Buffalo riding in Da Nang rice fields offers foreign visitors hands-on taste of rural Vietnam

In the ward's rice paddies, just over four kilometers from Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, water buffalo—long regarded as a symbol of Vietnam’s agricultural heritage—have taken on a new role as ‘co-stars’ in a tourism service that allows visitors to ride them and take photos amid the countryside landscape.

Simple yet refreshing experience

Once seen mainly as working animals in farming communities, buffalo are now part of a curated experience designed to introduce rural Vietnamese life in a more interactive and memorable way.

The animals, carefully groomed with glossy coats and calm temperaments, have become a familiar sight for both locals and tourists exploring rural areas in Hoi An Dong.

Service providers offer traditional conical hats and guide visitors on how to mount the ruminants, maintain balance, and interact safely with the animals while posing for photos against a backdrop of rice fields.

For many international tourists, the experience offers a rare and intimate glimpse into a way of life they have previously only seen online.

Among them was American visitor Edgar Tuna, who said the activity left a strong impression.

"Being able to ride a buffalo in such a beautiful green rice field is a very new experience for me," Tuna said.

"I’ve fallen in love with Da Nang not only because of Hoi An Ancient Town but also because of these very simple yet refreshing exễpriences."

He added that he planned to share his photos with family and friends after returning home.

The activity has also become popular among Vietnamese travelers, particularly those from urban areas who rarely have opportunities to interact closely with farm animals.

For them, the experience offers both novelty and a lighthearted connection to rural traditions.

Immersive experiences fuel rural tourism

Locals say buffalo-riding tourism has expanded in recent years, driven by growing demand from international visitors seeking authentic, nature-based cultural experiences.

Each session allows visitors to interact freely with the buffalo, take photos, and enjoy the rural scenery, with payment typically made to the buffalo owners based on visitors’ satisfaction.

According to Le Xuan Thanh, 44, one of the buffalo-riding service providers, the animals are carefully selected and trained to ensure they remain calm and comfortable around people.

"To give visitors the best experience, we raise and train the buffalo so they are gentle and familiar with scents such as perfume," he said.

"They are also bathed regularly with soap to keep their coats clean and shiny, which improves the overall experience."

He said the idea emerged after foreign tourists visiting the area showed strong interest in photographing local farmers with buffalo.

"At first, visitors only wanted to take pictures when they saw buffalo in the fields. Then we came up with the idea of letting them ride the buffalo and take photos. Foreign tourists, especially Western visitors, really enjoy this kind of local experience,’ Thanh said.

Another local resident, Tran Van Ha, 60, said the service has provided an important additional source of income while making use of traditional farming assets.

"When there are customers, I can earn a few hundred thousand dong a day. Compared to farming or construction work, this is more stable and less tiring," he said.

"I also enjoy it because I get to meet and talk with many visitors."

What began as a small experiment has grown into a distinctive feature of Hoi An Dong’s rural tourism landscape, offering visitors both memorable photo opportunities and a first-hand experience of rural life in Vietnam.