Summary

The Mekong Delta supports an exceptional mosaic of freshwater wetlands, seasonally flooded grasslands, cajuput forest, rice landscapes and coastal mudflats. It is especially important for waterbirds and migratory shorebirds, with key areas including Tram Chim and the Go Cong coast.

The Mekong Delta is Vietnam's most diverse wetland birding region, combining seasonally flooded grasslands, freshwater marshes, melaleuca forest, river systems, coastal mudflats and traditional salt-pan landscapes. More than 350 bird species have been recorded across the wider delta, with waterbirds and migratory shorebirds providing the strongest birding focus. Because the key sites are widely separated, the delta is best thought of as a network of complementary destinations rather than a single birding locality.

Tram Chim National Park is the best-known inland wetland and is closely associated with Sarus Crane and large concentrations of storks, ibises, ducks and other waterbirds. The Tan Thanh/Go Cong coastal mudflats are among Vietnam's most important shorebird areas and are a key site for Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmann's Greenshank. Tra Su provides flooded-forest birding near Chau Doc, while Bac Lieu and other bird sanctuaries hold breeding colonies of herons, egrets, cormorants and storks. Road access and accommodation are generally easy throughout the region, allowing individual sites to be visited in one or two days or combined into a longer wetland-focused itinerary.

Grassland habitat for waterbirds in Tram Chim National Park

Most highlights

Sarus Crane, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordman's Greenshank, Asian Golden Weaver and lots of waterbirds

Birding routes

Birding in the Mekong Delta is relatively easy as the habitats are mainly open, coastal tidal mudflats, grassland, or canals. Birders can visit these sites for 1 or 2 days. Some key birding sites in the Mekong delta as follows:

Tram Chim National Park

Located near Tram Chim town, Tam Nong district, Dong Thap province is roughly a 4-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City and 3 hours from Can Tho City. In the dry season (January to May), the Eastern Sarus Crane can be seen in this park. Besides, some rare species like Spot-billed Pelican, Black-headed Ibis, or Comb Duck are also possible. Moreover, large numbers of Glossy Ibis, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Oriental Darter, Cormorants, Ducks, Bitterns, and Egrets are among the more than 200 bird species recorded for this park.

Click here to see the full bird checklist in Tram Chim.

Sarus Crane (VU) is the iconic bird species of Tram Chim National Park

Tan Thanh area/Go Cong coast

Situated in Go Cong Dong commune, Dong Thap province (formerly known as Go Cong district, Tien Giang province), this premier coastal shorebird site offers exceptional accessibility just two hours from Ho Chi Minh City and one hour from My Tho. The area is Vietnam’s top overwintering site for the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper and routinely hosts global rarities such as Nordmann's Greenshank, Chinese Egret, and Far Eastern Curlew, alongside dense aggregations of terns, stints, knots, and sand plovers. Please note that exact shorebird distribution, feeding hotspots, and field access frequently shift in response to daily tidal cycles, coastal land reclamation, and changing local land use.

Click here to see the full bird checklist in the Mekong coast

The globally threatened Spoon-billed Sandpiper (CR) is the most wanted bird in the Mekong Delta

Tra Su Malaleuca Forest

The site is a bird sanctuary near Chau Doc city, An Giang province. For someone who lives or works in Can Tho/Chau Doc, they can spend the weekend enjoying nature with some birding. This area is highlighted by a lot of waterbird species such as Egrets, Herons, Bitterns, Darters, and Cormorants.

Click here to see the full bird checklist in the Tra Su

Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary

It is not far from Bac Lieu city, the site support a great number of species, they make up for it in abundance. Thousands of breeding waterbirds were observed in this sanctuary, dominated by Egrets, cormorants, and Black-crowned Night Heron. Other rare species such as Spot-billed Pelican, Black-headed Ibis, and Painted Stork are also possible to observe.

Transportation

Nowadays, the Mekong Delta is highly accessible, with private cars, express buses, and motorbikes all being excellent travel options. Depending on your starting location, you can easily map out the most convenient route to get there.

Accommodation

Comfortable hotels can be found in nearly every town along the route. When visiting Tram Chim National Park, the eco-friendly Wildbird Hotel is the definitive choice for nature enthusiasts, offering stunning panoramic views of the wetlands. For trips to Tan Thanh beach, you can base yourself at the Chuong Duong Hotel in My Tho City or stay locally at the newly opened Minh Nhien Hotel. Finally, the bustling tourist town of Chau Doc offers everything from standard to 5-star accommodations, featuring excellent properties like the Pho Chau and Victoria hotels.

Related tour

• Searching the Mekong Coast for Spoon-billed Sandpiper
• Mekong Delta & Tram Chim National Park Birding and Culture Tour
• Tram Chim National Park Birding Package Tour

More information about the birding sites in Vietnam

• Mang Den - Kon Plong Birding Site
• Da Lat Plateau Birding Site
• Cat Tien National Park Birding Site
• Yok Don National Park Birding Site
• Tam Dao National Park Birding Site
• Sa Pa - Fansipan Mt Birding Site
• Cuc Phuong National Park Birding Site
• Lo Xo Pass Birding Site
• Bach Ma National Park Birding Site
• Sa Mu & Bac Huong Hoa Birding Site
• Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Birding Site
• Tan Phu Forest (Thac Mai) Birding Site
• Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve Birding Site
• Mekong Delta Birding Site