BackgroundDespite recent reductions in Vietnam, malaria transmission persists in some areas in forests and farmlands where a high density ofAnophelesmosquitoes relative to other environments occurs. To inform effective malaria control measures, it is important to understand vector bionomics and the malaria transmission role ofAnophelesspp. in the highland regions of Vietnam. This study was conducted to quantify the abundance, composition and biting behaviour of theAnophelesmosquito population, and the proportion ofPlasmodiumspp. infected mosquitoes collected from forest and agricultural farm sites in Gia Lai province, Vietnam.MethodsForest and agricultural farm sites in Gia Lai province were selected for mosquito collections (total eight sites). Mosquito collection was performed by Human-baited Double Net Trap (HDNT), animal-baited traps (ABT) using cattle, and CDC light traps. Captured mosquitoes were identified morphologically, and salivary glands ofAnophelesmosquitoes were examined for sporozoites using microscopy.Plasmodiuminfection was determined by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and identification of blood meal type was determined by PCR and diffuse serum agglutination assay.ResultsA total of 1815Anophelesmosquitoes belonging to 19 species were collected by ABT (n = 1169), HDNT (n = 471) and CDC light trap (n = 175).Anophelesabundance and diversity varied by district and environment. Capture by HDNT ofAnophelesof vectorial concern was observed between early evening and early morning.Plasmodium vivaxinfection was determined by PCR in twoAnopheles dirusspecimens captured by HDNT in forest sites. Blood from a range of hosts could, including human blood, could be detected in species considered primary and secondary vectorsAn. dirus, andAnopheles aconitus, andAnopheles maculatus, respectively.ConclusionsA low number ofAnophelesspp. considered primary vectors of concern and very low numbers ofPlasmodiumspp. infectedAnophelesmosquitoes were captured at the end of the rainy season in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. However, capture species of vectorial concern by HDNT throughout the early to late evening demonstrates that use of additional personal protective measures could supplement current preventative measures, such as bed nets to prevent exposure to vectors of concern in this region.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-023-04631-1.