Wildlife of Vietnam: the country's amazing animals

Vietnam is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth. It is home to animals found nowhere else — the «Asian unicorn» saola, some of the world's rarest monkeys, and, right off Nha Trang, coral reefs with hundreds of fish species. Here is a short, no-fluff guide to who lives in Vietnam's forests and seas.

How rich is Vietnam's wildlife?

Vietnam ranks among the most biodiverse countries in the world. Scientists count roughly 310 mammal species, more than 840 birds, almost 300 reptiles, about 190 amphibians and over 700 freshwater fish.

The reason is geography. The country stretches 1,600 km from north to south, from cool mountains to the tropics, and packs in highlands, jungle, mangroves and coral seas. Many species are endemic — around 78 mammals and 100 birds live nowhere else on Earth.

The saola — the «Asian unicorn»

Vietnam's most famous animal is the saola, a forest ox with two long, straight horns. It was only discovered by science in 1992, in the Annamite Mountains on the Vietnam–Laos border — one of the great zoological finds of the 20th century.

The saola earned the nickname «Asian unicorn» for its rarity: scientists have never seen one alive in the wild, only in camera-trap photos. A few hundred at most are thought to remain, and the species is critically endangered.

Primates: Vietnam leads Asia

For primate diversity Vietnam is first in Asia, with more than 25 species and subspecies of monkeys — langurs, doucs and gibbons. Many are endemic and endangered.

Five of the planet's rarest primates are Vietnamese: the Cat Ba and Delacour's langurs, the grey-shanked douc, the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey and the eastern black crested gibbon. Some number only a few dozen or a few hundred individuals.

The red-shanked douc — «Queen of the primates»

One of the most beautiful monkeys in the world also lives in Vietnam — the red-shanked douc langur. Its golden face, grey coat and bright red «stockings» on the legs have earned it the title «Queen of the primates».

The easiest place to see one is the Son Tra Peninsula near Da Nang, where forest survives right next to the city. In 2020 the species was listed as critically endangered, as urban growth rapidly eats into its habitat.

What Vietnam lost: the Javan rhino

Not every story has a happy ending. Vietnam's Javan rhino was declared extinct in 2010: the last animal was found shot in Cat Tien National Park, killed for its horn, which is prized in traditional medicine.

The loss became a symbol of how poaching and the wildlife trade wipe out rare species. Protecting the animals that remain is now the main job of Vietnam's reserves.

Underwater: the Hon Mun reefs off Nha Trang

Some of Vietnam's richest nature is right off Nha Trang. Hon Mun island in Nha Trang Bay is the country's first marine protected area and the site with the highest marine biodiversity in Vietnam.

More than 350 species of hard coral and over 230 reef-fish species have been recorded here, plus hundreds of molluscs, crustaceans and seaweeds. Snorkelling or diving at Hon Mun is the easiest way to see the tropical underwater world for yourself.

Sea turtles of Vietnam

Three sea-turtle species historically visited Vietnam's coast: green, hawksbill and leatherback. Today it is mainly the green turtle that nests regularly, and the main nesting site is Con Dao National Park in the south.

Turtles are very vulnerable, and volunteers guard their nests. In summer at Con Dao you can watch turtles come ashore to lay eggs — under the eye of park rangers.

National parks: where animals are saved

Vietnam has more than 30 national parks. Cuc Phuong, the country's first, opened in 1962 and hosts the famous Endangered Primate Rescue Center, which nurses langurs and doucs seized from poachers.

Other major parks include Cat Tien, with wild elephants and gaur, and Con Dao, with its sea turtles. Today the parks are where most of the work to save Vietnam's wildlife happens.

What threatens Vietnam's animals

The main threats are deforestation and shrinking forests from urban and farm growth, plus poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Together they have pushed many endemic species to the edge.

The good news is that awareness is rising: reserves are being created, rescue centres are at work, and laws against the wildlife trade are getting tougher. The fate of the saola and the doucs depends on whether they can be protected in time.

What this means for a visitor to Nha Trang

You don't have to travel far to see Vietnam's living nature: the Hon Mun reefs are right in Nha Trang Bay, and on the way to the hills you'll easily spot tropical birds, butterflies and monkeys. Treat nature gently — don't feed wild animals, and don't buy souvenirs made of coral, shells or turtle shell.

And if you'd like to add a little beauty to your memories of Vietnam's nature, we'll bring a fresh bouquet or helium balloons to your hotel, villa or office across Nha Trang and Cam Ranh the same day. Message us on WhatsApp, Telegram or KakaoTalk.