The most common question asked by birders visiting Vietnam is: When is the best time to bird-watching in Vietnam?
To answer this question, we need to determine your target species, so we can recommend the most suitable time period.
If you are interested in seeing shorebirds and migratory birds, the best time is generally from November to February each year.
To be more specific and accurate, you should refer to the lunar calendar, which roughly corresponds to October 20th to January 20th in the lunar year. In Vietnam, using the lunar calendar aligns better with the country’s annual weather and climate patterns compared to the solar (Gregorian) calendar used globally.
Similarly, if you want to see key targets such as Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Partridges, Indochinese Green Magpie, Pittas, Broadbills, etc., you should also follow the lunar calendar. This ideal period is from two weeks before Lunar New Year (around the 15th day of the 12th lunar month) to the end of the third lunar month each year.
Because the lunar calendar reflects changes in climate, wind, and rainfall quite closely across local regions (Vietnam, China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan), relying on it will give you the best results when birdwatching or photographing birds in Vietnam.
However, the lunar calendar can have 12, 13, or even 14 months, so when compared to the solar calendar, the timing shifts each year.
Many travellers are advised to visit Vietnam for birdwatching from November, but for example, in 2025, November in the solar calendar still falls in the 9th and 10th lunar months — the rainy and stormy season. As a result, achieving your goals would be difficult, and the number of observable bird species would be significantly reduced.
Therefore, to determine the best time to visit Vietnam for birding, you should always refer to the lunar calendar.
Wishing you a successful trip with as many bird species as possible to observe — especially Vietnam’s endemic species!