Spontaneous mountain climbing activities need to be strictly managed.

In recent years, tourists and residents of Khanh Hoa have enjoyed mountain climbing, especially Co Tien and Hoang Nguu Son. However, there have been incidents from mountain climbing trips when many people got lost, making rescue efforts very difficult.

Many incidents from spontaneous mountain climbing trips

On June 22, 3 young men including Nguyen Trung Luan, Pham Tien Phap (all residing in Vinh Luong commune, Nha Trang city) and Huynh Kim Long (residing in Ninh Hiep ward, Ninh Hoa town) got lost while climbing Dong Bo mountain (also known as Hoang Nguu Son). The Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police Department of the provincial police dispatched 6 officers and soldiers to coordinate with the police, militia and the Security and Order Team of Phuoc Dong commune to rescue. After many hours of searching, the working group found the 3 young men lost in the forest and it was not until 9:00 p.m. the same day that they were able to get the 3 young men out of the forest. The journey to bring the 3 victims down from the high mountain was extremely difficult because they had to overcome many steep slopes and precarious rocks, with many potential risks and dangers.

Rescue forces bring 3 victims lost in Hoang Nguu Son down the mountain. Photo: Provided by the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police Department of the Provincial Police

After the incident, the online community voiced their "indignation" because the improvisation of these people made it very difficult for the authorities to rescue them. More importantly, this is not the first time spontaneous climbers have encountered an accident. Previously, many tourists got lost and exhausted while climbing Co Tien Mountain. On March 14, 2 male tourists from Van Ninh district went to climb Co Tien Mountain and also got lost. The Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police Department of the Provincial Police worked very hard to search, rescue and ensure the safety of the tourists. Previously, in January 2024, 2 tourists from Ho Chi Minh City also had to ask for help from the authorities when they were stuck on Co Tien Mountain, unable to return due to exhaustion. The most serious of the spontaneous climbing incidents in the province was in 2020, when a group of tourists from Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh hired people from Khanh Son district to guide and carry luggage for trekking in Ta Giang mountain (Thanh Son commune, Khanh Son district) and got stuck in the forest due to prolonged rain and floods, forcing local authorities to mobilize rescue forces. The consecutive incidents show the potential risks from spontaneous mountain climbing and backpacking activities when many people lack preparation, skills and backup plans.

Mr. Nguyen Vu Thanh An - an experienced mountain climber shared that spontaneous mountain climbing can bring interesting experiences, but it needs to be done responsibly and safely. Always put safety first to have a complete and meaningful trip. For mountains like Co Tien and Hoang Nguu Son, you should not climb alone but should go in groups, with an experienced guide. When climbing, you need to be fully equipped with positioning devices, flashlights, food, water, medicine and other necessary items; update weather forecasts and have a backup plan. Do not try to climb too hard, start with easy routes and gradually increase the difficulty...

Need professional mining business

Mountain climbing and hiking are creating an attractive, different attraction, attracting many visitors, especially young people and foreigners. However, this type of tourism needs to be strictly managed and professionally organized to limit risks and ensure the safety of tourists. Unfortunately, up to now, in Nha Trang, there are no licensed businesses to operate mountain climbing and hiking tours. Many tourists who love mountain climbing have to go spontaneously or hire experienced guides. “Even hiring a guide is not necessarily safe. This is not a professional tour organizer, so there is no tour contract or travel insurance. If unfortunately there is an incident that is harmful to health, the customer will have to take responsibility. Khanh Hoa needs to soon have businesses operating mountain climbing tours licensed by the authorities,” said Mr. Nguyen Phi Hong Nguyen - Deputy Head of Khanh Hoa Tourism Association.

Nha Trang people climb Co Tien mountain. Photo: Thanh An

Talking to Khanh Hoa Newspaper reporters, Mr. Cung Quynh Anh - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that recently, the department has advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue a document directing the work of ensuring security and safety for people and tourists visiting and experiencing the Co Tien mountain area, Nha Trang City. Accordingly, the Provincial People's Committee directed Nha Trang City to coordinate with relevant agencies and units to promote propaganda on fire prevention, fighting and rescue; strengthen inspection and supervision to ensure safety for people and tourists; advise on temporary regulations for people and tourists visiting and experiencing the Co Tien mountain area. At the same time, the Provincial People's Committee assigned the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association to preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies, localities and units to develop a Project to develop the Co Tien mountain trekking tourist destination to exploit the potential and advantages of the locality; as a legal basis for exploitation to serve local people and attract tourists.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Pham Minh Nhut - Chairman of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association said that, under the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, the association is hiring a consulting unit to determine the current status of the forest environment to develop a project to develop the trekking tourist destination of Co Tien Mountain. In the immediate future, the provincial tourism industry will coordinate with the locality to strengthen propaganda for people and tourists about ensuring safety when climbing mountains in the province. To avoid risks during the trip, tourists need to carefully research the location and activities they will participate in, choose a reputable and experienced travel service company or provider. Along with that, prepare safe equipment and means; always follow the instructions and directions of the guide.

XUAN THANH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/du-lich/202506/can-quan-ly-chat-hoat-dong-leo-nui-tu-phat-6f758bf/