2 foreign tourists rescued after getting lost in Da Nang forest

According to the Ba Na Commune police, Austin Drake Vasquez, 31, from the U.S., and Matty Geppert, 36, went camping and sightseeing by themselves in the area on Oct. 13.

While trying to find their way out of the forest, the pair got lost and were forced to spend the night in the wild.

Unable to determine their exit route using online navigation apps, they contacted a friend in Da Nang for help.

At 9 a.m. on Oct. 14, the friend reported to the Ba Na police.

Upon receiving the news, local authorities immediately launched a search operation, sweeping the area where the two men were suspected to be lost.

After three hours of searching, they located them at Hang Gio ravine in the Da Hang stream area and took them down the mountain.

The tourists were in stable health.

Following the rescue, Vasquez wrote a handwritten thank-you letter to the police, expressing his gratitude to the search team for their prompt and friendly assistance.

He said the timely arrival of the rescuers rescued them from a harrowing experience.

Despite the mishap, he still considers Vietnam a safe destination with warm and respectful locals.

Austin Drake Vasquez and Matty Geppert after being found in a forest in Da Nang by rescue forces. Photo by Ba Na commune police

The Da Hang stream is located at the foot of Ba Na mountain, 25 kilometers from Da Nang.

The area has rugged mountain terrain with many hard-to-reach spots, posing potential safety hazards for those unfamiliar with the routes.

The site is popular among travel communities for trekking, camping, and exploring nature, thanks to its scenic mountain landscapes, streams, and natural pools.

In the last two months, two separate incidents of getting lost have been recorded at Hang Gio ravine.

In early August, local authorities in Ba Na conducted an overnight search-and-rescue operation for a 25-year-old male hiker from Hung Yen Province, who had slipped and lost his direction while exploring.

He managed to call for help, and his location was determined via his phone's GPS signal before he was safely rescued.

Authorities warn that in mountainous forested areas like Da Hang stream, popular navigation apps such as Google Maps may not display all trails, stream crossings, or difficult-to-access terrain.

Even if a phone can pinpoint a user's location, lost tourists may still struggle to find a safe way out.

Local authorities advise visitors to thoroughly research their routes before engaging in camping, trekking, or forest exploration.

Tourists are urged not to travel alone, to choose routes suited to their physical abilities, and to bring essential supplies, communication devices, and emergency plans to minimize risks.