Hanoi City Herping Tour
Tour Itineraries
Tailor-made tour (Private Tour): At Viet Herping, we understand every guest has unique expectations and schedules. We proudly offer customized Hanoi City Herping Tours designed around your preferences. Whether you're planning a spontaneous wildlife adventure or organizing your trip months in advance, our expert team is ready to deliver an exceptional experience. Explore Vietnam’s vibrant reptile life at your own pace with our carefully tailored itineraries, ensuring you never miss an exciting wildlife encounter.
Introduction
Discover the excitement of Vietnam’s urban wildlife on our Hanoi City Herping Tour, a unique wildlife-watching experience tailored for those eager to explore reptiles and amphibians close to the city. Perfect for travelers with limited time, this day trip immerses you in the fascinating world of Vietnam’s herpetofauna without the need for lengthy travel. Guided by seasoned experts in reptile and amphibian biology, the tour highlights encounters with the iconic Hanoi cobra (Naja atra), offering a safe and educational glimpse into its natural behavior. This compact yet thrilling journey is an ideal choice for anyone seeking an authentic herping Vietnam adventure and a closer connection with the country’s rich urban wildlife. Join us to experience one of the best Vietnam herping tours, combining expert guidance with unforgettable wildlife encounters right on Hanoi’s doorstep.
Featured Activities
Explore Northern Vietnam’s Vibrant Wildlife :
Embark on the ultimate Hanoi Herping Tour with Viet Herping and uncover the vibrant wildlife thriving just beyond the city’s historic streets. This thrilling wildlife adventure immerses you in the diverse ecosystems of Northern Vietnam, guided by expert herpetologists who reveal rare reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitats.
Journey Through Hanoi’s Historic and Scenic Landscapes:
Your journey will take you across iconic cultural landmarks, including ancient century-old bridges and the sprawling, serene landscapes along the Red River’s rocky shores. These breathtaking backdrops provide not only rich biodiversity but also stunning photographic opportunities, perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and nature photographers alike.
Taste Authentic Hanoi Flavors and Enjoy Nocturnal Wildlife:
Savor authentic Hanoi flavors with a taste of the legendary Bánh mì dân tổ, a local specialty exclusive to Hanoi, fueling your exploration through lush forests and peaceful riverbanks. Alongside herping, experience nocturnal owl watching and vibrant birding excursions that showcase the region’s remarkable wildlife diversity.
Support Conservation While Experiencing Unique Wildlife:
Recognized by leading publications like VnExpress, our Hanoi Wildlife Watching Tour is more than an adventure—it’s a commitment to conservation. By joining, you support ongoing efforts alongside Viet Snake Rescuer to protect Vietnam’s unique herpetofauna while enjoying a cultural and wildlife journey unlike any other.
Snake Species You May Encounter
Non-venomous Snakes:
Chrysopelea ornata – Ornate Flying Snake
Ptyas korros – Indo-Chinese Rat Snake
Ptyas mucosa – Oriental Rat Snake
Fowlea flavipunctata - Yellow-spotted keelback
Coelognathus radiatus - Radiated ratsnake
Xenopeltis unicolor - Sunbeam snake
The snakes listed here are just a small sample of the many non-venomous species you can discover in this area.
Coelognathus radiatus - Radiated ratsnake
The Radiated Ratsnake (Coelognathus radiatus) is a striking species frequently spotted on the Hanoi Herping Tour. Its beautiful, intricate pattern of dark radiating bands makes it a standout among Vietnam’s reptiles. Often found gracefully navigating urban green spaces and forest edges, this non-venomous snake offers a fascinating glimpse into Hanoi’s unique herpetofauna. Encountering it is a highlight for any herping enthusiast seeking both beauty and adventure.
Xenopeltis unicolor - Sunbeam snake
The Sunbeam Snake (Xenopeltis unicolor) is a mesmerizing highlight of the Hanoi Herping Tour. Known for its smooth, iridescent scales that shimmer like a sunbeam, this elusive, non-venomous species captivates wildlife enthusiasts with its unique beauty. Often found burrowing in moist soils near water sources, encountering the Sunbeam Snake offers an unforgettable glimpse into the hidden wonders of Hanoi’s reptile diversity.
Venomous Snakes:
Naja atra - Chinese Cobra
Bungarus multicinctus - Many-banded krait
The snakes listed here are just a small sample of the many non-venomous species you can discover in this area.
Bungarus multicinctus - Many-banded krait
The Many-banded Krait is a stunning yet highly venomous snake admired on Vietnam herping tours. Its striking black and white bands create a dramatic pattern that captivates herping enthusiasts. Known for its nocturnal and elusive nature, encountering this krait offers a thrilling and respectful glimpse into Vietnam’s rich snake biodiversity, safely guided by experts.
Naja atra - Chinese Cobra
The Chinese Cobra is a charismatic and iconic snake frequently spotted during herping adventures. Its smooth, glossy hood and intimidating defensive display make it unforgettable. Despite its potent venom, this snake is generally shy. Viet Herping’s guided tours provide a safe, educational experience, allowing close observation of this fascinating species in its natural habitat.
Handle Venomous Snake: Safety First and Expert Guidance
Handling venomous snakes requires utmost caution, specialized knowledge, and professional tools. At Viet Herping, we prioritize your safety by ensuring all interactions with venomous species are supervised by experienced herpetologists. Using secure handling equipment and proven techniques, our guides enable you to observe or even gently interact with these fascinating reptiles without risk.
This controlled, respectful approach allows wildlife enthusiasts to experience the thrill of getting close to some of Vietnam’s most dangerous snakes—like cobras and vipers—while maintaining full safety. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced herper, proper handling protocols are key to a memorable and secure herping adventure.
Other Reptiles

Amphibian Species You May Encounter


Why Book the Hanoi City Herping Tour with Viet Herping?
Exclusive Urban Wildlife Encounters
Discover a hidden world of diverse reptiles just beyond Hanoi’s busy streets, including rare and fascinating snake species thriving in this unique urban wilderness. Our expertly designed tour routes maximize your chances of witnessing these elusive creatures in their natural habitats, delivering an unparalleled herping experience right near Hanoi city.Guides Who Enrich Your Journey
Our passionate local guides are not only skilled trackers but also dedicated wildlife educators with extensive field expertise. Their keen observation and engaging stories transform every herping excursion into an insightful adventure, helping you appreciate the behavior and ecological roles of Hanoi’s remarkable reptiles.Trusted Conservation Partner and Official Recognition
Viet Herping is proud to be the only herping company officially recognized by Vietnam’s government media, demonstrating our commitment to professionalism and authenticity. In close collaboration with Viet Snake Rescuer, we prioritize sustainable tourism and actively contribute to conservation efforts that protect Vietnam’s fragile reptile habitats. By joining us, you support meaningful wildlife preservation while enjoying an unforgettable herping tour in Hanoi.Read more about our Hanoi Herping Tour in VnExpress here: Under the Moonlight: Cobra Watching in Hanoi
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Start time: 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM
(The Hanoi City Herping Tour may extend if we have not yet encountered any snakes, ensuring you get the most from your adventure.)After the herping trip:
We will savor some of Hanoi’s traditional specialties, such as Bánh Mì Dân Tổ (Dan To bread), Bún Riêu Cua (crab noodle soup), and Bún Ốc (snail noodle soup), giving you a delicious taste of local cuisine to complete the experience.
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Groups of 4 or more: 5% discount
Returning customers receive a 7% discount
Contact us for the detailed pricing
Included In The Tour
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Transportation(15km radius is covered)
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Herpetologist guide (fluent in English)
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Food and water (includes traditional meal after the tour)
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Raincoat
Flashlight
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In this tour, we apply the Optimize Encounter Percentage (OEP) policy to ensure you have the highest chance of encountering the reptiles.
In short, we do our best to maximize the likelihood of encountering targeted species on this tour, which is Chinese Cobra (Naja Atra).
If no Chinese Cobra is encountered, we offer unlimited free follow-up herping trips, which can take place on any day of your choice, until we encounter the targeted species.
You can see the most recent snake encounter statistics for this tour here
FAQs
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The best time to join the Hanoi City Herping Tour is from late June to early November. This period is ideal for spotting snakes, including species like the Naja atra (Chinese Cobra). During this time, these snakes are most active, providing herping enthusiasts with the highest chance of encountering them in their natural habitat.
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Long-sleeved and long-legged clothing: You should wear this kind of clothes to protect yourself from insects
Flashlight: You must bring your own flashlight, and its battery should be able to be used for at least 5 hours
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Our herpetologist guide has many years of experience handling venomous snakes. He will manage all interactions from a safe distance to ensure your safety.