Locals join search for Chinese tourist swept out to sea off Vietnam coast

On Monday evening, people continued gathering along the coast, waiting for updates from boats searching for Zhang Lang, a Chinese national who went missing at sea on August 7.

Zhang had gone to Tuy Hoa Beach with his girlfriend, Le Diem B., 21, from Dak Lak, when he was swept away by strong waves.

After hearing about the incident, local residents volunteered to join the search, providing boats and other equipment, contributing money for fuel and food, and taking part in the search.

Sang, a local resident, said he paid for fuel out of his own pocket and used a boat normally used to take tourists sightseeing to Hon Chua Island to search for Zhang.

Sang and several others made multiple trips offshore to search for the missing man from 1:30 pm on August 9 until the morning of August 10.

High waves and strong winds made it difficult to navigate and search, but the group continued their efforts.

"The sea was a little calmer this morning, so we expanded the search area and went farther offshore.

I had a tour scheduled to take passengers sightseeing, but I canceled it. Once we've started something like this, we have to see it through," Sang said.

Sang had previously joined local rescue and relief efforts during the historic floods that hit the area in November 2025.

Tran Quang Hung, another resident, said he had spent two days searching for Zhang.

During the day, he and his neighbors continuously searched the sea, while at night, poor visibility and unstable weather conditions forced them to stop for safety reasons.

He said they would continue the search, adding that as locals, they know the wind patterns and water currents in this area.

Hung said local residents were willing to help regardless of the victim's nationality.

"We hope to find him soon and bring him back to his family and homeland," Hung added.

Hung heads a volunteer ambulance team that has been operating since 2019.

Local residents have also contributed money to support Zhang's family.

Le Trang Dai, 61, said she made a small contribution despite not knowing Zhang personally, hoping the money could help his family cover expenses and prepare the necessary arrangements while awaiting news.

"We don't know him, but everyone feels sorry after hearing that he was caught in trouble at sea. I made a small contribution to help his family and encourage them to get through this difficult time. We only hope the sea will give him back soon so his family can find peace," Dai said.

According to B.'s family, she and Zhang were dating, and she brought him to her hometown to meet her family.

The couple went to Tuy Hoa Beach on the afternoon of August 7, where the incident occurred.

Since then, B. has been devastated.

She has repeatedly sat by the beach in recent days, staring out at the water while waiting for news of her boyfriend.

Her family said they hope authorities and local residents helping with the search can find Zhang soon. Zhang's relatives are also expected to travel to Vietnam.

Tuy Hoa Ward authorities said rescue teams and local residents have continued searching for Zhang. Rescue workers have remained along the coast in recent days, monitoring waves and wind conditions and sending boats offshore whenever weather conditions allow.

Authorities and local residents have also deployed two drones to search the sea.