Topography and hydrology

Tam Dao National Park is located in Son Duong district, Tuyen Quang province, Dai Tu district, Thai Nguyen province, and Lap Thach, Tam Dao and Me Linh districts, Vinh Yen province. The national park lies along a mountainous massif, which runs from north-west to south-east. This massif is isolated from high-elevation areas to the north and west by intervening areas of low elevation. There are several peaks over 1,300 m in elevation in the national park, the highest of which is Mount Tam Dao Bac at 1,592 m. The lowest point in the national park is c.100 m. Tam Dao National Park lies in the catchment of two main rivers: the north-east face of the massif lies in the catchment of the Cong river, while the southwest face lies in the catchment of the Day river. Most of the streams and rivers in the national park are steep, and fast flowing. Tam Dao experiences a tropical monsoon climate. The mean annual rainfall is around 2,800 mm and concentrated in the rain season from April to October, when 90% of the total rainfall occurs. During the dry season, rainfall and humidity at higher elevations can be very low, making these areas susceptible to forest fire.

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.

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.

Most highlights

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

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') but is currently being upgraded into a road. Short-tailed Parrotbill and Blue-naped Pitta used to be seen along this route but is unclear whether this will continue to be the case, after the road construction is completed.

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