Wildlife

Langurs, gibbons, sea turtles and elephants

Red-shanked douc langurs on the Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Vietnam's wildlife is best seen on guided experiences in its parks and reserves: primates in the northern forests, gibbons calling at dawn in Cat Tien, sea turtles nesting on Con Dao, and elephants in the dry forests of Yok Don.

The stars are the primates: the red-shanked douc langur, one of the world's most colourful monkeys, and the Cat Ba langur, among the rarest primates on earth. Go with a guide, keep your distance, and never feed wild animals.

Red-shanked douc langurs, Son TraSouth Central Coast · One of the world's most colourful primates, in the forest above Da Nang.

Endangered Primate Rescue Center, Cuc PhuongRed River Delta · Meet rescued langurs and gibbons at Vietnam's first national park.

Gibbons at dawn, Cat TienSoutheast · Wake to gibbon song in the lowland rainforest; superb birding too.

Sea turtle nesting, Con DaoSoutheast · Guided night watches as green turtles nest, roughly May to October.

Wild elephants, Yok DonCentral Highlands · Vietnam's last wild elephants in dry deciduous forest.

Cat Ba langur, Cat BaRed River Delta · Among the world's rarest primates: a few dozen left, on the island's cliffs.

Sarus cranes, Tram ChimMekong River Delta · The elegant cranes of the Plain of Reeds in the dry season.

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