The Người Rừng
In the forests of Vietnam, people describe the người rừng, the 'forest people': tall, hairy beings that walk upright.
What was reported
In the mountain forests of Vietnam and Laos, local people tell of the người rừng, or 'forest people', hairy, ape-like beings that walk on two legs and avoid humans. During the Vietnam War, soldiers on both sides reported strange encounters in the jungle.
In 1974, a North Vietnamese general asked scientists to survey the Central Highlands for the creature. The expedition did not find one, but brought back the cast of a large footprint.
Explanations offered
No body, bones or clear photographs have been found. Suggested explanations include known apes and monkeys such as gibbons, bears, and folklore. Some researchers note that new large animals, like the saola, have been found in these forests, which keeps interest alive.
- When
- Reported for generations; expedition in 1974
- Where
- Central Highlands, Vietnam
- Witnesses
- Villagers, soldiers and scientists
- Status
- Unconfirmed
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.