Da Nang: Red-Shanked Douc Langur Watching on Son Tra

Summary

Rare monkeys of Vietnam’s Son Tra peninsula up close

You’ll watch endangered red-shanked douc langurs in their wild home on Son Tra peninsula with an expert local guide, learn tracking tricks, meet wildlife photographers on the trail, and pause at secret viewpoints — all while soaking up sounds and scents of Vietnam’s mountain forest.

What’s the experience like?

I was already sweating when our guide, Minh, waved us off the scooter and pointed quietly into the green. “Listen,” he whispered — and for a second all I could hear was my own breath and some cicadas. Then, this soft rustling above us. That’s when I spotted my first red-shanked douc langur, tail flicking like it was painting the air. I’d seen photos before but seeing them in Son Tra — it’s different. The colors are almost too much: burnt orange legs, white whiskers, that gentle face. Minh handed me the binoculars (he called them his ‘magic glasses’) and told me to move slow. Not sure if my heart or hands were shaking more.

We spent about three hours on these winding mountain roads, stopping whenever Minh caught a glimpse or heard something only he seemed to pick up on. He knew every twist in the trail — even introduced us to two local photographers who showed us their shots from last week (one had waited six hours for a single photo). The monkeys weren’t always easy to spot; sometimes you’d just catch a flash of color or hear leaves dropping before they vanished again. Minh explained how to tell the young ones from adults, and why National Geographic teams sometimes spend weeks here just for a few minutes with these endangered primates.

The air smelled faintly sweet — maybe wildflowers? — mixed with that earthy after-rain scent clinging to everything. At one point we paused near a secret beach overlook; honestly, I almost forgot about the monkeys for a minute because the view hit me so hard. There were butterflies everywhere and some kind of bird calling out from somewhere deep in the trees. Minh laughed when I tried repeating the monkey’s Vietnamese name (I definitely butchered it), but he seemed happy we cared enough to try.

I still think about those quiet moments under the canopy, waiting and hoping for another glimpse — not knowing if we’d get lucky again or just walk away with muddy shoes and stories. If you’re looking for something real around Da Nang, this day trip is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Red Shanked Douc Langurs adventure

• Meet local guide
• Travel twisting mountain road
• Explore secret monkey habitats
• Observe Red Shanked Douc Langurs
• Learn to identify monkey age and sex
• Participate in monkey data collection
• Meet local animal photographers
• View hidden Monkey Mountain scenery
• Visit secret beach
• Return to starting point

Top questions

What animals will I see on this tour?

The main focus is spotting red-shanked douc langurs; you may also see birds, butterflies, plants, or sometimes mongoose.

How long does the tour last?

The adventure lasts about 3 hours across mountain trails in Son Tra.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at an arranged location with flexible timing based on animal activity.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes, binoculars are provided for guests during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The tour is not recommended for children under 4 years old.

Can I bring my camera gear?

You are welcome to bring your own camera gear along with what is provided.

What should I bring or wear?

Travel light as there’s no room for luggage; wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for trails.

Is lunch included?

No lunch is included; bottled water is provided during the tour.

Will we meet local guides?

Your guide is a local expert familiar with animal behavior and trails; you may also meet local wildlife photographers along the way.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes bottled water and use of binoculars as you explore Son Tra’s forest trails with an experienced local guide. You’ll have chances to chat with wildlife photographers along the way. Just remember to pack light — there isn’t space for extra luggage on this adventure.