If you visit Vinh Hy Bay, there’s a good chance you’ll hear locals talk about the Nui Chua douc langur. This colorful monkey lives in the forests above the bay, inside Nui Chua National Park, and seeing one in the wild is a real highlight for many visitors.

What Is the Nui Chua Douc Langur?

The Nui Chua douc langur (Pygathrix nigripes), also called the black-shanked douc langur, is one of the most colorful monkeys in the world. It has grey fur on its body, black arms and legs, a white tail, and a face with patches of orange and white. Many people call it the “costumed monkey” because of how it looks, almost like it’s wearing different colored clothes.

Douc langurs live in groups in the trees and rarely come down to the ground. They are shy animals, so spotting one takes a bit of luck and a quiet approach.

Where to Find the Douc Langur in Nui Chua National Park

Nui Chua National Park is one of the best places in Vietnam to see a douc langur. Thanks to years of conservation work, the park is now home to more than 2,000 douc langurs, the largest group found anywhere in the country.

Most people imagine Vietnamese jungles as green and wet. But the lower parts of Nui Chua are actually dry, with thorny bushes and cactus-like plants. This is one of the driest areas in Vietnam.

The langurs do not live down here. It lives higher up the mountain, where the forest changes into thick, green rainforest. This upper area gets more rain and has many more trees, plenty of leaves and fruit for the langurs to eat.

What Do They Eat?

Langurs mostly eat leaves. This makes up the biggest part of their diet all year round. But they also eat fruit and flowers when these are available, especially during certain seasons. Researchers studying the local population found that they feed on a huge variety of plants, switching up their diet depending on what’s growing.

Are they Endangered?

Yes. The douc langur is listed as an endangered species. Across Vietnam and Cambodia, numbers have dropped a lot because of habitat loss and hunting. This is part of why the Nui Chua population is so important. With more than 2,000 individuals, this park is now seen as one of the best hopes for the species in Vietnam.

Why Nui Chua Is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Nui Chua National Park isn’t just a national park, it’s also recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. This title is given to places with rich and unique ecosystems that are worth protecting for the whole world, not just for one country.

The presence of the Nui Chua douc langur was a big part of why the park earned this title. Having such a large population of an endangered, colorful primate living here shows just how special and important this forest is. So when you spot a douc langur in Nui Chua, you’re seeing one of the key reasons this whole area is protected on a global level.

See them on a Jungle Trek

The best way to spot a douc langur is to head into the rainforest area of Nui Chua, where they live. Our Night in the Jungle trek (2 Days, 1 Night) takes you right into this part of the park.

On this trek, you’ll walk through different types of forest, from the dry lowlands to the lush jungle higher up. Along the way, you’ll often spot the Nui Chua douc langur moving through the trees. You’ll also swim at a jungle waterfall, eat meals cooked at the campsite, and sleep in a hammock surrounded by the sounds of the forest.

If you don’t have time for an overnight trip, our Nui Chua Day Trek also passes through areas where the douc langur can be spotted. However, sightings are most common on the overnight trek, since it goes deeper into the rainforest where the langurs spend most of their time.

Tips for Spotting them in Nui Chua National Park

• Go early in the morning or late afternoon, when langurs are most active
• Stay quiet and move slowly
• Bring binoculars or a camera with zoom
• Keep your distance and don’t try to feed them
• Listen to your guide, they often hear or spot the langurs first

Why It’s Worth Protecting

The black-shanked douc langur is part of what makes this national park special. Seeing one in the wild is something many travelers remember long after their trip. By visiting responsibly and supporting local guides, you’re also helping protect this rare animal and its forest home for the future.

Want to see the Nui Chua douc langur for yourself? Join our 2D1N Night in the Jungle trek and explore the heart of Nui Chua National Park.

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Vinh Hy Panduranga

The first inhabitants of Vinh Hy were Champa people back when the area was still known as Panduranga, the ancient Champa Kingdom. This village, only accessible by the sea was finally abandoned in the early 1800 as the Kingdom slowly collapsed following the advancement of the Vietnamese Empire. In the late 1800, the first Vietnamese fishermen spotted the village from the sea and settled in this bay providing natural protection from storms and strong winds. When the village was built, there were no roads to get out apart from the sea, and it was only in the early 1900 when the French colonialist discovered the village that the first road was built. This fact can still be seen today with the structure of the village composed of small narrow alleys designed for pedestrians.

Vinh Hys culture is a precious mix of old Cham traditions, Vietnamese traditional beliefs and old rituals related to the sea. The most emblematic belief of Vinh Hy is the worshiping of “Ong Nam Hai” or sea god taking the shape of a whale. The whale protects the bay from predators such as sharks or other dangerous species as well as protects the fishermen who meet trouble at sea. Every few years, whales come to the village to die and it is commonly believed that they do so to give a final farewell and instructions to relatives and loved ones (people from the village). He is then buried following the same rituals held for people. Once in three years is held a big festival honoring “ Ong Nam Hai”, the biggest celebration in the village. Vinh Hy has many other cultural aspects related to fishing, and the best way to discover them is to come to Vinh Hy and see it from your own eyes.

Vinh Hy is the perfect destination for nature lovers with two rich and very different environments. It is one of the best spots in Vietnam for snorkeling with the most diverse coral reef composed of more than 350 species. For those who like to stay above surface, the impressive cliffs and crystal-clear waters will stun the eyes of travelers. The extremely biodiverse jungle with more than 1500 species of trees and plants, a wide system of streams is a marvelous place for travelers looking for adventure and immersion in pristine nature.

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