Deep in the remote forests of northern and central Vietnam, beyond the mist-wrapped karst peaks and forested hillsides, live some of the rarest primates on Earth. Found nowhere else, and pushed to the edge by decades of habitat loss, poaching and human pressure, species such as the Cao Vit gibbon, Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, Cat Ba langur, grey-shanked douc and Delacour’s langur are facing a fight for survival.
That’s where the Primate Survival Project comes in – an initiative under Wild at Heart, Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation’s three year commitment to protect key species globally. In partnership with Fauna & Flora, this project trains rangers, equips communities, restores habitats and develops further tourism opportunities in Vietnam. It’s not just about saving species. It’s about building a future where local people lead the way and where travel can power change.
Because without urgent action, these incredible creatures may vanish in our lifetime.
In addition to the primate survival project, Exodus are protecting key global species throughout India, Kenya, Italy, and most recently – Costa Rica. Read about our new Jaguar Resilience Project.
Why Vietnam’s Primates Are at Risk
Vietnam is considered one of the world’s primate biodiversity hotspots – home to 25 species, including six crested gibbons. Crested gibbons are vital to the forest; as they swing through the canopy, they spread seeds, helping the rainforest regenerate and stay healthy. But they, like many primates in Vietnam, face extreme pressure.
Logging, livestock grazing, firewood collection, habitat fragmentation and the illegal wildlife trade have pushed them into smaller, more isolated patches of forest. With fewer trees come fewer places to feed, breed and hide from hunters.
One of the most precarious cases is the Cao Vit gibbon. Once thought extinct, it was rediscovered in 2002 by Fauna & Flora in a single patch of forest in the Cao Bang province, near the Chinese border. Thanks to their efforts and local communities, there are now around 74 individuals, all living in a forest barely the size of central London.
The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, with its distinctive upturned nose and tufted ears, came dangerously close to disappearing too. They’re endemic to Vietnam and in 2002, only around 50 were left in the wild. Today, there are closer to 200 – a population considered stable thanks to Fauna & Flora’s efforts: community patrols, sustained awareness programs and carefully managed habitat.
“As a flagship species, the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey represents both national pride and Fauna & Flora’s commitment to species conservation,” says Chu Xuan Canh, Project Manager for the Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkey Program at Fauna & Flora.
“Encouragingly, monitoring over the past three years has recorded between 4 and 16 newborns annually, offering hope for the future of the species.”
A Community-Led Approach to Conservation
From the outset, the Primate Survival Project has put local communities at the centre – not just as beneficiaries, but as conservation leaders. In each location, villagers are being trained as rangers and trackers, with drone surveys enabling them to monitor forest health and animal movements in real time. Responsible tourism training prepares them to host visitors in a way that benefits both wildlife and livelihoods, while outreach programs are shifting how people view the primates they live alongside.
In Kim Bang town, Bui Van Thanh volunteers for the community-based conservation team protecting the Delacour’s langur, a striking black-and-white monkey found only in northern Vietnam.
“After joining, I became more aware of the importance of protecting the Delacour’s langur in Kim Bang,” he says.
“I learned that this species holds significant biological value, plays a vital role in maintaining the local ecosystem, and is endemic to Vietnam – especially in my very own hometown.”
Linking forest protection with livelihoods
In Kon Plong district, the grey-shanked douc – one of the most colourful primates in the world – shares the forest with communities who have long relied on its resources. Here, the project is changing that relationship by linking conservation with sustainable income.
One approach to this are new responsible tourism pilots – small-scale, carefully managed experiences that bring visitors into the forest in ways that benefit both people and wildlife. These pilots are designed to test what works best before rolling them out wider.
A Siu, a villager benefiting from responsible tourism, explains: “Conservation efforts in the Kon Plong forest have brought meaningful changes to the lives of local people. Community members have become more aware of the value of nature and actively participate in patrolling, monitoring, and organising eco-tourism activities. As a result, many have gained additional income by working as tour guides, providing homestay services, or selling local products.
“By linking conservation with livelihood opportunities, the community has come to see the protection of forests and wildlife not just as a responsibility, but as an essential and beneficial part of daily life.”
Further south, in Quang Ngai, women have revived traditional weaving with the project’s support – an initiative that reduces pressure on the forest while protecting cultural heritage.
“After receiving support to develop our traditional weaving livelihoods, local women have less reliance on the forest to make a living,” says community leader, Y Mửi.
“Our traditional craft has gained wider recognition, enabling us to earn additional income, participate in exchanges, and showcase our products at local exhibitions and in other provinces.
“Although we still face many challenges, thanks to the project’s support, our lives have become less dependent on forest resources and have improved significantly.”
What Your Support Makes Possible
By the end of its first year, the Primate Survival Project aims to:
- Bring more people into conservation, from forest-edge communities to trained rangers.
- Use drone-assisted surveys to map habitat and monitor change.
- Teach community members how to track wildlife signs and monitor habitat change.
- Provide tailored training to rangers and conservation staff to boost the impact of forest protection and biodiversity monitoring.
Long-term, the vision is to expand protected habitats, grow primate populations and create conservation models that are fully owned by the communities themselves.
Responsible tourism will play a key role. Pilot experiences – such as guided wildlife walks, forest treks, and conservation-themed village visits – will be designed to attract responsible travellers and give communities a financial reason to protect their environment.
Why This Work Matters
You may never trek through a forest in Cao Bang or catch the call of a Cao Vit gibbon echoing through the canopy. But this work protects more than just rare primates. These animals are seed-spreaders, forest gardeners and vital to the health of entire ecosystems. Protecting them means safeguarding water sources, storing carbon, and supporting countless other species.
This is what Wild at Heart stands for – standing up for the wild places and species we can’t afford to lose. By supporting this work, you’re helping create a future where both people and primates can thrive.
Help Protect Vietnam’s Rarest Primates
Donate now to help protect critically endangered primates.