Vietnam Herping Tours
Vietnam’s Premier Herping Tours – Fully Customised for Every Adventure
Offered nationwide, our herping tours are tailored to deliver the best possible experience, whether you’re searching for rare amphibians in remote wilderness areas or spotlighting for vipers closer to the city. Every tour is personalised, ranging from single-night excursions to multi-day expeditions, thereby ensuring optimal conditions, expert guidance and high-quality experiences.
Details
Summary
– Private tours for individuals or small groups (larger groups available upon request)
– Fully customised itineraries to match your interests, target species and itinerary
– Bookings Available Year-Round
– Available across the country
Prices Starting From: (Per Day)
Single Person: $325 per person
Group of 2: $205 per person
Group of 3: $172 per person
Group of 4: $153 per person
*Because each tour is designed around your goals, the pricing guide above may vary based on duration, location, and logistics.
Vietnam Herping Tours
Tour Code: VN0504
Introduction to Herping in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most remarkable destinations for herping, boasting diverse habitats that are home to a unique array of species. With approximately 500 reptiles and amphibians species, including many endemics, near-endemics, and critically endangered species found nowhere else on Earth, Vietnam offers vast and varied herping opportunities that can be incredibly rewarding with a bit of effort.
From lush lowland forests and expansive limestone karsts to the northern montane forests and extensive coastal areas, the country presents an unparalleled herping experience. Even developed urban areas, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, offer an array of unique herping experiences for those with limited time.
As interest in herping grows each year, Vietnam is becoming an essential destination for enthusiasts, offering rare opportunities to connect with unique species that are often difficult or impossible to spot elsewhere.
Overview of Our Experiences
We offer a range of tours tailored to herpers of all interest and experience levels, from short excursions to extended tours, photography trips, customised experiences, and everything in between. Our regular day-to-day herping tours operate out of all major cities and at most national parks, providing easy access to some of Vietnam’s best herping opportunities from major travel destinations, ideal for those on holiday without the time for extended trips into rural areas. Whether you’re interested in shorter day trips, spotlighting expeditions, or embarking on a custom multi-day adventure, we’re here to create the perfect experience for you.
Beyond the following key locations, we organise custom tours across the country, ensuring that no matter the species or region you want to explore, we can help you experience Vietnam’s top herping opportunities. Iconic locations we frequently visit include Cat Tien, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Sa Mu Pass, Mang Den, Yok Don National Park, Da Lat, the Mekong Delta, Bach Ma and more.
Looking ahead, we are in the process of organising exclusive, extended expeditions for 2025 and beyond. These all-inclusive tours, designed to highlight the top herping hotspots in Vietnam and Indochina, are limited to 5-7 participants per group and led by two expert guides for a highly personalised and informative experience. While these new expeditions are in the works, we continue to offer private and custom tours across the country for those seeking a tailored adventure. To be among the first to hear about these upcoming tours, keep an eye on our eNewsletter or scroll down the page for more information.
Our Herping Tours
Below is a summary of some of our available herping tours and experiences. You may find that a custom combination best suits your interests, or you might prefer to join one of our existing tours. If you’re considering multiple tours, let us know—we can create a tailored package just for you. And if you’re unsure, feel free to reach out to our team anytime; we’ll help you find the right fit. You can even book an online consultation to meet with one of our dedicated herping guides to discuss details such as targets, itinerary, travel dates, budget and more.
Southern Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh / Dong Nai / Can Gio & Dinh Mountain
Herping in and around Ho Chi Minh City offers an exciting mix of habitats, from the coastal mangroves of Cần Giờ to the dense lowland forests of Thác Mai and the rugged landscapes of Núi Dinh. These locations provide excellent opportunities to encounter a wide range of reptiles and amphibians, including rare and highly sought-after species.
A typical itinerary includes a night at each location, maximizing habitat coverage and increasing the chances of finding key target species. Spotlighting takes place throughout the night, ensuring the best opportunities for observation and photography.
With a strong chance of encountering species such as Bungarus fasciatus, Trimeresurus rubeus, Naja siamensis, Python bivittatus, Calloselasma rhodostoma, and Ophiophagus hannah, this herping tour is tailored for those seeking to experience Vietnam’s reptile diversity up close. Based out of Saigon, we can arrange pick-up and drop-off each day or travel together, depending on your preference.
Key National Parks:
Cát Tiên National Park
Discover the rich herpetofauna of Cat Tien National Park, home to an impressive diversity of reptiles and amphibians, including several endemics unique to southern Vietnam. Target species include iconic reptiles like the Siamese Crocodile, King Cobra, Reticulated Python, and the striking Trimeresurus rubeus. Lizards range from the vibrant Calotes bachae to the gliding Draco indochinensis, while amphibian highlights include Theloderma vietnamense, Rhacophorus annamensis, and the elusive caecilian Ichthyophis nguyenorum.
Bạch Mã National Park
Explore the diverse herpetofauna of Bạch Mã National Park, a prime destination for encountering Annamite endemics in lush montane forests. With most activity occurring after dark, nocturnal excursions offer the best chances to observe target species, especially in the warmer months.
Featured species include lizards like the Gia Lai Pricklenape, Thừa Thiên-Huế Bent-toed Gecko and Burmese False Bloodsucker; snakes such as Vogel’s Pit Viper, Big-eyed Bamboo Snake, Red River Krait, and Gonyosoma coeruleum; and rare tortoises like the Impressed Tortoise and Big-headed Turtle. Amphibian highlights include Ophryphryne hansi, Leptobrachium banae, the Tiny Bubble-nest Frog, and Vietnamese Bug-eyed Frog.
Bidoup Núi Bà National Park
Discover the rich biodiversity of Bidoup National Park, where pristine montane forests provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable herping adventure. This high-elevation hotspot is home to sought-after species like the Mountain Pit Viper, Fimbrios klossi, Bidoup Pit Viper, Rhacophorus vampyrus, Rhacophorus calcaneus, Indochinese Mountain Frog, Large-eyed Bamboo Snake, and Black-spotted Slug Snake. With both diurnal and nocturnal excursions available, Bidoup offers exceptional opportunities to encounter some of Vietnam’s most elusive reptiles and amphibians.
Tam Đảo National Park
Explore the breathtaking evergreen forests and mountain ranges of Tam Dao, offering varied elevation options for unparalleled herping adventures. The endemic Tam Dao Salamander is the star here, alongside other key species like the Chinese Flying Frog, Ophryophryne microstoma, Karin Bubble-nest Frog, Chinese Cobra, Red Mountain Rat Snake, Chinese Green Tree Viper, Forest Garden Lizard and Formosa Wolf Snake.
Major Cities: Hanoi & Da Nang
Hanoi
Experience urban herping at its finest in Hanoi, with diurnal and nocturnal options available on request. Target species include the Chinese Cobra, Many-banded Krait, Yellow-spotted Keelback, Wang’s Garden Lizard, Copperhead Rat Snake and more.
Da Nang
A favourite for short herping tours, Da Nang offers both diurnal and nocturnal excursions at Son Tra and nearby Bach Ma National Park. Featured species include the Siamese Red-necked Keelback, White-lipped Pit Viper, Golden Tree Snake, Bowring’s Supple Skink, Common Butterfly Lizard, Vietnam Skink, Gia Lai Pricklenape, Guenther’s Frog, Tiny Bubble-nest Frog, Xenophrys truongsonensis, Big-eyed Bamboo Snake, Tonkin Pit Viper and King Cobra.
Where To Begin:
When designing your perfect herping experience, the best way to get started is by completing our booking form. Please share your ideal tour preferences, including:
- Travel Destinations: Where would you like to go?
- Tour Duration: Are you interested in a shorter tour experience or would you prefer a more comprehensive multi-day tour across various regions?
- Target Species: What species are you hoping to see? Consider whether you want to focus on endemics, a specific number of species, lifers, or photography opportunities.
- Other Wildlife Interests: Are you also interested in observing other wildlife, such as birds, primates, butterflies, etc alongside your herping?
- Travel Dates: When are you planning to travel?
- Additional Information: Any other details you think would help us design your perfect experience.
- Tour Options: Have you looked at all our other tours? You might be interested in a custom combination of several experiences or joining one of our existing tours.
Our Approach to Herping Tours
We tailor our tours to fit your specific herping style and objectives. Here are some of the types of herping experiences we offer:
- Targeted Herping Tours: If you have specific species you’d like to focus on, we can create a custom itinerary designed around finding and observing your target species.
- Big List Herping: For those aiming to maximize their species count during a short period, our big list herping watching tours take you to a range of habitats. This is customised depending your location and available spotlighting opportunities.
- Herping Photography: If photography is your passion, we’ll design the tour to focus on capturing stunning wildlife images. We will adapt our approach to support your photography goals with consideration to flash and macro photography. Please keep in mind, we do not touch or change the positions of our animals as has become increasingly common over the years. Please see our Responsible Tourism & Wildlife Watching Ethics for more details.
Why Choose Us?
We pride ourselves on offering high-quality tours that go beyond just herping. Here’s why we’re the right choice for your Vietnam herping adventure:
- Expert Guides: Our guides are highly knowledgeable and experienced herpers, with many having formally studied herpetology and actively engaging in ongoing research. Their expertise ensures in-depth insights into Vietnam’s rich biodiversity as well as access to areas off-limits to other organisations as well as insights to latest discoveries and taxonomic work.
- Wildlife Watching Ethics: Our team strictly follow wildlife watching ethics in practice and not just on paper. For more information, please read our Responsible Tourism & Wildlife Watching Ethics.
- Private Driver & Transport: For your comfort and convenience, our tours include a private driver to ensure smooth and hassle-free transportation.
- Herping Checklists: We provide a detailed list of the species encountered during your tour (including other wildlife such as birds, mammals, etc if requested).
- Field Guides & Other Equipment: Available upon request, we offer field guides, spotlights and other field equipment to enhance your herping experience.
- Meals & Accommodation Transfers: We take care of logistics, offering pickup/drop-off services and organising meals during your trip.
- First Aid & Safety: All our guides are trained in first aid, and we ensure a safe and healthy environment, including adherence to COVID-19 safety measures.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Your peace of mind is important to us, which is why we provide full insurance coverage for all our tours.
- Entrance Tickets & Permits: All necessary entrance tickets and permits are included in our tour packages, so you can focus on the experience without any extra fees.
Ready to join us?
If you’re ready to join us for an incredible herping experience—whether it’s a half-day tour, a full day targeting lifers, an extended specialist trip, or learning more about our major tours—click the button below to complete our booking form.
To speak directly with our team, you can email us at [email protected] or get in touch on WhatsApp / Zalo at (+84) 328 955 019. We’re also happy to arrange a consultation with one of our expert herping tour guides in advance, either by phone, Zoom, or an online appointment.
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
Still have questions? Get in touch with us directly
- [email protected]
- WhatsApp / Zalo: (+84) 328 955 019
- Frequently Asked Questions
