Spot red-shanked doucs on Sơn Trà Peninsula

The place in a few words

Sơn Trà Peninsula, a few kilometres from central Da Nang, is home to one of the world's rarest monkeys: the red-shanked douc. With its orange-toned face and colourful coat, this endangered primate is unmistakable. The peninsula is one of its most important remaining refuges, but spotting these tree-dwelling monkeys in the wild takes patience.

What we loved

We really wanted to see these monkeys, so we set off to find them on our own. It turned out to be much harder than expected! We even started watching where the local guides were looking, hoping to get lucky. Just as we'd given up and were about to leave, the doucs appeared! We watched several adults and two babies for around ten minutes. The timing was completely unexpected, which made the encounter even more memorable. And they're genuinely beautiful!

Our tip

Although we were lucky enough to spot them independently, next time we'd choose a tour with a specialist guide. They know the monkeys' habits and where to look. Early morning is generally the best time, when doucs are more active, so expect an early start. It's absolutely worth it! Sightings are never guaranteed, and keeping a respectful distance is essential.