Birdwatching in Vietnam, Laos & Thailand: The Ultimate Southeast Asia Birding Adventure

Written by Tony Bùi – Founder & Chief Experience Officer of Legend Travel Group, with over 20 years guiding more than 100,000 international travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide is crafted from real birding trips, guest feedback and our own professional bird-guide team.

=> Cultural Capitals of Southeast Asia Tour 21-Day

=> Grand Indochina and Thailand Adventure 25-Day

=> Explore Southeast Asia: A Multi-Country Tour 22-Day

Southeast Asia’s mainland triangle is one of the planet’s richest birding hotspots. From the misty Annamite mountains to the mighty Mekong floodplains and the limestone karsts of northern Thailand, these three countries together host over 1,300 species – including 70+ endemics and near-endemics that cannot be seen anywhere else on Earth.

Whether you are chasing the colourful pittas of Cat Tien, the giant hornbills of Khao Yai, or the rare Bare-faced Bulbul in Laos’s limestone forests, a multi-country birding journey with Legend Travel Group guarantees comfort, expert spotting and the highest ethical standards.

Book with total peace of mind: only 10 % deposit required, final payment 30 days before departure.

1. Cat Tien National Park – Vietnam
   Giant Nuthatch, Orange-breasted Trogon, Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Blue-rumped & Bar-bellied Pitta
   Best season: Dec–Apr

2. Cuc Phuong National Park – Vietnam
   Limestone Wren-Babbler, Red-collared Woodpecker, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Eared Pitta
   Best season: Feb–May

3. Bach Ma National Park – Vietnam
   Annam Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo (rare), Chestnut-headed Partridge
   Best season: Mar–Jun

4. Nam Bai Cat Tien & Deo Nui San Pass – Vietnam
   Indochinese endemics: Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Grey-faced Tit-Babbler, Dalat Shrike-Babbler

5. Nam Et-Phou Louey NP – Laos
   Bare-faced Bulbul (Laos endemic), Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush
   Best season: Nov–Apr

6. Xe Pian & Dong Hua Sao NBCA – Laos
   Yellow-vented Green Pigeon, White-rumped Falcon, Red-headed Trogon, Mekong Wagtail

7. Khao Yai National Park – Thailand
   Siamese Fireback, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Great & Wreathed Hornbill, Silver Pheasant
   Best season: Nov–Mar

8. Kaeng Krachan National Park – Thailand
   Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Kalij Pheasant, Long-tailed & Silver-breasted Broadbill
   Best season: Dec–Apr

9. Doi Inthanon & Doi Ang Khang – Northern Thailand
   Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant, Spectacled Barwing, Green Cochoa, Fire-tailed Sunbird

10. Doi Lang & Doi Pha Hom Pok – Thailand
    Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Whiskered Yuhina, Himalayan Cutia, Ultramarine Flycatcher

• Greet local guides with a friendly “xin chào” (Vietnam), “sabaidee” (Laos) or “sawasdee” (Thailand) and a smile.

• Dress in earth-tone clothing; avoid bright colours that scare birds.

• Keep noise to an absolute minimum near hides and nesting sites.

• Never use playback excessively – our guides follow strict ethical guidelines.

• Support village communities by buying local handicrafts (fair price, no bargaining pressure).

All tours include:

• Private air-conditioned birding van with roof hatch

• Professional English-speaking bird guide (10–20 years experience)

• All permits & national-park fees

• High-quality Swarovski or Zeiss spotting scope

• Daily bird checklist & eBird submission

• Flexible payment: only 10 % deposit, balance 30 days before departure

14-Day Ultimate Indochina Birding (Vietnam → Laos → Thailand)

Target species: 450–550
Route: Cat Tien → Bach Ma → Nam Et-Phou Louey → Khao Yai → Kaeng Krachan → Doi Inthanon
From US$ 3,680 per person (private tour)

10-Day Vietnam Endemics Special

Cat Tien, Cuc Phuong, Bach Ma, Deo Nui San
Target: 380–450 species including all Annamite endemics
From US$ 2,480 per person

7-Day Northern Thailand Winter Escape

Doi Inthanon, Doi Ang Khang, Doi Lang, Chiang Dao
Target: 300–380 species including Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant
From US$ 1,880 per person

9-Day Southern Laos Limestone Special

Xe Pian, Dong Hua Sao, Bolaven Plateau
Target Bare-faced Bulbul & Mekong Wagtail
From US$ 2,280 per person

Custom itineraries always available – just tell us your target list!

• Lightweight, quick-dry earth-tone clothing

• Leech-proof socks & gaiters (wet season)

• Quality binoculars (8×42 or 10×42)

• Rain cover for optics

• Headlamp with red-light mode

• Reusable water bottle (we provide refill stations)

• Lightweight rain jacket

• Sunscreen & insect repellent (DEET-free preferred)

Only 10 % deposit required – keep your peace of mind until 30 days before departure.

• Fly into Hanoi, Bangkok or Vientiane – we arrange seamless airport pickup.

• Combine countries easily: Hanoi → Vientiane (direct flight) or Bangkok → Siem Reap → Ho Chi Minh.

• Best photography light at dawn–9 am and 4 pm–dusk.

• Stay hydrated – we provide unlimited drinking water in the van.

• All our vehicles have charging ports and cool boxes.

How many species can I realistically see?
400–600+ species on a well-planned 14-day trip with Legend Travel Group.

Do I need to be an expert birder?
No. We design tours for every level – from first-time birders to photographers chasing lifers.

Is it safe for solo female birders?
Absolutely. All our guides are licensed, vetted, and many of our guests travel solo with us every year.

What if I want to add photography or mammal watching?
Just let us know – we regularly combine birding with leopard cats, gibbons, elephants and even Irrawaddy dolphins.

How do I book?
Click the orange button below or WhatsApp +84 825 862 222 – we answer within minutes.**

Every Legend Travel Group birding tour:

• Employs only local bird guides (fair wages, full insurance)

• Uses carbon-offset transport

• Supports village conservation projects

• Leaves no trace in protected areas

• Contributes to nest-protection programs in Cat Tien and Khao Yai

Book now with only 10 % deposit → final payment 30 days before departure.
Your dream Indochina bird list starts here!

Ready to tick off pittas, hornbills and laughingthrushes?
Contact us today → https://www.legendtravelgroup.com/contact-us