Biodiversity values

According to the investment plan, Tam Dao supports 21,982 ha of natural forest and 1,351 ha of plantation forest. The natural forest is of two main types: lowland evergreen forest and lower montane evergreen forest. Lowland evergreen forest is distributed at elevations between 700 and 800 m. The diversity of tree species in this forest type is high, with the Fabaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Meliaceae, Burseraceae, Myrtaceae and Anacardiaceae families being well represented. This forest type is heavily degraded. Lower montane evergreen forest is distributed above 800 m. Members of the Dipterocarpaceae family are almost entirely absent from this forest type, which is dominated by species in the Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Magnoliaceae, Aceraceae, Theaceae, Hamamelidaceae, Sapotaceae and Ericaceae families. Also in this forest type, a number of conifer species are present, such as Decussocarpus fleuryi, Amentotaxus argotaenia, Podocarpus imbricatus and Fokienia hodginsii. In addition to the two main forest types, Tam Dao National Park supports 669 ha of elfin forest, dominated by species in the Ericaceae and Theaceae families. During field surveys conducted by FIPI in preparation of the investment plan, 490 species of vascular plant, 58 species of mammal, 158 species of bird, 46 species of reptile and 19 species of amphibian were recorded. Many of these species are listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam. One of the most notable species to occur at Tam Dao National Park is Vietnamese Salamander (Paramesotriton deloustali), a globally threatened species, endemic to northern Vietnam. Tam Dao National Park supports some of the highest levels of recorded insect diversity in Vietnam. Although this may partly reflect the high levels of survey effort at Tam Dao compared with other sites.

Bird fauna - Birding

About 100 species have been recorded at Tam Dao, specialities include Purple and Green Cochoas, Chestnut Bulbul, Grey Laughingthrush, Coral-billed and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers and Greater Rufous-headed and Short-tailed Parrotbills. Winter visitors that may turn up here between December and March include Black-breasted, Japanese, Eyebrowed and Grey-backed Thrush and Fujian Niltava.

Click here to see the full bird checklist in Tam Dao

Most highlights

Grey Laughingthrush, Black-throated Laughingthrush, Green and Purpple Cochoas, and Short-tailed Parrotbill

Grey Laughingthrush in Tam Dao NP

Birding routes

The route from Tam Dao town, which lies within the national park, to Rung Rinh has long been the favoured birding route (known as the 'Contour Trail' or 'Water Tank Trail'). Short-tailed Parrotbill and Blue-naped Pitta can be seen along this route 

Television Tower Trail: Walking up the 500 or so steps to the television tower above Tam Dao town, birders may encounter Grey Laughingthrush, Chestnut Bulbul, and, if they are fortunate, Green Cochoa. Be warned: this trail becomes very crowded with noisy students on weekends.

The route to Nung village from behind the park headquarters is a good walk through forest, which may yield Ratchet-tailed Treepie and Black-throated Laughingthrush. Note that permission is required from the national park to walk this route.

Other small trails around the foot of the mountain and along the road to Tam Dao town can turn up Spot-necked Babbler.

Transportation

Car or motorbike. About 60 km from Hanoi.

Accommodations

A famous tourism site, numerous hotels, guesthouses and restaurants

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