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Globally, 13% of the 11,188 bird species evaluated by the IUCN Red List face extinction risk, with nearly half experiencing population declines. Approximately 187 bird species have gone extinct or are suspected to be extinct since 1500. Vietnam has been well known for its extraordinary level of biodiversity, particularly its very rich bird fauna. However, although the country is home to more than 900 species, no efforts had been made to assess their conservation status to better protect them from extinction risks. For this reason, this study aimed to (1) provide a comprehensive list of bird species reported from Vietnam, incorporating IUCN and national threat statuses, i.e., the listings in the Vietnam’s Red Data Book and two national legislations, alongside CITES; (2) identify avian richness hotspots and their coverage by the national protected area network; and (3) evaluate ex situ bird populations in zoos. Our analysis identified 803 native bird species, consisting of ten endemic and 17 near-endemic taxa, across 22 orders and 92 families, dominated by Passeriformes (453 species) and Charadriiformes (77). Of these, 741 were non-threatened, 43 threatened, and 19 non-evaluated or data deficient. A total of 61 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007; recently updated 2024 and now assessing 112 bird species): nine as Least Concern, 47 as threatened, and five as Data Deficient. In addition, 87 species are listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), while 138 species are included under national decrees, 26 in Decree No. 64/2019 and 138 (including the previous 26 species) in Decree No. 84/2021. Highest bird species richness was found in northern and central Vietnam, and the Mekong Delta is an important area for non-breeding species, but it had comparatively low protected area coverage. ZIMS data showed that 308 species are represented in zoo holdings, including 20 threatened and two threatened and endemic species. This updated avifaunal assessment underscores Vietnam’s critical conservation needs, highlighting areas for improved protection, integration of expanded ex situ conservation efforts, and alignment of legislation with global conservation prioritizations.