Vietnam is home to some endangered and critically endangered primate species of which most are endemic to Vietnam or endemic to the region of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. If you are a wildlife enthusiasts and if you plan to travel to Vietnam, then these places may be on your itinerary for spotting these primates in the wild.
Our team collect the sites where endangered and critically endangered primate species are present as the populations are shrinking to highly alarming levels. Illegal poaching is rampant. Their natural habitats are invaded and destroyed. And worst of all, there is some level of irresponsibility from responsible authorities… We do have specific notes for these places and we wish you to travel to these sites, so that it helps to raise awareness among the responsible persons that these creatures must be protected and they are in serious dangers. And that the local economy can benefit in a sustainable manner thanks to tourism related to protection of the wildlife.
Travel Guide to Places for Spotting Wild Endangered Primates in Vietnam
1/ Ha Giang – Snub-Nosed Monkeys
Ha Giang is home to the Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkeys which are critically endangered species with only 200 individuals left in the wild nowadays. In Ha Giang, about 160 individuals of these primates have been spotted. These primates are endemic to Northern Vietnam. In 1992-2002, Snub-nosed Monkeys were spotted in Yen Bai (Tran Yen) and Tuyen Quang (Cham Chu, Na Hang) but have not been seen again since.
Those of these snub-nosed monkeys in Ha Giang seem to be well protected, but not in the other places mentioned above.
2/ Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong is home to the White Shanked Langurs (Delacour’s Langurs, Trachypithecus delacouri) but it is hard to sight them nowadays given the dense forest and present of tourists. The national park of Cuc Phuong has been doing well in the rescue efforts as well as in protecting wildlife and the natural habitats of different species.
3/ Van Long Nature Reserve
The Van Long Nature Reserve is home to the White Shanked Langurs (Delacour’s Langurs) with a big population and they are spotted in the wild of the wetland nature reserve. Here these primates are well protected.
4/ Kim Bang Forest
Kim Bang is also home to a large number of the White-shanked Langurs with about 73 individuals. The forest of Kim Bang is close to several quarries which exploit rock using explosives. The rock is processed right on site and the environment is heavily polluted around the area. The protected forest of Kim Bang is only 200-300m from the quarries and this poses a really serious threat to the population of Delacour’s Langurs here.
5/ Cat Ba National Park
6/ Bach Ma National Park
The national park is home to 12 packs of Red/Rufous/Brown-Shanked Douc Langurs with the total of 128 individuals. They are sighted frequently at the national park.
7/ Son Tra Nature Reserve
8/ Cat Tien National Park
9/ Kon Ka Kinh National Park
Gray-shanked langurs.
AdventureGreen is a Vietnam tour operator organizing adventure tours, bird tours and wildlife tours in Vietnam.
