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09 Apr,27

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17 Apr,27

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Location

Ho Chi Minh City

Duration

9D/8N

$ 1,940$ 2,250

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1 Rating & Review

$1,940$ 2,250

1 Rating & Review

Book Now

Overview

Embark on an 8 Nights, 9 Days Exotic Bird Photography Expedition to Vietnam, exploring the rich avian biodiversity of Dong Nai, Cat Tien National Park, Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, Di Linh Plateau, and the highlands around Da Lat City. A paradise for bird photographers, this tour offers incredible opportunities to capture Vietnam’s endemic and rare bird species in lush tropical landscapes.

This premium expedition is part of Nature Tales, an exclusive series of photography learning experiences curated by DCP Expeditions and powered by Canon India, bringing together renowned photographers and Canon technology experts to offer world-class mentorship in the field.

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About The Tour

Join DCP Expeditions on an unforgettable 8 nights, 9 days bird photography masterclass expedition to Vietnam, a rising gem in Southeast Asia’s birding map. This exclusive guided tour takes you through some of the most biodiverse regions of the country - Dong Nai, Cat Tien National Park, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Di Linh Plateau, and the highland forests around Dalat City - each offering spectacular opportunities for photographing Vietnam’s endemic, rare, and migratory birds.

Vietnam is home to over 850 bird species, and this expedition is specially curated to maximize sightings and photography of many of the region’s sought-after avian species in their natural habitats. From vibrant tropical forests to cool montane woodlands, every location offers a diverse backdrop and unique lighting conditions to elevate your nature photography.

Your journey begins in Dong Nai and Cat Tien National Park, where lush lowland forests echo with the calls of Bar-bellied Pittas, Germain’s Peacock-Pheasants, and Orange-necked Partridges. The adventure continues to the highland regions of Bidoup Nui Ba and Di Linh Plateau, known for specialties like Vietnamese Cutia, Grey-crowned Crocias, and the Collared Laughingthrush. The final leg around Dalat City features rich montane forests, ideal for photographing Short-tailed Scimitar Babblers, Black-hooded Laughingthrushes, and Red Crossbills.

Throughout the expedition, DCP’s expert photography mentor and local birding guide will be by your side to help you with tracking, framing, lighting, and fine-tuning your compositions. Whether you’re looking to build your birding portfolio, chase endemics, or simply immerse yourself in Vietnam’s magical wilderness, this expedition promises the perfect blend of adventure, learning, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Target Species 

Bar-bellied Pitta, Blue-rumped Pitta, Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Orange-necked Partridge, Grey-faced Tit-Babbler, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler, Collared Laughingthrush, Red Crossbill, Vietnamese Cutia, Indochinese Green Magpie, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Silver-breasted Broadbill

Quick Information

Route:

Ho Chi Minh City

Start Point:

Ho Chi Minh City

Duration:

8 nights 9 days

End Point:

Ho Chi Minh City

Inclusions

  • Vietnam - a paradise for wildlife photographers for its endemic species of birds and primates
  • 12 endemic species, more than 250 native species and more than 30 migratory birds species
  • Expert and experienced guide and naturalist, speaking fluent English
  • Hands on practical training by senior panel expert
  • All accomodation and meals
  • All internal transfers

Experts

How To Reach

Recommended flights are Vietnam Airlines or Vietjet Air or Indigo arriving at Ho Chi Minh City by early morning on Day 1 and Vietnam Airlines or Vietjet Air from Ho Chi Minh City by evening on last day.

**We recommend Flexi flight option for greater flexibility in unforeseen cancellations.

Not applicable

Not applicable

Getting Ready

Things to carry:

Getting Ready & Gear Recommendations

  • Telephoto lenses with a focal length of 400 mm or higher are highly recommended for bird photography. Wider the maximum aperture (f/2.8 o0r f/4), the better.
  • Carry multiple fully charged batteries for your camera, along with battery chargers
  • Bring sufficient backup memory cards; carrying a laptop is optional but a card reader is recommended
  • A sturdy tripod with a suitable head (gimbal heads are ideal) will help achieve stable shots
  • Carry basic medications along with any personal prescriptions
  • Use mosquito repellents to stay protected, especially while shooting in hides
  • Binoculars are optional but can be useful for spotting distant subjects

If you do not own suitable equipment, DCP’s equipment support division offers gear on rental. For details, write to rentals@dcpexpeditions.com

Weather & Clothing:

Cat Tien is hot and humid, so carry lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking clothing. Dalat, Bidoup–Nui Ba, and Di Linh are at higher elevations with pleasant weather; light clothing is sufficient, with an extra layer recommended for cooler evenings Carry rain protection for yourself and your gear, as light drizzles are expected during this period

Food & Meal Options (For Indian Travellers)

Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Vietnamese meal options will be available throughout the tour. Vegetarian participants can expect dishes such as rice, noodles, sautéed vegetables, tofu preparations, and simple continental options. Non-vegetarian options will include meat, fish, eggs, and local Vietnamese preparations, along with mild continental dishes. Participants with specific dietary requirements are advised to inform us in advance so that suitable arrangements can be made wherever possible

Vaccination Guidelines

Currently, Vietnam does not require any specific vaccinations for travelers. COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory. However, we recommend checking the latest travel advisories and requirements closer to your departure date.

Visa Requirements (Vietnam e-Visa)

  • Apply through the official Vietnam e-visa portal: https://evisa.gov.vn
  • Fill in your personal details and upload a digital copy of your passport along with a photograph
  • Make the payment online using a credit or debit card
  • Your e-visa will typically be processed and sent via email within 7–10 working days

Recommended International Flights

(Not included in the package. We can assist with bookings if required)

  • Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City by afternoon on Day 1 via Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, or IndiGo. Please note the Checkin time in the hotel is 2:00PM.
  • Depart from Ho Chi Minh City on the final day via an evening flight (preferably after 8:00PM)
  • For assistance or guidance with flight bookings, please feel free to contact us

Itinerary

We will receive you at the airport as you land in HCM city. Our representative will meet you at column no. 12 as you walk out of the main gate. You will be escorted to Thanh Long Hotel / Similar. Rest of the day is free. Before dinner, our expert will explain you the biodiversity around the area, the various photography opportunities in the hides, trails both in the day and night and the overall plan for the next 8 days.

Dinner and overnight at Thanh Long Hotel / Similar. 

Wake up at 5:00 am. We will grab a quick bite with tea / coffee and then head towards the forest of Dong Nai Nature Reserve. The target species for today are Bar-bellied Pitta, Black and red broadbill, silver-breasted broadbill, banded kingfisher, Blue eared kingfisher, Siamese fireback, Laced woodpecker, Common flame back etc. Additionally, we may also see and photograph 4 species of babblers, 2 species of sunbirds and Drongos (white faced, ashy, greater racket-tailed). We will have a late lunch today and by 4:00 pm, we will drive ahead to Cat Tien National Park. The road drive is of approximately 2:30 hours. Complete check-in formalities, freshen up and meet for the dinner.

Dinner and overnight at Green Bamboo Hotel at Cat Tien NP.

Wake up early at 5:00 am. After grabbing a quick bite with tea / coffee, we will head towards the forest. The Cat Tien National Park is one of the two largest national parks of Vietnam, with hot and humid evergreen, broadleaf forest, or bamboo forest mixed with broadleaf trees and sometimes deciduous dipetocarp forests of Asia. 

Today’s activities will include exploring the forest trails as well as some of the amazing hides in this forest. The target species for today are Germain’s peacock pheasant, Siamese fireback, Scaly breasted partridge, Bar-bellied Pitta, Blue-rumped Pitta, Grey-faced Tit-babbler, Slaty legged Crake etc. After the hide session of the morning is done, we will have trails looking for birds. Some native birds that is possible to be spotted on trails include Heart spotted Woodpecker, Black and buff woodpecker, Green eared barbet, Lineated barbet, Blue eared barbet, Black hooded Oriole, Blue bearded bee-eater etc. Return to the hotel for lunch and then take some rest.

Dinner and overnight at Green Bamboo Hotel at Cat Tien NP.

Wake up at 5:00 am. A long day ahead today on the trails and hides. After grabbing a quick bite, we will head towards the forest. Possible target species include Black and Red broadbill, Banded Broadbill, Black hooded Oriole, Orange-breasted Trogon, Indochinese Cuckoo-shrike,  Blue winged leafbird, Golden fronted leafbird, Ruby cheeked Sunbird, Van hasselts sunbird, Grey breasted Prinia, Violet Cuckoo, Great Iora, Common Iora, large woodshrike etc. We have a possibility of Black shanked Douc photography today if we are lucky. During the night trails, we will explore the nearby forest area for owls.

Dinner and overnight at Green Bamboo Hotel at Cat Tien NP.

We will do morning birding at Cat Tien NP and then move to Dalat city. Target species for today are Green peafowl, Chinese francolin, pigeons and doves, lapwing, Wolly-necked Stork, warblers. We also have a possibility of Yellow checked Gibbon photography today. After our birding at Cat Tien, we will travel to Dalat City. Lunch will be on the way to Dalat city. In the afternoon, we will visit the first birding hotspot of Dalat looking for Annam sunbird, Langbian Sunbird, Swinhoe's white-eye, Plain Minla, Chestnut vented Nuthatch, Langbian Tit and many more.

Dinner and overnight at Thienly hotel at Dalat city.

Wake up early in the morning at 5:00 am. After grabbing a quick bite, we will head towards 2 more birding hotspot around Dalat city. The various bird species that you will be able to photograph include Collared laughingthrush, Indo Chinese Wren Babler, Grey crowned crocias, Black hooded laughingthrushes, Vietnamese Cutia and Vietnamese Greenfinch, Black crowned fulvetta, Yellow billed nuthatch and many more. After lunch, we will travel to Bidoup Nui Ba NP to visit the very popular hide for Crossbills.

Dinner and overnight at Thienly hotel at Dalat city.

Wake up early in the morning at 5:00 am. After grabbing a quick bite, we will head towards the birding locations of Bidoup Nui Ba NP. We will explore the trails in the morning for Necklaced Barbet and Plumbeous water-redstart. We will be at the bird-hides for Collared laughingthrush, Black-crowned fulvetta, Black-hooded laughingthrush, White cheeked laughingthrush, Indochinese green magpie, Large Niltava, White-tailed Robin, Mountain fulvetta, Black-headed Sibia. After lunch, we will visit the hide for: spotted forktail, slaty-backed forktail, Grey-bellied Tesia, Pygmy wren babbler, Chestnut-crowned babbler, Brown-throated Treecreeper, White-browed Scimitar-babbler, Rusty-naped Pitta. We will travel back to Dalat hotel in the evening and reach back by 7:00pm.

Dinner and overnight at Thienly hotel at Dalat city.

Have early morning breakfast at 6:00 am , vist Vietnamese cutia spots and then leave to Di Linh city. We will visit the hide for Blue pitta, Bar-backed partridge, Indochinese green magpie, Puff-throated Bulbul, Blue whistling thrush, Annam streaked Wren-babbler. After lunch, we will visit the other birding areas of Di Linh for Black-headed Parrotbill, Red-headed trogon, Long-tailed Broadbill, Black-chinned Yuhina, Red-billed Scimitar babbler. 

Overnight at Di Linh town Xanh resort

Early morning visit to hide for Blue pitta, Indochinese green magpie and then trails for Red vented barbet, Annam prinia etc. You will be transported to HCM City depending on your return flight time. Our bird photography expedition ends here and we head back to catch our respective flights.

Field Learnings

  • Framing birds in natural perches and difficult lighting situations
  • Understanding tropical forest bird behavior and habitat preferences
  • How to use hides to achieve stunning bird portraits
  • Post-processing techniques tailored for bird photography
  • Exclusive tips to make your images publication-ready or award-winning

Package Cost

1940 USD per head (Ex HCM city)
(INR equivalent of 1940 USD to be paid as on date of transaction)

Cost includes

  • Transfer from and to the airport (arrival and departure).
  • All overnight stays during the tour
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tablewater
  • Expert local naturalist during the trip
  • Driver, vehicles including gasoline
  • Hands on experience on latest cameras and lenses from Canon
  • Entrance fees for planned destinations, protected areas and national parks
  • Local forest guides in national parks, reserves and other protected areas.

Cost doesn't include

  • Long haul international flights & domestic flights
  • Personal hotel expenses (for example, having laundry done).
  • Individual excursions not included in the itinerary
  • Travel insurances (international health, accident, luggage, return travel insurance, travel cancellation insurance)
  • Tips

Applicable TCS (Tax Collected at Source):

As per Section 206C(1G) of the Income-tax Act, sellers of Overseas Tour Programme Packages are required to collect Tax Collected at Source (TCS) from the buyer. Effective 1 April 2026, TCS is applicable at a flat rate of 2% on the total value of the overseas tour package, irrespective of the package value. The earlier threshold of ₹10 lakh and the higher 20% rate no longer apply to overseas tour packages. The collected TCS will be deposited with the Government of India within the prescribed timelines. Please note that TCS is not an additional cost. It is an advance tax collected on your behalf and will be reflected in your Form 26AS / Annual Information Statement (AIS). You can claim credit for the TCS while filing your Income Tax Return, where it will be adjusted against your final tax liability or refunded, if applicable.

Map

Cat Tien National Park

Policies

Cancellation policy

  • Cancellations 90 days or more prior to departure - 10% cancellation fee
  • Cancellations between 61 to 90 days prior to departure - 25% cancellation fee.
  • Cancellations between 46 to 60 days prior to departure - 50% cancellation fee.
  • Cancellations within 45 days of departure - non-refundable.

Disclaimer – Force Majeure

The organizer shall not be liable for any delay, change, cancellation, loss, or additional expenses caused by natural calamities, adverse weather, government restrictions, transport disruptions, or any other force majeure events beyond its control. Any itinerary changes made for participant safety shall be binding. Any additional costs arising from such circumstances shall be borne by the participants, and no refund or compensation shall be payable for affected or unused services.

FAQ's

Yes. Please write to us on info@dcpexpeditions.com as it is subject to availability.

Yes you are welcome. However, the cost remains same for non photographers.

Vietnam - Bird Photography Expedition, Apr 2027

Reviews

  0 Ratings & 1 Reviews

I was so excited when I heard about DCP’s birding tour to to Vietnam as I had not done an exclusive birding tour in many years. Every aspect of the tour, be it the various destinations, the stay , on field tips, off field discussions were so perfect that at the end of the tour I was still excited and wanting more. Never a dull moment as we ticked off close to 100 different bird species, everyone a lifer for me. Bird lovers - I would highly recommend this trip organised by DCP

Read More
  • Sheila Verghis
  • 5, Nov 2025 09:45:30 am
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