Vietnam is not only famous all over the world for its history but also for Vietnam’s Wildlife, especially in Bird Watching. This country has extremely diverse in north-south natural condition. Coming to Vietnam and looking fot best birding spots (places) to go bird watching near me? Here are three main regions you should take a look:
- In the north of Vietnam, the climate is subtropical
- The central region is subtropical
- And the south is tropical with two rainy and sunny seasons
Above all, same as Thailand, Vietnam has a beautiful natural system, but the discovery of Vietnam’s wild nature has not been exploited for tourism much. Part of the error in the war, the political factors and the protection of nature in Vietnam are not really good. Somewhere along the length of the country, hunting for pleasure, even for meat (even though a small bird like a sparrow will still be an extremely attractive dish for many Vietnamese, they call it rich culinary culture).
However, Vietnam will still be an interesting destination for birding, wildlife tour … Because anyway, the aforementioned complicated things are all brought by humans, and that also creates a very characteristic only for Vietnam, different from neighboring Thailand.
Best birding spots – places to go bird watching in Vietnam
Vietnam is located at the end of himalaya and the edge of Indo-chinese area with Pacific Ocean. The geological movements of this giant mountain mass create many large plateaus in the north and central of Vietnam.
Continuously along the length of Vietnam, is the Annamite mountain range. In the south of Vietnam, the end of the Annamite range, like a high wall to contain red basalt soil inside, creates a fertile plains of Lang Bian and Di Linh. A little lower, going west is the highlands bordering Cambodia, with broad leaved forests and wide dipterocarp forests. In the south, where the Mekong is prosperous after passing through China, Myanmar, Lao, Thailand and Cambodia, it flows into the East Sea. Creates a large plain, a wetland with large alluvial flats along the river mouth.
Moreover, beside that geographic difference, like a story with many levels, sometimes hilarious and sad as sunset, I will introduce to you the hot-spot for birding in Vietnam, stretching from south to north with years of tireless work and hard work exploring the nature of Vietnam.
The South of Vietnam
In the South, the French called Cochinchine, there are 3 main places to go bird watching
- Mekong River Delta
- National Parks
- The tropical rain forest area
Mekong River Delta and alluvial flats along the coast
This area includes a number of national parks such as Tram Chim National Park, Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary, Tra Su Nature Reserve, Lang Sen Nature Reserve. The two coastal alluvial areas that are extremely important to Shoebirds for migration are: Go Cong Coast and Can Gio Coast.
National Parks: Cat Tien National Park, Bu Gia Map National Park – one of the best birding spots in Vietnam
Hot and humid tropical forest area, with altitude below 650m. It is an area with many common native birds and many small migratory birds of the Flycatcher group, the Warbler Group, the Thrush group, and the Robin group. There are several famous national parks in this area, namely Cat Tien National Park, Bu Gia Map National Park.
The tropical rain forest area
The tropical rain forest area has an altitude of over 700m. The area is characterized by a cool climate all year round and a lot of rainfall in the rainy season. There is a special geographical feature in the Langbian Plateau, which makes the region a geographically isolated place with the 2,000 m high peaks of Bidoup, Nui Ba and Chu Yang Sin. That creates many species of fauna endemic to this area, as well as birds there are 6 endemic species.
The Central Highlands of Vietnam
The Central Highlands region and the entire central coastal region, the French called Annam. This area is divided into 2 main groups:
- Coastal lowlands
- Highlands
Group of coastal lowlands along the south-north direction
The group of coastal lowlands along the south-north direction, interspersed between narrow plains and estuaries are mountain branches stretching across the sea, cutting off the already narrow plains into small valleys.
Some of the national parks and destinations that characterize this region are Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Bach Ma National Park, Son Tra Peninsula, Nui Thanh District of Quang Nam Province, Van Ninh District of Khanh Hoa Province, Ta Cu Nature Reserve, Nui National Park. Certainly, Phong Nha – Ke Bang and Bach Ma are the best choices among these places to go bird watching.
The group of highlands – one of the best birding spots in Vietnam
The group of highlands over 500m, forming the Central Highlands, is represented by:
- Yokdon National Park
- Konkakinh National Park
- Chu Mom Ray National Park
- Konplong Nature Reserve
Moreover, there is a special thing about this area which is the group of high mountains in the Ngoc Linh region. Most importantly, this is the last edge of the Himalayas in the south. You don’t want to miss this place put in your “bird watching spots near me list”.
Areas in Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve have elevations from 1500m to 2600m, creating a separate ecosystem, with 3 endemic bird species and many small bird species migrating from the Himalayas to winter.
The North of Vietnam
In the north, the French called Tonkin. This region is divided into two main regions:
- Northwest of Vietnam
- Northeast of Vietnam
The Northeast region – one of the best birding spots in Vietnam
That is to say, Northeast region, has sub-tropical climate type with 4 distinct seasons.
Some famous national parks in this area are Cuc Phuong National Park, Xuan Thuy National Park, Tam Dao National Park. Certainly, Cuc Phuong is the best choice among these places to go bird watching.
To clarify, Xuan Thuy National Park is an important stop for shoebirds that migrate every year. While Tam Dao and Cuc Phuong are two destinations for many small migratory birds of the Warbler group, the Flycatcher group from the north.
The Northwest region
The Northwest region has a subtropical climate, with long and cold winters. This area has high average altitude, especially in Hoang Lien National Park, where Fansipan peak is 3140m above sea level.
Therefore, this type of climate and partial geographic elements of the Himalayas give it a bird fauna of many beautiful birds and mostly bird-like species in Yunnan, China.
Bird watching spots near me in Vietnam? In conclusion, if you want to book tours and enjoy bird watching holidays please contact us now.
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