‘Vietnam is incredibly safe’: British traveler praises locals after Google Maps detour strands him in mountains

Barry was traveling from Quy Nhon to Da Nang on October 3 when Google Maps directed him off the main route and onto a remote mountain road leading toward Dang Thuy Tram Commune in Quang Ngai Province.

At first, he thought it was just a shortcut and expected to rejoin the main road soon.

But the farther he went, the worse the road became, with steep slopes, mud, and large rocks scattered across the track.

While riding down a slope in Dang Thuy Tram Commune, Barry lost control of his large motorcycle and a rock punctured the rear tire.

“This was one of the most terrifying routes I have ever experienced,” he said, recalling that at one point he panicked as he stood alone in the mountains with his damaged motorcycle.

Barry eventually managed to make his way to Kon Doc Hamlet, where local residents spotted him and immediately alerted commune police.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Tien Dung, head of the Dang Thuy Tram Commune Police, and Captain Pham Trung Tien then drove a police vehicle to the scene to help him.

“Officers Dung and Tien came to me with smiles and help,” Barry said.

“I am 63 years old and have traveled to 34 countries. This was the best experience I have ever had with police anywhere in the world.”

Barry said he had encountered the friendliness of Vietnamese people many times before, including doctors, nurses, and local residents, but this was his first direct experience with Vietnamese police.

He described Vietnam as an “incredibly safe” country and said it was well worth visiting.

“If something goes wrong, people will help you and the police will quickly come to your assistance,” he said.

Officers stay until tourist is safely back on route

Barry said the tire was not repaired until around 8:00 pm.

Dung explained that the repair was only temporary and advised him to ride slowly and replace the tire once he reached the next major urban area.

The officers then escorted Barry back to the main road, gave him detailed directions, and only left after making sure he was on the correct and safe route.

“Lieutenant Colonel Dung and Captain Tien are now like two friends to me,” Barry said.

“They are genuinely kind and represent the image of the Vietnamese police.”

Dung later said he continued to follow Barry’s journey and was pleased to learn that the tourist had arrived safely in Da Nang.

He described the assistance as part of the routine work of grassroots police.

“If it hadn’t been me, someone else would have helped,” Dung said.

“Four foreign tourists have previously become lost on this same road and all of them received timely assistance from local police.”