Ten members of the Vietnam Wildlife Photography Club embarked on a journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Malaysia to participate in the renowned Fraser’s Hill International Birdrace 2025. As the largest birding and conservation event in Southeast Asia, the competition gathered over 400 participants from 130 teams representing 14 countries. In just its second official appearance of the VWPC, Vietnam surprised the international birding community by securing Second Place in the highest-level category, along with two individual awards.

A Celebration of Biodiversity in the Forests

First held in 1988, the Fraser’s Hill International Birdrace has become an annual magnet for nature lovers and photographers worldwide. Set against the backdrop of pristine forests and a rich biosphere, Fraser’s Hill is known as a haven for wild birds, hosting over 270 species in well-preserved habitats.

The 2025 edition was held on June 21–22, drawing teams from countries with vibrant conservation and birding communities such as Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The event is not only a friendly competition but also a platform to raise awareness about biodiversity conservation.

Nestled four hours from Kuala Lumpur, Fraser’s Hill retains much of its British colonial charm. Its iconic clock tower, draped in vines, marks the center of a town alive with activity eco-tourism exhibits, conservation showcases, cutting-edge camera equipment, bird photo books, and interactive workshops.

Excitement filled every corner of the town. Both children and adults actively supported the 130 participating teams. Contestants hiked forest trails to observe, photograph, and document bird species. All teams were subject to strict verification protocols, including trail checkpoints, timestamped photos, species counts, and field logs. Any use of audio playback or baiting was strictly forbidden, and all observations had to be recorded in English. Vehicles were not allowed even on paved roads encouraging a fully immersive ecological experience.

Hiking steep, leaf-covered trails through dense undergrowth the domain of countless birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects… was the only way to truly explore this natural sanctuary. Along the way, the Vietnamese team encountered breathtaking landscapes: mist-shrouded peaks, rare primates, and vibrantly colored herpetofauna. Most remarkable, however, was the birdlife: raptors, owls, minivets, broadbills, and several endemic species found only in Malaysia. This exceptional biodiversity explains why Fraser’s Hill has hosted this international birdrace for 36 consecutive years, with only a short pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each forest path offered new surprises. The soundscape of birdsong, fluttering wings, rustling leaves, and camera shutters played like a symphony of the wild. Even children under ten, equipped with binoculars, bird books, and field journals, joined their parents on these treks learning, exploring, and connecting with nature.

Many experts hailed the event not just as a competition but as a true festival of conservation.

Vietnam’s Rising Presence on the Global Stage

Despite being founded only in October 2023, the Vietnam Wildlife Photography Club earned Second Place (First Runner-Up) in the Advanced category the highest tier reserved for professional teams. The Vietnamese teams was led by photographer Nguyen Hoai Bao, a lecturer at the University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (also serving as Deputy-chairman of VWPC and Director of Wildtour).

Photographers Le Hoang Men and Hoang The Nhiem were awarded Third Prize and a Consolation Prize, respectively. Vietnam’s exhibition booth, showcasing captivating images of native wild birds, attracted considerable international attention.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association, the Club has quickly established a reputation for professionalism and passion in using photography as a tool for wildlife conservation. When the name 'Vietnamese Crested Argus' Vietnam’s award-winning team was announced, it marked a proud moment for the nation and its emerging influence in international nature photography.

The team's name, inspired by one of Vietnam’s most exquisite endemic bird species, symbolizes the country’s aspiration to reach the global stage. The crested argus, known for its enchanting plumage and long, flowing tail, is a dream species for birders and photographers alike. Yet, according to Nguyen Hoai Bao, fewer than 0.1% of birders worldwide have ever seen one in the wild. Thus, the team’s name also reflects the deeper conservation dreams and commitments shared by its members.

Fraser’s Hill was more than a contest it was an outdoor classroom. With live specimens as educational tools, the event fostered biodiversity awareness through immersive experience. Images of children from diverse backgrounds, binoculars in hand, exploring the forest with their families provided a glimpse of a future where conservation education begins at a young age.

For the Vietnamese team, the birdrace offered more than just awards it was a lesson in organization, community engagement, and the inspirational power of photography. As Colonel Doan Hoai Trung, a renowned photographer and Chairman of the HCMC Photography Association, observed: “Every citizen, driven by love for nature and a passion for photography, can become an ambassador for the wild.”

Returning from Fraser’s Hill: A Vision for the Future

Beyond medals and certificates, the team returned home with deeper insights into conservation, new international relationships, and a firm belief that Vietnam can host similar world-class events in the near future. Steps are already being taken through grassroots conservation efforts and by pioneers like Nguyen Hoai Bao, who has led birding tours across Vietnam for over two decades.

Their Fraser’s Hill experience underscored a key truth: conservation must be community-centered, tied to local livelihoods, and fueled by joy and inspiration. When it becomes a festival where elders, children, artists, and scientists participate together, conservation has its best chance of success in an increasingly industrialized world.

According to the team, this dream is entirely within reach. Vietnam is home to exceptional biodiversity, rare endemic bird species, and a growing number of passionate individuals dedicated to living in harmony with nature.

Encouragingly, Vietnam has already hosted two successful birdraces at Tram Chim National Park (Dong Thap) in 2024 and at Bidoup Nui Ba National Park (Lam Dong) in 2025. With sustained support and collaboration, Vietnam could soon organize an annual international birdrace event on par with Fraser’s Hill, attracting global nature enthusiasts and official backing alike.

For generations, nature has been both cradle and shield to life on Earth. It is now our turn to protect it in return.

Source (in Vietnamese): https://danviet.vn/doi-viet-nam-gay-bat-ngo-o-cuoc-thi-quoc-te-frasers-hill-international-birdrace-2025-d1342631.html