An Austrian tourist who became lost in a remote forest in northern Vietnam has been rescued after spending a night alone in the hills, following a wrong turn directed by Google Maps.
The man had been travelling by motorbike from Hanoi to Lang Son Province on March 31 when he followed navigation instructions onto a narrow dirt track leading into Lai Han Village.
By mid-afternoon, his motorbike lost traction and slid down a steep slope. He spent several hours trying to recover the vehicle but was unsuccessful. Eventually, he abandoned the bike and continued on foot in search of a way out, before losing his bearings as night fell and remaining in the forest overnight.
Earlier that evening, a local resident searching for buffalo in the area noticed tyre tracks cutting sharply down a hillside, raising concerns that an accident may have occurred. Villagers organised a search but were unable to locate the tourist before nightfall.
By the following morning, the man reached the edge of the village and sought help from a local household. The homeowner, Trieu Van Hoi, found him exhausted, scratched and visibly distressed.
Using Google Translate, the tourist attempted to explain his situation and asked for assistance. Hoi then contacted local authorities, and villagers quickly gathered to provide food, shelter and support.
“We do not usually see strangers here,” said Trieu Hinh, the village chief. “It is a very remote area, and no one expected a foreign visitor to arrive in such circumstances.”
At the same time, the motorbike rental operator, having lost contact with the tourist, attempted to locate him using a GPS tracker installed on the vehicle. The operator contacted a local resident, Trieu Van Luu, whose number was listed online.
When Luu arrived, the situation had stabilised, though the tourist remained shaken. Through a translation app, Luu learned that the man was from Austria and had rented the motorbike in Danang, travelling alone from Hanoi towards Lang Son.
“He followed Google Maps onto a remote dirt road. In the dark, he fell down a steep slope,” Luu said.
Concerned about the motorbike, the tourist asked for help locating it. A group of villagers and local police traced the tyre marks and recovered the vehicle after about 30 minutes, working together to haul it back up the incline.
The tourist expressed his gratitude, repeatedly thanking those who assisted him and offering money, which was declined by local residents.
The motorbike was later returned to Danang with assistance from Hoang Lang Huy, an off-road specialist in Lang Son. Huy also accompanied the tourist to the provincial centre and later drove him to Hanoi to catch his return flight.
“He was travelling alone, so I just helped,” Huy said.
Travel and rescue groups have warned that in mountainous regions, digital maps may prioritise the shortest route rather than the safest. Dirt tracks that appear accessible can quickly become hazardous, particularly after rain or in low-light conditions.
Authorities advise travellers to avoid unfamiliar routes late in the day, turn back if conditions worsen, and seek guidance from local residents when in doubt.
