For nearly three months, a farm in Bong Lai 1 village, Bo Trach commune, has been open to visitors. The farm, spanning over 1.3 hectares, sits beside a branch of the Son River, surrounded by hills planted with acacia and melaleuca trees.

The farm features an orchard, while the valley below contains rice fields, a fish pond, and areas for raising ducks and buffalo. This establishment is located about 2 km from Ho Chi Minh Road, approximately 10 km from Phong Nha center, and around 30 km from Dong Hoi city. Tran Quoc Hoan, 35, owner of Duck Farm Phong Nha, noted that the duck feeding and buffalo riding experiences attract many international visitors.

To experience the "duck massage", visitors receive feed to scatter around them. Hoan holds food, calls out "quack quack", and dozens of ducks rush over, surrounding guests to find food.

“The ducks are trained from a young age, making them quite friendly with people and unafraid”, he said.

Jodie, a visitor from England, found the ducks charming. "It's fun to be a 'duck herder', throwing seeds down and watching them all bow before you. I especially like the ducklings because they are small and easy to pick up", she said.

Tim, another visitor from England, described the experience as enjoyable. “It feels like you’re the ‘lead duck’ when they surround you”, he remarked. According to him, the sensation of dozens of ducks pecking around him felt like a massage. “I will definitely return. This experience is pleasant. The ducks nibbling is a bit ticklish, but it makes everyone laugh heartily”, he said, adding that he rarely laughed so much or felt so relaxed during his current trip to Vietnam.

For the "duckling massage" experience, visitors wear sandals and scatter food around their feet to attract the ducklings. Immediately, the ducklings gather to eat the food, creating a sensation akin to a "massage".

The ducks are quite tame, allowing guests to let them stand on their hands or feet.

Beyond the "duck massage" experience, visitors can also fish, ride buffalo, and observe the farm owner training buffalo to stand or lie down on command. Julia, a visitor from England (second from left), mentioned this was her first time hugging a buffalo. “It doesn’t care about its surroundings; it’s very relaxed and friendly. I can feed it grass and banana leaves”, she said. The farm experience lasts about two hours, with an admission fee of 120,000 VND per person. _Dac Thanh_