Lost in the wilderness, foreign tourists discover Vietnam’s sense of safety

From a British motorcyclist misled by Google Maps to an American and a German stranded in the forests of Ba Na, their experiences highlight not only the challenges of exploring unfamiliar terrain but also the dedication of Vietnamese police and the kindness of local communities.

After being rescued, the visitors expressed their gratitude and praised Vietnam as a safe country, underscoring the importance of security and public safety in the country’s growing appeal to international travellers.

From fear to relief: foreign tourists experience Vietnam’s safety

On the afternoon of October 3, Barry, a 63-year-old British tourist travelling from Quy Nhon, a coastal tourism hub of Gia Lai Province, to Da Nang, followed Google Maps onto a remote trail connecting An Lao Commune in the province with the mountainous Dang Thuy Tram Commune in neighboring Quang Ngai Province.

As he continued along the route, the road became increasingly treacherous, with steep slopes, muddy stretches and rocks scattered across the uneven terrain.

Barry lost control of his motorcycle after a rock punctured its rear tyre, leaving him stranded in the mountains.

Fortunately, he was spotted by local residents, who immediately alerted the commune police.

Upon receiving the report, officers promptly drove a specialized vehicle to the scene to assist the stranded tourist.

Despite the frightening ordeal, Barry said Vietnam remained a country worth visiting and praised its safety for international travellers.

In a separate incident, police in Ba Na Commune in Da Nang City rescued Austin Vasquez, 31, an American, and Matty Geppert, 36, a German who had become lost near Hang Gio Stream in Hoa Trung Hamlet, on Tuesday.

The two entered the area to camp but lost their way.

Authorities launched a search after receiving information about the missing tourists and found them near the stream by noon on Wednesday.

Deeply moved by the determination and efforts of the rescue teams, the two men later wrote a letter expressing their gratitude.

In his letter, Vasquez wrote: “Vietnam has always been a safe country, the people are kind and respectful.”

“What people don’t think about is how the police in Vietnam are professional and the first people to maintain safety.

“Without the Ba Na police, I would not be here today writing this letter. I want to thank everyone that came to rescue us, and I want to thank Vietnam for continuing to be a safe country.”

These incidents are not isolated examples of Vietnamese authorities helping foreign visitors in distress.

In October 2025, two Dutch tourists travelling on large-displacement motorcycles became lost in the remote forest in north-central Quang Tri Province at night, some seven kilometers from the nearest residential area.

Commune police eventually rescued them using an agricultural tractor.

Such incidents demonstrate how local authorities and residents can play a vital role in protecting travellers, particularly when they venture into remote areas where difficult terrain and limited access can quickly turn an adventure into a dangerous situation.

Pattern of prompt assistance

Beyond search-and-rescue operations, the prompt handling of everyday problems also contributes to visitors’ sense of security.

In early September, traffic police in Da Nang used a patrol motorcycle to help a South Korean tourist recover a mobile phone left in a Grab car.

By tracing the phone’s location, officers were able to locate the missing property in less than an hour.

In early October, police in Phu Tho Province swiftly identified the owner of a wallet handed in by a local resident.

After verifying the information and posting a notice on social media, officers returned the wallet to a New Zealand tourist within one hour of receiving it, according to the Ministry of Public Security Portal.

While these cases differ in scale, they share a common feature: authorities responded quickly to help foreign visitors, whether they were stranded in the wilderness or dealing with the loss of personal belongings.

Vietnam’s growing reputation as safe destination

The 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), ranked Vietnam ninth globally for security and safety, an improvement of 18 places compared with 2024, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

The result represents an important advantage for the country as it seeks to strengthen its competitiveness and appeal in the international tourism market.

At a time when global travel is increasingly affected by geopolitical instability, armed conflicts, natural disasters and rising travel costs, security and safety have become influential factors in tourists’ destination choices.