork  Ciconia episcopus

Oriental Darter  Anhinga melanogaster

Little Cormorant  Microcarbo niger

Yellow Bittern  Botaurus sinensis

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

Little Heron  Butorides atricapilla

Chinese Pond Heron  Ardeola bacchus

Great Egret (Eastern G E)  Ardea [alba] modesta

Medium Egret  Ardea intermedia

Eastern Cattle Egret  Ardea coromanda

Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea

Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea

Great Eared Nightjar  Lyncornis macrotis

Grey Nightjar  Caprimulgus jotaka

Large-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus macrurus

Hodgson’s Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus hodgsoni  Heard-only.

Blyth’s Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus affinis  Heard-only.

White-throated Needletail  Hirundapus caudacutus

Silver-backed Needletail  Hirundapus cochinchinensis

Brown-backed Needletail  Hirundapus giganteus

Asian Palm Swift  Cypsiurus balasiensis

Fork-tailed Swift  Apus pacificus

Fork-tailed Swift (Cook’s S)  Apus [pacificus] cooki

House Swift  Apus nipalensis

Himalayan Swiftlet  Aerodramus brevirostris

Edible-nest Swiftlet (Germain’s S)  Aerodramus [fuciphagus] germani

Brown Boobook (B Boobook)  Ninox scutulata

Collared Owlet  Taenioptynx brodiei

Asian Barred Owlet  Glaucidium cuculoides

Mountain Scops Owl  Otus spilocephalus

Collared Scops Owl  Otus lettia

Oriental Scops Owl  Otus sunia

Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl ◊  Ketupa nipalensis  An early morning observation in Cat Tien.

Osprey  Pandion haliaetus

Black-winged Kite  Elanus caeruleus

Crested Honey Buzzard  Pernis ptilorhynchus

Crested Serpent Eagle  Spilornis cheela

Mountain Hawk-Eagle  Nisaetus nipalensis

Rufous-bellied Eagle  Lophotriorchis kienerii

Black Eagle  Ictinaetus malaiensis

Crested Goshawk  Lophospiza trivirgata

Shikra  Tachyspiza badia

Eastern Marsh Harrier  Circus spilonotus

Grey-headed Fish Eagle  Icthyophaga ichthyaetus

Grey-faced Buzzard  Butastur indicus

Eastern Buzzard ◊ (Himalayan B)  Buteo [japonicus] burmanicus One seen at Tam Dao.

Orange-breasted Trogon  Harpactes oreskios

Red-headed Trogon  Harpactes erythrocephalus

Common Hoopoe  Upupa epops

Oriental Pied Hornbill  Anthracoceros albirostris

Oriental Dollarbird  Eurystomus orientalis

Indochinese Roller  Coracias affinis

Blue-bearded Bee-eater  Nyctyornis athertoni

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater  Merops leschenaulti

Asian Green Bee-eater  Merops orientalis

Common Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis

Blue-eared Kingfisher  Alcedo meninting  Seen in Cat Tien, a write in to the list.

Pied Kingfisher  Ceryle rudis

Banded Kingfisher  Lacedo pulchella  A male seen while calling in Cat Tien

Stork-billed Kingfisher  Pelargopsis capensis

White-throated Kingfisher  Halcyon smyrnensis

Collared Kingfisher  Todiramphus chloris

Coppersmith Barbet  Psilopogon haemacephalus

Blue-eared Barbet  Psilopogon cyanotis

Great Barbet  Psilopogon virens  Heard-only at Sa Pa.

Red-vented Barbet ◊  Psilopogon lagrandieri  Finally seen near Phong Nha.

Green-eared Barbet ◊  Psilopogon faiostrictus

Lineated Barbet  Psilopogon lineatus

Golden-throated Barbet  Psilopogon franklinii Heard-only.

Necklaced Barbet ◊  Psilopogon auricularis Near-endemic.

Moustached Barbet ◊  Psilopogon incognitus

Blue-throated Barbet  Psilopogon asiaticus  Heard-only.

Indochinese Barbet ◊ (Annam B)  Psilopogon annamensis  Near-endemic.

White-browed Piculet  Sasia ochracea

Rufous Woodpecker  Micropternus brachyurus

Black-and-buff Woodpecker ◊  Meiglyptes jugularis  A pair seen just before leaving Cat Tien.

Pale-headed Woodpecker ◊  Gecinulus grantia  Shy as usual, a responsive pair moving around showing for short intervals several times was seen in Cat Tien.

Common Flameback  Dinopium javanense

Red-collared Woodpecker ◊  Picus rabieri  Seen on two spots at Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.

Laced Woodpecker  Picus vittatus

Greater Yellownape  Chrysophlegma flavinucha

White-bellied Woodpecker  Dryocopus javensis  Heard-only.

Bay Woodpecker  Blythipicus pyrrhotis

Greater Flameback  Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker  Yungipicus canicapillus

Pied Falconet ◊  Microhierax melanoleucos  Seen at Phong Nha and in Cuc Phuong.

Collared Falconet  Microhierax caerulescens

Oriental Hobby  Falco severus

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus

Red-breasted Parakeet  Psittacula alexandri

Vernal Hanging Parrot  Loriculus vernalis

Dusky Broadbill  Corydon sumatranus  Good views in Cat Tien.

Long-tailed Broadbill  Psarisomus dalhousiae

Banded Broadbill  Eurylaimus javanicus

Black-and-red Broadbill  Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos

Silver-breasted Broadbill  Serilophus lunatus

Blue-rumped Pitta ◊  Hydrornis soror  Seen in Cat Tien and Cuc Phuong.

Blue Pitta ◊  Hydrornis cyaneus  Heard-only.

Bar-bellied Pitta  Hydrornis elliotii  Fantastic views in Cat Tien from hide.

Golden-bellied Gerygone (Flyeater)  Gerygone sulphurea

Grey-chinned Minivet  Pericrocotus solaris

Long-tailed Minivet  Pericrocotus ethologus

Scarlet Minivet  Pericrocotus flammeus

Swinhoe’s Minivet ◊  Pericrocotus cantonensis

Rosy Minivet ◊  Pericrocotus roseus  Seen on the extension at Sa Pa.

Oriental Cuckooshrike  Coracina javensis

Black-winged Cuckooshrike  Lalage melaschistos

Indochinese Cuckooshrike  Lalage polioptera

Ashy Woodswallow  Artamus fuscus

Common Iora  Aegithina tiphia

Great Iora  Aegithina lafresnayei

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike  Hemipus picatus

Large Woodshrike  Tephrodornis virgatus

White-browed Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius aeralatus

White-browed Shrike-babbler ◊ (Dalat S-b)  Pteruthius [aeralatus] annamensis

Clicking Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius intermedius

White-bellied Erpornis  Erpornis zantholeuca

Maroon Oriole  Oriolus traillii

Black-hooded Oriole  Oriolus xanthornus

Slender-billed Oriole  Oriolus tenuirostris  Nice views at Dalat.

Black-naped Oriole  Oriolus chinensis

Sunda Pied Fantail  Rhipidura javanica

White-throated Fantail  Rhipidura albicollis

Bronzed Drongo  Dicrurus aeneus

Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus remifer

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus paradiseus

Hair-crested Drongo  Dicrurus hottentottus

Ashy Drongo (Chinese White-faced D)  Dicrurus leucophaeus

Black Drongo  Dicrurus macrocercus

Black-naped Monarch  Hypothymis azurea

Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher ◊  Terpsiphone affinis

Burmese Shrike  Lanius collurioides

Long-tailed Shrike  Lanius schach

Brown Shrike  Lanius cristatus

Grey-backed Shrike  Lanius tephronotus

Racket-tailed Treepie  Crypsirina temia

Ratchet-tailed Treepie  Temnurus temnurus  One seen at Phong Nha.

Common Green Magpie  Cissa chinensis

Indochinese Green Magpie ◊  Cissa hypoleuca  Fantastic looks at a pair near Dalat from hide.

Red-billed Blue Magpie  Urocissa erythroryncha

White-winged Magpie ◊  Urocissa whiteheadi  Near-endemic. Three birds seen near Phong Nha.

Eurasian Jay ◊ (White-faced J)  Garrulus [glandarius] leucotis

Large-billed Crow (Southern Jungle C)  Corvus macrorhynchos

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher  Culicicapa ceylonensis

Sultan Tit  Melanochlora sultanea

Green-backed Tit  Parus monticolus

Green-backed Tit ◊ (Langbian T)  Parus [monticolus] legendrei

Cinereous Tit  Parus cinereus

Yellow-cheeked Tit  Machlolophus spilonotus  Heard-only.

Common Tailorbird  Orthotomus sutorius

Dark-necked Tailorbird  Orthotomus atrogularis

Annam Prinia ◊  Prinia rocki  Near-endemic. Nice views near Pleiku.

Hill Prinia  Prinia superciliaris

Rufescent Prinia  Prinia rufescens

Grey-breasted Prinia  Prinia hodgsonii

Yellow-bellied Prinia  Prinia flaviventris

Plain Prinia  Prinia inornata

Zitting Cisticola (Double Z C)  Cisticola [juncidis] tinnabulans  Heard-only.

Manchurian Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus tangorum Brief views of a singing bird at Tam Dao.

Dalat Bush Warbler ◊ (Vietnamese B-w)  Locustella idonea  Endemic. Ridiculous experience at feeder near Dalat.

Scaly-breasted Cupwing (S-b Wren-Babbler)  Pnoepyga albiventer  Seen on Fansipan.

Pygmy Cupwing (P Wren-Babbler)  Pnoepyga pusilla

Grey-throated Martin  Riparia chinensis

Wire-tailed Swallow  Hirundo smithii

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

Siberian House Martin  Delichon lagopodum

Asian House Martin  Delichon dasypus

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow  Cecropis daurica

Black-throated Bushtit  Aegithalos concinnus

Black-throated Bushtit ◊ (Grey-crowned B)  Aegithalos [concinnus] annamensis

Pale-footed Bush Warbler  Hemitesia pallidipes  Heard-only.

Asian Stubtail  Urosphena squameiceps  Heard-only.

Grey-bellied Tesia  Tesia cyaniventer

Slaty-bellied Tesia  Tesia olivea  Heard-only near Sa Pa.

Chestnut-headed Tesia  Cettia castaneocoronata Briefly seen on Fansipan.

Yellow-bellied Warbler  Abroscopus superciliaris

Rufous-faced Warbler  Abroscopus albogularis

Black-faced Warbler ◊  Abroscopus schisticeps  A few seen around Sa Pa.

Mountain Tailorbird  Phyllergates cucullatus

Brown-flanked Bush Warbler  Horornis fortipes  Seen in Sa Pa.

Aberrant Bush Warbler  Horornis flavolivaceus  Heard-only on Fansipan.

Buff-barred Warbler  Phylloscopus pulcher  Seen near Sa Pa on the extension.

Ashy-throated Warbler  Phylloscopus maculipennis

Yellow-browed Warbler  Phylloscopus inornatus

Pallas’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus proregulus

Radde’s Warbler  Phylloscopus schwarzi

Dusky Warbler  Phylloscopus fuscatus

Buff-throated Warbler  Phylloscopus subaffinis  Seen near Sa Pa on the extension.

Grey-crowned Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus tephrocephalus

Grey-cheeked Warbler  Phylloscopus poliogenys

White-spectacled Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus intermedius

Alström’s Warbler ◊ (Plain-tailed W)  Phylloscopus soror  Heard-only near Di Linh.

Bianchi’s Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus valentini

Two-barred Warbler  Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus tenellipes

Chestnut-crowned Warbler  Phylloscopus castaniceps

Limestone Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus calciatilis  Singing birds seen at Phong Nha.

Blyth’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus reguloides

Claudia’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus claudiae  Seen near Sa Pa during the extension.

Kloss’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus ogilviegranti

Davison’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus intensior  Seen near Sa Pa during the extension.

Black-headed Bulbul  Microtarsus melanocephalos

Black-crested Bulbul  Rubigula flaviventris

Crested Finchbill  Spizixos canifrons  Seen near Sa Pa during the extension.

Stripe-throated Bulbul  Pycnonotus finlaysoni

Streak-eared Bulbul  Pycnonotus conradi

Flavescent Bulbul  Pycnonotus flavescens

Brown-breasted Bulbul ◊  Pycnonotus xanthorrhous  Seen near Sa Pa during the extension.

Light-vented Bulbul (Chinese B)  Pycnonotus sinensis

Yellow-vented Bulbul  Pycnonotus goiavier

Red-whiskered Bulbul  Pycnonotus jocosus

Sooty-headed Bulbul (Southern S-h B)  Pycnonotus aurigaster

Sooty-headed Bulbul (Northern S-h B)  Pycnonotus [aurigaster] latouchei

Ochraceous Bulbul  Alophoixus ochraceus

Puff-throated Bulbul  Alophoixus pallidus

Grey-eyed Bulbul  Iole propinqua

Ashy Bulbul ◊ (Brown-backed B)  Hemixos [flavala] remotus

Chestnut Bulbul ◊  Hemixos castanonotus  Heard-only on foggy Tam Dao.

Mountain Bulbul (Southern M B)  Ixos mcclellandii

Black Bulbul (Himalayan B B)  Hypsipetes leucocephalus

Yellow-eyed Babbler  Chrysomma sinense  Heard-only in Cat Tien.

Indochinese Fulvetta ◊  Fulvetta danisi  Near-endemic. Seen on Ngoc Linh.

White-browed Fulvetta ◊ (Tonkin F)  Fulvetta [vinipectus] valentinae

Grey-headed Parrotbill  Paradoxornis gularis Nice views of a noisy flock at Mang Canh.

Black-headed Parrotbill ◊ (Black-crowned P)  Paradoxornis margaritae  Endemic. Three birds seen in a feeding flock near Di Linh.

Short-tailed Parrotbill ◊  Suthora davidiana  Soon near Tam Dao in the morning fog and then better again in the afternoon.

Ashy-throated Parrotbill ◊  Suthora alphonsiana  At least two birds moving together in a flock with the upcoming species in Sa Pa.

Vinous-throated Parrotbill  Suthora webbiana

White-collared Yuhina ◊  Parayuhina diademata  A few seen near Sa Pa.

Indochinese Yuhina ◊ (Chestnut-collared Y)  Staphida torqueola  Seen in Phong Nha and Tam Dao.

Black-chinned Yuhina  Yuhina nigrimenta

Whiskered Yuhina  Yuhina flavicollis

Chestnut-flanked White-eye  Zosterops erythropleurus  A few seen in Sa Pa.

Swinhoe’s White-eye  Zosterops simplex

Indian White-eye (Oriental W-e)  Zosterops palpebrosus

Chestnut-capped Babbler  Timalia pileata

Grey-faced Tit-Babbler ◊  Mixornis kelleyi  Near-endemic. Seen in Cat Tien.

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler  Mixornis gularis

Golden Babbler  Cyanoderma chrysaeum

Rufous-capped Babbler  Cyanoderma ruficeps

Pale-throated Wren-Babbler ◊  Spelaeornis kinneari  Near-endemic. Fantastic encounter on the extension.

Brown-crowned Scimitar Babbler ◊ (White-throated S B)  Pomatorhinus phayrei  Near-endemic. Seen on Ngoc Linh from hide.

Red-billed Scimitar Babbler (Orange-billed S B)  Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps

Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler  Pomatorhinus ruficollis

White-browed Scimitar Babbler  Pomatorhinus schisticeps

Large Scimitar Babbler  Erythrogenys hypoleucos  Heard-only.

Grey-throated Babbler  Stachyris nigriceps

Sooty Babbler ◊  Stachyris herberti  At least two birds seen moving in the undergrowth at Phong Nha.

Spot-necked Babbler ◊  Stachyris strialata  Seen at Phong Hna and at Tam Dao.

Scaly-crowned Babbler (Indochinese B)  Malacopteron [cinereum] indochinense

Collared Babbler  Gampsorhynchus torquatus   A responsive pair near Di Linh seen well.

Rufous-winged Fulvetta  Schoeniparus castaneceps

Black-crowned Fulvetta ◊  Schoeniparus klossi  Endemic. Heard-only after many attempts.

Rufous-throated Fulvetta  Schoeniparus rufogularis

Rusty-capped Fulvetta ◊  Schoeniparus dubius  Nice views on Ngoc Linh from hide.

Puff-throated Babbler  Pellorneum ruficeps

Spot-throated Babbler ◊  Pellorneum albiventre  A pair seen at Mang Canh.

Buff-breasted Babbler  Pellorneum tickelli

Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler ◊ (Indochinese Wren-Babbler)  Napothera danjoui  One seen from hide near Dalat and a few more heard near Phong Nha.

Abbott’s Babbler  Malacocincla abbotti

Streaked Wren-Babbler ◊  Gypsophila brevicaudata  A pair from the local rufiventer race seen near Dalat.

Annam Limestone Babbler ◊  Gypsophila annamensis  A few noisy individuals seen in Cuc Phuong.

Black-browed Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe grotei  Best seen near Phong Nha.

David’s Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe davidi  Seen on foggy Tam Dao.

Mountain Fulvetta ◊ (Annam F)  Alcippe [peracensis] annamensis

Grey-crowned Crocias ◊  Laniellus langbianis  Endemic. Several seen around Dalat, the first one being very obliging.

Vietnamese Cutia ◊  Cutia legalleni  Endemic. A few seen near Di Linh and Dalat, some nice views.

Black-faced Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron affine  Seen well on Fansipan.

Red-tailed Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron milnei  Fantastic views of this incredible bird on Ngoc Linh.

Collared Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron yersini  Endemic. Three lovely individuals seen from hide near Dalat.

Golden-winged Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron ngoclinhense  Sadly heard-only.

Black-headed Sibia ◊ (Brownish-backed S)  Heterophasia desgodinsi

Black-headed Sibia ◊ (White-spectacled S)  Heterophasia [desgodinsi] robinsoni

Blue-winged Minla  Actinodura cyanouroptera

Blue-winged Minla ◊ (Plain M)  Actinodura [cyanouroptera] orientalis

Spectacled Barwing  Actinodura ramsayi  A pair seen on the extension near Sa Pa.

Black-crowned Barwing ◊  Actinodura sodangorum  Near-endemic. Great views on Ngoc Linh.

Silver-eared Mesia  Leiothrix argentauris

Rufous-backed Sibia ◊  Leioptila annectens

Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush  Garrulax monileger

White-crested Laughingthrush  Garrulax leucolophus

Black-hooded Laughingthrush ◊  Garrulax milleti  Near-endemic. A noisy group skulking around us for several minutes near Mang Den.

Grey Laughingthrush ◊  Garrulax maesi  Skulking group at Tam Dao.

Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush ◊  Garrulax castanotis  Two noisy groups calling each other on Sa Mu Pass.

White-cheeked Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus vassali  Near-endemic. Several dozen seen.

Black-throated Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus chinensis

Masked Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus perspicillatus  Seen near Lang Co.

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch  Sitta frontalis

Yellow-billed Nuthatch ◊  Sitta solangiae  Nice views at Mang Canh.

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch  Sitta nagaensis

Hume’s Treecreeper  Certhia manipurensis

Golden-crested Myna ◊  Ampeliceps coronatus

Common Hill Myna  Gracula religiosa

Black-collared Starling  Gracupica nigricollis

White-shouldered Starling ◊  Sturnia sinensis

Chestnut-tailed Starling  Sturnia malabarica

Common Myna  Acridotheres tristis

Vinous-breasted Myna ◊ (V-b Starling)  Acridotheres leucocephalus

Great Myna (White-vented M)  Acridotheres grandis

Crested Myna ◊  Acridotheres cristatellus

Dark-sided Thrush ◊  Zoothera marginata At least two individuals at the hides near Dalat.

White’s Thrush  Zoothera aurea

Green Cochoa ◊  Cochoa viridis  Heard-only.

Siberian Thrush  Geokichla sibirica  A male from hide near Dalat.

Orange-headed Thrush  Geokichla citrina

Chinese Blackbird  Turdus mandarinus

Japanese Thrush ◊  Turdus cardis

Black-breasted Thrush  Turdus dissimilis

Oriental Magpie-Robin  Copsychus saularis

White-rumped Shama  Copsychus malabaricus

Ferruginous Flycatcher  Muscicapa ferruginea  Only seen on the extension.

Asian Brown Flycatcher  Muscicapa dauurica

Brown-breasted Flycatcher ◊  Muscicapa muttui  One seen in Sa Pa.

White-tailed Flycatcher ◊  Leucoptilon concretum  Heard-only.

Large Niltava  Niltava grandis

Large Niltava ◊ (Dalat N)  Niltava [grandis] decorata

Small Niltava  Niltava macgrigoriae

Rufous-bellied Niltava  Niltava sundara

Verditer Flycatcher  Eumyias thalassinus

White-gorgeted Flycatcher  Anthipes monileger  Very cooperative individual seen at Sa Mu Pass.

Hainan Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis hainanus

Pale Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis unicolor

Hill Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis whitei

Indochinese Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis sumatrensis

Siberian Rubythroat  Calliope calliope

White-tailed Robin  Myiomela leucura

White-crowned Forktail  Enicurus leschenaulti  Heard-only.

Spotted Forktail  Enicurus maculatus

Blue Whistling Thrush (Yellow-billed W T)  Myophonus caeruleus

Siberian Blue Robin  Larvivora cyane

Lesser Shortwing ◊ (Langbian L S)  Brachypteryx [leucophris] langbianensis

Mugimaki Flycatcher  Ficedula mugimaki

Snowy-browed Flycatcher  Ficedula hyperythra

Pygmy Flycatcher ◊  Ficedula hodgsoni  Seen on the extension.

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher  Ficedula strophiata

Little Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula westermanni

Taiga Flycatcher  Ficedula albicilla

White-capped Redstart  Phoenicurus leucocephalus  Seen on the extension.

Plumbeous Water Redstart  Phoenicurus fuliginosus  Seen on the extension.

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush  Monticola rufiventris  Seen on the extension.

Blue Rock Thrush  Monticola solitarius

Grey Bush Chat (G Bushchat)  Saxicola ferreus

Pied Bush Chat (P Bushchat)  Saxicola caprata

Siberian Stonechat (Amur S)  Saxicola [maurus] stejnegeri

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker  Pachyglossa chrysorrhea  Heard-only.

Plain Flowerpecker  Dicaeum minullum

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker  Dicaeum ignipectus

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker  Dicaeum cruentatum

Purple-naped Spiderhunter  Kurochkinegramma hypogrammicum  Heard-only.

Little Spiderhunter  Arachnothera longirostra

Streaked Spiderhunter  Arachnothera magna

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird  Chalcoparia singalensis

Brown-throated Sunbird  Anthreptes malacensis

Van Hasselt’s Sunbird  Leptocoma brasiliana  A male flying around and calling was seen in Cat Tien.

Black-throated Sunbird  Aethopyga saturata

Black-throated Sunbird ◊ (Langbian S)  Aethopyga [saturata] johnsi

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird (Scarlet-breasted S)  Aethopyga [gouldiae] dabryii

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird ◊ (Annam S)  Aethopyga [gouldiae] annamensis

Green-tailed Sunbird  Aethopyga nipalensis

Crimson Sunbird (Greater C S)  Aethopyga siparaja

Fork-tailed Sunbird ◊  Aethopyga christinae

Ornate Sunbird  Cinnyris ornatus

Blue-winged Leafbird  Chloropsis moluccensis

Golden-fronted Leafbird  Chloropsis aurifrons

Orange-bellied Leafbird ◊ (Greyish-crowned L)  Chloropsis [hardwickii] melliana

Asian Fairy-bluebird  Irena puella

Scaly-breasted Munia  Lonchura punctulata

Pin-tailed Parrotfinch ◊  Erythrura prasina  A single bird landed on the road for a few seconds between the group members at Ngoc Linh.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow  Passer montanus

Plain-backed Sparrow ◊  Passer flaveolus

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus

Grey Wagtail  Motacilla cinerea

White Wagtail (Himalayan W)  Motacilla [alba] alboides

Paddyfield Pipit  Anthus rufulus

Olive-backed Pipit  Anthus hodgsoni

Common Rosefinch  Carpodacus erythrinus

Oriental Greenfinch (Grey-capped G)  Chloris sinica  A few seen at Lang Co.

Vietnamese Greenfinch ◊  Chloris monguilloti  Endemic. Small group seen near Dalat.

Black-headed Greenfinch ◊  Chloris ambigua  Several seen during the extension.

MAMMALS

Sunda Pangolin  Manis javanica

Pygmy Slow Loris  Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus

Javan Mongoose (Small Asian M)  Urva javanica

Yellow-throated Marten  Martes flavigula

Eurasian Wild Pig  Sus scrofa

Northern Red Muntjac  Muntiacus vaginalis

Sambar  Rusa unicolor

Northern Smooth-tailed Treeshrew  Dendrogale murina

Northern Treeshrew  Tupaia belangeri

Long-tailed Macaque (Crab-eating M)  Macaca fascicularis

Northern Pig-tailed Macaque  Macaca leonina

Red-shanked Douc  Pygathrix nemaeus

Black-shanked Douc  Pygathrix nigripes

Delacour’s Langur (D Leaf Monkey)  Trachypithecus delacouri

Southern Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon (Yellow-c G)  Nomascus gabriellae

Pallas’s Squirrel (Belly-banded S)  Callosciurus erythraeus

Perny’s Long-nosed Squirrel  Dremomys pernyi

Asian Red-cheeked Squirrel  Dremomys rufigenis

Indochinese Ground Squirrel  Menetes berdmorei

Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel  Belomys pearsonii

Cambodian Striped Squirrel  Tamiops rodolphii

Swinhoe’s Striped Squirrel  Tamiops swinhoei

Brown Rat (introduced)  Rattus norvegicus