Foreign tourist killed after construction truck drops rock onto passenger van in Vietnam’s Lam Dong

Police in Phan Son Commune said they were alerted earlier that morning by doctors at Bac Binh Thuan General Hospital about the fatal incident, which occurred along the mountainous highway linking Binh Thuan and Da Lat, a popular highland destination in Vietnam.

The van, driven by 56-year-old Tran Cao Minh Tri, was carrying a group of Russian tourists traveling from Luong Son toward Da Lat.

As the van passed through Phan Son Commune, a construction vehicle traveling in the opposite direction allegedly dropped a rock that struck the van with significant force.

The impact injured two passengers, including the Russian tourist who was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the hospital.

The construction vehicle involved remains unidentified, and police have yet to locate the scene where the rock fell because the truck had left the area.

The commune’s police chief and several officers immediately combed National Highway 28B but did not find physical traces of the incident.

An investigative team has been deployed to work with hospital staff, question contractors working along the highway, and summon all construction vehicles currently operating on the road for inspection.

Police are also reviewing security camera footage along the route to determine the vehicle responsible.

Local media, including VTCNews and VOV, reported that National Highway 28B is undergoing a major upgrade, with heavy construction traffic frequently transporting materials between work sites.

The project spans roughly 69km through Lam Dong Province, with total investment estimated at VND1.435 trillion (US$55 million).

Construction began in April 2024 and is expected to finish in late 2025 or early 2026.

The highway is a key link connecting the tourism triangle of Phan Thiet, Da Lat and Ho Chi Minh City.

However, work on the project has fallen behind schedule due to land clearance obstacles and prolonged rainy-season conditions.