Animals in Vietnam

Wildlife in Vietnam is a matter of forest and reef, not of open plains, and sightings are never promised. Near Da Nang, the Son Tra Peninsula is the best-known place to try: the reserve is home to red-shanked douc langurs, and American troops called it Monkey Mountain. Inland from Hue, Bach Ma National Park climbs through forest to a sea-view tower and the Five Lakes trail. Phong Nha, in Quang Binh province, is about caves and river boats, not animals. Under the water, the reefs off southern Phu Quoc, around Gam Ghi and Buom islands, are where animals are easiest to find, with a mask and snorkel.

Because wild animals are hard to schedule, much of this category is built around places where they are held or reliably seen. Phu Quoc has Vinpearl Safari, an open-range park in the north-west of the island, sold as a single-park ticket or as a combo with the VinWonders park, with a private or shared transfer from Duong Dong for a day of six to eight hours. From Da Nang and Hoi An, half-day and sunset trips pair Son Tra with the Marble Mountains. From Hue, Bach Ma is a ten-hour day, and Phong Nha takes twelve. In the north, Pu Luong Nature Reserve, four hours from Hanoi, is for rice terraces and the Bat Cave at Kho Muong.

Practical. The langurs are shy, so expect a glimpse and not a show, and never feed a monkey. Bach Ma is cooler and wetter than the coast, so take a rain jacket. From September to November the central coast sits in typhoon season, and mountain and boat days are the first to be called off. Phu Quoc's dry season, November to April, is hot and calm, around 30C by day. Most of these days can be cancelled free of charge a day ahead; check the terms of the rest.