Hanoi Birding Tours
Explore the exotic and varied birding opportunities in Hanoi’s vibrant landscapes, from serene parks to lush wetlands, coastal reserves, forested hills and beyond. Choose from Half-Day, Full-Day, Spotlighting, or Custom Tours.
Details
Summary
– Specialist Birding Tours
– Bookings Available Year-Round
– Departs from Hanoi
– Private tours for individuals or small groups with options for larger groups available upon request
Prices Starting From: (Full Day)
Single Person: $325 per person
Group of 2: $205 per person
Group of 3: $172 per person
Group of 4: $153 per person
*Spotlighting, custom quotes and half day tours on request
Hanoi Birding Tours
Tour Code: HN0501
Birding Tours with Next Continent
At Next Continent, we specialise in delivering exceptional birding tours and experiences for enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned pro, or an avid bird photographer, we offer tailored tours to suit your interests and goals.
Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital and second-largest city, is perfectly situated near some of the country’s most renowned, bird-rich national parks. While many of these parks require an overnight stay outside the city (details below), there are also plenty of exciting birding spots just a short drive away. Over 450 bird species have been recorded in the Hanoi region, providing a rich array of exotic and endemic species for visiting birders.
For our half-day and full-day tours, we focus on local birding spots closer to the city to maximize your time in the field. Depending on the season, we typically aim to spot between 60-100 species. Ba Vi National Park is the primary park we visit on these shorter tours, but our expert guides ensure you make the most of your time, even on quick excursions.
If you have the flexibility to venture beyond Hanoi and stay overnight in one of the national parks, you’ll unlock even more spectacular birding opportunities. Destinations like Cuc Phuong, Tam Dao, and Ba Be National Parks (among others) are renowned for their incredible diversity of birdlife. If you’re interested in this option, please mention it in your booking form, and we’ll be happy to discuss the details and plan an itinerary that best suits your needs.
Our tours range from half-day, full-day, and spotlighting experiences (targeting owls, nightjars, and other nocturnal birds) to custom multi-day adventures. With the region’s diverse range of habitats, including wetlands, montane evergreen forests, coastal areas, paddy fields, lowland evergreen forests, scrubland, and rainforests, you’ll experience exceptional biodiversity and a truly unique birding opportunity.
Our Approach to Birding
Our birding tours are designed with you in mind:
- Target Species: If you have specific target species, share your list, and we’ll create a custom itinerary to help you find them.
- Classic Routes: For those looking for a more holistic experience, we offer classic birding routes that cover the best habitats and sites in the area.
- Flexible Timing: Our local expert guides are available for any duration, ensuring you have a tailored experience.
Types of Birding Experiences We Offer
- Targeted Birding: A custom itinerary designed around your target species
- Big Day Birding: For those who want to maximize their species list, we visit a range of habitats, often recording over 100-120 species in a single day, especially during spring and summer when migratory species, including waders/shorebirds, are present.
- Relaxed Birding: If you prefer a slower pace, we’ll guide you through the highlights of the region, exploring a variety of parks and reserves with unique birdlife.
- Bird Photography: Our guides can adjust the day to focus on photography, taking you to the best spots to capture stunning bird images.
Highlight Species:
Hanoi and the nearby regions boasts a large variety of possible target species, from the very common (White-throated Fantail) to some of the rarest (White-eared Night Heron). Below, we detail some of the more typically requested and expected species for our day tours around Hanoi. For a comprehensive list, we recommend checking eBird or reaching out to us via email.
Red Collared Dove, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Barred Buttonquail, Oriental Pratincole, Cinnamon Bittern, Shikra, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Red-headed Trogon, Pied Kingfisher, Green Barbet, Red-vented Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, White-browed Piculet, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Scarlet Minivet, White-bellied Erpornis, Black-naped Oriole, Hair-crested Drongo, Black-naped Monarch, Brown Shrike, Long-tailed Shrike, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Grey Treepie, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, Grey-throated Marten, Puff-throated Bulbul, Ashy Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Claudia’s Leaf Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird, Indochinese Yuhina, Golden Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Silver-eared Mesia, Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush, Chinese Blackbird, Japanese Thrush, White-rumped Shama, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Siberian Rubythroat, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Fire-breasted Flycatcher, Fork-tailed Sunbird, White Wagtail, Little Bunting, Black-faced Bunting and many more.
Further Afield:
For those looking at multi-day options, here are a few of our classic and most rewarding locations.
Cuc Phuong National Park:
Cuc Phuong is one of the top birding destinations in northern Vietnam. This subtropical lowland green forest on limestone offers excellent birding and photography opportunities and features several excellent accommodation options. Although it can become busy on weekends due to day-trippers, the park’s diverse habitats are home to many notable species, including the Malay Night Heron, Red-collared Woodpecker, Eared Pitta, Brown Hornbill, and Limestone Leaf Warbler. During winter, large numbers of migrants such as thrushes, flycatchers and robins can be a park highlight.
Tam Dao National Park:
Tam Dao, a mountain ridge located approximately two hours north of Hanoi above the Red River Delta, is ideal for a 2-night stay. The park features lower montane evergreen forest with significant bamboo coverage at elevations around 1,100 meters. Key species in this area include the Grey Laughingthrush, Short-tailed Parrotbill, Chestnut Bulbul, and Blue-naped Pitta, with Tristram’s Bunting making an appearance during the winter months.
At a considerable 7-hour drive from Hanoi, Ba Be is a prime destination for serious birders. A 3-4 day trip is recommended to maximize the chances of seeing rare species as well as allowing for time to visit other key sites along the way. The park’s highlight is the endangered and highly elusive White-eared Night-heron, making it one of the few places globally where this species can be observed. Other key species include the Mandarin Duck, Pied Falconet, and White-winged Magpie. Ba Be is characterised by lowland evergreen forest on limestone surrounding a large freshwater lake, and there are various accommodation options available.
Sapa:
Sapa, influenced by the Himalayas, is a birding hotspot boasting around 350 recorded species. While the diversity is high, bird abundance is lower, requiring significant effort to observe many specialties. This area, bordering Yunnan province in China, is home to several rare species not found elsewhere in Vietnam, such as Gould’s Shortwing, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Crested Finchbill, and White-collared Yuhina. Birders can also look for the Vinous-throated, Ashy-throated, and Golden Parrotbills, as well as Rufous-bellied Niltava and Black-headed Greenfinch. Sapa is located about a 4-5 hour drive from Hanoi and features many rare Chinese and high-elevation species.
Why Choose Us?
- Expert Guides: Our experienced bird and wildlife guides have in-depth knowledge of the region and its avifauna.
- Private Driver: You’ll be accompanied by a private driver to ensure seamless transportation throughout your tour.
- Bird Lists: We’ll provide a detailed bird list of all the species encountered during your trip. Same goes for sharing eBird checklists.
- Spotting Scopes & Field Guides: Available upon request to enhance your birding experience.
- Meals & Accommodation Transfers: We can organise meals and provide pickup/drop-off services from your accommodation.
- First Aid & Safety: All our guides are trained in first aid and ensure a COVID-19 Safe environment throughout your tour.
- Comprehensive Insurance: We provide full insurance coverage, giving you peace of mind during your adventure.
- Entrance Tickets & Permits: All necessary entrance tickets and permits are included in your tour, so you don’t have to worry about any additional fees.
Related Tours & Experiences
If you’re interested in other birding tours around the Hanoi region and northern Vietnam, we suggest exploring the options below to complement your standard birding day tour or experience. Let us know if you’re considering multiple tours, as we may be able to create a tailored package for you.
Embark on a journey to the incredible limestone karst wetlands of Ninh Binh in search of birds, butterflies and the critically endangered Delacour’s Langur, one of the rarest primates in the world.
Explore the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Tam Dao National Park, from wildlife-filled forests and scenic trails to historic temples and stunning landscapes, offering a perfect blend of nature, photography and cultural insight.
The Best of Northern Vietnam Birding: Montane Forests, Limestone Karsts, and Alpine Peaks
Venture into the Majestic Landscapes of Northern Vietnam, Birdwatching in Magnificent Montane Forests and Stunning Limestone Karsts
Tailor Your Experience
Looking to enhance your experience? Whether it’s adding an extra day, making an additional stop, arranging pick-up from a distant location, hiring a camera, or combining your tour with another one of our amazing experiences, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch today, and let our experts craft a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices tailored to your needs
Tour Reviews
Still have questions? Get in touch with us directly
- [email protected]
- Phone / WhatsApp / Zalo: (+84) 236 730 2199
- Frequently Asked Questions
