Topography and hydrology

Mount Fan Si Pan in the Hoang Lien mountains, which, at 3,143 m asl, is the highest peak in Vietnam. The IBA comprises Hoang Lien Son National Park in Lao Cai province and Hoang Lien Son-Lai Chau proposed nature reserve in Lai Chau province. The topography of the IBA is dominated by a high ridge of mountains including several peaks above 2,800 m asl. The major natural habitat types at the IBA are lower montane evergreen forest and upper montane evergreen forest. At higher elevations, on ridge crests, there are extensive elfin forest formations dominated by conifers and Rhododendron spp. At lower elevations, the natural vegetation has been extensively cleared by shifting cultivation and forest fire, and replaced by secondary bamboo and scrub. Almost no natural forest remains below 1,000 m asl.

About 350 species have been recorded in this area. The avifauna of the area has strong Himalayan affinities, and includes many species that are known from few or no other sites in Vietnam, such as Gould's Shortwing, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Crested Finchbill and White-collared Yuhina. Although bird richness is high, abundance, particularly of medium-sized birds, is low, relative to certain other forest areas in Vietnam, and a considerable amount of effort is needed to see a high proportion of the area's specialities.

Most highlights

Beautiful Nuthatch, Red-tailed, White-browed and Black-faced Laughingthrushes, Streaked and Spectacled Barwings, Blue-winged, Chestnut-tailed and Red-tailed Minlas, Black-headed Sibia, Vinous-throated, Ashy-throated and Golden Parrotbills, Mrs Gould's Sunbird and Black-headed Greenfinch.

Birding routes

Ham Rong Orchid Garden: The Ham Rong Orchid Garden is found behind Sa Pa town, with access to it along the road behind the church. The garden comprises a series of ornamental gardens, linked by pathways, all of which reward careful exploration for birds. With a bit of searching, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, White-browed Laughingthrush and Ashy-throated and Vinous-throated Parrotbills can be found year-round, while, during the winter, the site is good for passerine migrants.

Fan Si Pan mountain: All three trails to the summit of Fan Si Pan mountain (from Cat Cat village, Sin Chai village and Tram Ton pass) are good for montane species, particularly higher elevations. The trails are difficult going in places, and can be dangerous during bad weather. Therefore, it is inadvisable to attempt any of these routes without a guide, or to attempt them at all during the rainy season.

Transportation

Car (10 hours) or train (overnight) from Hanoi to Lao Cai town, from where Sa Pa is one hour by road.

Accommodations

Numerous hotels and restaurants in town