Authorities warn of rainy-season dangers at popular hiking spot in Vietnam’s Nha Trang

Local authorities told Tuoi Tre (Youth) on Friday that they had issued the warning amid concerns over unorganized hiking activities on the mountain.

Co Tien Mountain features steep, winding trails that can become slippery or prone to landslides during adverse weather.

Dense fog can also cause hikers to lose their bearings, leaving them stranded deep in the forest, exhausted, without phone signals, or short of food and water.

Hiking and sightseeing activities on the mountain are largely spontaneous and are not overseen by a designated management authority, making it difficult to coordinate assistance when emergencies occur.

Authorities advised people not to hike during bad weather or without adequate safety equipment and urged hikers not to begin their trips after 1:00 pm to avoid descending after dark.

Hikers should plan their routes in advance and notify local police, military authorities, or the public service center of their group size and contact details so rescuers can respond quickly in an emergency.

They are also advised to stay with their group, familiarize themselves with the terrain, and carry sufficient food, water, and portable chargers.

Located north of Nha Trang, Co Tien Mountain rises about 400 meters above sea level and comprises three adjacent peaks whose silhouette is said to resemble a young woman lying with her hair flowing and her face turned toward the sky.

Offering panoramic views of Nha Trang Bay and the coastal city below, the mountain has become a popular destination for hiking, outdoor exploration, and camping.

The warning comes after several tourists required rescue on Co Tien Mountain.

Most recently, rescuers were dispatched to assist an Australian woman born in 1961 who became exhausted while hiking due to the steep terrain and hot weather.

Authorities have also previously rescued several tourists who became lost on the mountain at night.