According to Ba Na Commune Police in Da Nang City, on 13/10, Austin Drake Vasquez, 31 years old, an American national, and Matty Geppert, 36 years old, a German national, arrived at the Suoi Da Hang area in Ba Na commune, Da Nang City, for a day of self-guided camping and sightseeing. While attempting to find their way out of the forest, the two tourists became lost and had to spend the night.
Unable to locate a path using online navigation apps, the two tourists contacted a friend in Da Nang, requesting assistance. Around 9 h on 14/10, the friend reported the incident to the Ba Na Commune Police. Upon receiving the information, local authorities launched a search, surveying areas where people might be lost. The rescue operation focused on identifying the tourists' location and finding a way to reach them for safe extraction.
After about three hours of searching, rescue forces located Austin and Matty at Khe Hang Gio, part of Suoi Da Hang. They then assisted in bringing both individuals safely down the mountain. When found, the two tourists were in stable health, with only minor skin abrasions.
Following their rescue, Austin Drake Vasquez penned a handwritten letter to the Ba Na Commune Police, expressing gratitude to the search team members for their friendliness and timely support. He stated that the arrival of the rescue team helped them overcome a difficult time. Despite the incident during their trip, Austin still considers Vietnam a safe destination with friendly people who respect tourists.
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Austin Drake Vasquez and Matty Geppert after being found in the forest by rescue forces from Ba Na commune, Da Nang City. Photo: Ba Na Commune Police
According to the Ba Na Commune Police, Suoi Da Hang, situated at the foot of Ba Na mountain in Hoa Trung village, is about 25 km from Da Nang City center. This area features complex mountainous terrain with many hard-to-access locations, posing potential safety risks for those unfamiliar with the routes.
The location is known among some tourism communities for trekking, picnics, and nature exploration, thanks to its mountainous landscapes, streams, and natural lakes.
Over the past two months, there have been two incidents of people getting lost at Khe Hang Gio. In early August, Ba Na commune authorities conducted an overnight search for a 25-year-old man from Hung Yen who had slipped, lost his way while exploring the area. He contacted for help, and his last known location was identified via phone GPS signal before he was safely rescued.
In mountainous areas like Suoi Da Hang, popular map applications such as Google Maps may not fully display trails, stream crossings, or difficult-to-access terrain sections. Even when a phone can pinpoint a location, tourists may still struggle to find a safe exit.
Authorities advise tourists to thoroughly research their routes before engaging in camping, hiking, or mountain exploration activities. Tourists should avoid traveling alone and choose itineraries suitable for their abilities. Adequate preparation of essential items, communication devices, and emergency response plans helps mitigate risks.
Bich Phuong
