Tien National Park – Bird List.
Arguably the top birding site in Vietnam, Cat Tien National Park is located in Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc provinces, in the lowlands of southern Vietnam. The topography of the site is characterised by a flat plain in the west, and low, gentle hills in the east. The major vegetation types in the park are lowland semi-evergreen forest and lowland evergreen forest, although the park also supports extensive swamps and other wetlands.
Birding highlights : Orange-necked Partridge, Germain's Peacock Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl, Wreathed Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant, Woolly-necked Stork and Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas.
 
Bird fauna : Cat Tien supports one of the most intact lowland forest avifaunas in Vietnam. Most notably, there are confirmed records of 16 globally threatened and near-threatened bird species from the national park, the highest total for any protected area in Vietnam. Cat Tien supports all three restricted-range species that define the South Vietnamese Lowlands Endemic Bird Area: Orange-necked Partridge, Germain's Peacock Pheasant and Grey-faced Tit Babbler. Cat Tien is also one of the best sites in Vietnam to see Green Peafowl. Woodpeckers are well represented with 17 species recorded for the park.

Other features : Large mammals, primates, Siamese Crocodile.

Transportation : Car or motorbike. Cat Tien is about 3 hours by road from Ho Chi Minh City. The site is situated off National Highway 20 between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat. The turning to the park is at Milestone No.174 in Tan Phu town, and is signposted "Cat Tien National Park - 24 km". Buses between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat, organised by Kim Café, tel: (84 88) 369 85, can stop at Tan Phu.
Accommodation :  A range of visitor accommodation is available at the park headquarters, and it is also possible to stay at Bau Sau, a ranger station in the heart of the park. An entrance fee is charged and English-speaking guides are available.

Permission : No special permission is required to visit the Nam Cat Tien sector of the national park. Visitors must register at the park reception before crossing the Dong Nai River and entering the park.

Birding routes :
The Lagerstroemia and Ecological Trails, which begin near the park headquarters are good places to search for Germain’s Peacock Pheasant and pittas. The Dak Lua road may provide easier birding, especially early in the day when broadbills and Siamese Fireback can be seen.
Jeeps can be rented ($12 return) to the turn off to Bau Sau (Crocodile Lake) and Bau Chim (Bird Lake). Green Peafowl and waterbirds can be seen around these lakes, as well as Siamese Crocodile and, for the fortunate visitor, large mammals such as Gaur. The 5 km trail from the Dak Lua road to Bau Sao is also a good place for Germain’s Peacock Pheasant and pittas.

Contact details : 
Cat Tien National Park Office, Tel.: +(84 61) 791228.

Bird list: