Trekking in the rainy season: when passion pushes the boundaries of safety.

DNO - In late October, as storms continuously swept through Central Vietnam, a video circulated on social media showing a group of young people trekking through a raging stream in the mountainous Hoa Bac area (Da Nang), causing many to worry about the level of danger.

A group of young people organized a trekking trip on sunny days at May Treo Waterfall (Hai Van Ward).

Spontaneous and adventurous

Da Nang is not just about My Khe Beach, Son Tra Peninsula, or the brightly lit Hoi An Ancient Town. Few people know that it is also a "paradise of waterfalls," from May Treo Waterfall, Ba Do Pho Waterfall (Hoa Bac), Khe Lim Waterfall (Dai Loc), Hoa Phu Thanh Waterfall, Lang Van Waterfall, to Khe Me Stream, Luong Stream…

All of these are attractive trekking destinations, where young people can reconnect with pristine nature, enjoy the thrill of trekking through forests and crossing streams, and camp amidst tranquil mountains and woodlands.

This abundance makes Da Nang an ideal destination for those who love experiential travel . However, behind those "Instagrammable" check-in photos lie a series of potential dangers, especially during the rainy season, when a sudden flood can sweep everything away.

According to our reporter's observations, most trekking groups nowadays are formed spontaneously. They are friends, colleagues, or students who connect through social media and plan a trip together over a few days.

The lack of professional guides, no terrain survey, and inadequate protective equipment are worrying realities.

In fact, there have been numerous tragic incidents in Da Nang and other central provinces where groups of young tourists recklessly cross streams during the rainy season. Many risks are involved, with some people getting trapped in the forest for hours, forcing rescue teams to intervene.

Vo Xuan Hieu, a third-year student at Duy Tan University who has participated in many trekking trips in the Hoa Bac and Dai Loc areas, shared: “Many young people love conquering and exploring nature, but the rainy season is a time with many potential risks. Many people are overconfident, thinking that a raincoat and backpack are enough. In reality, upstream floods can come unexpectedly, with water rising rapidly in just a few minutes. Without a professional guide and knowledge of the terrain, the consequences can be unpredictable.”

Hieu believes that during the summer, when the weather is more stable, trekking is safer if accompanied by an experienced person and if equipment such as ropes, life jackets, first aid supplies, and a forest map are carefully prepared.

"Safety must come first, because any journey is only meaningful when we discover and return safely," Hieu emphasized.

A warning from an insider.

Ms. Hong Nhi, a healthcare worker at an educational institution in Da Nang, is a travel enthusiast who often spends her weekends hiking and trekking through the forests.

“I once witnessed a stream rise in just a few minutes after a heavy rain. The water was muddy and flowing rapidly, and no one had time to react. Therefore, I completely oppose organizing trekking trips during the rainy season. No matter how passionate you are, you must respect nature. Just one small mistake can cost you your life,” Nhi said.

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Young people need to change their mindset that "only adventure is an experience." Thrills aren't always worth trying, especially when lacking basic survival skills and protective equipment.

Ms. Hong Nhi

According to Mr. Pham Ho, a tour guide in Da Nang with many years of experience leading trekking tours, many locations in the mountainous areas of Hoa Bac, Hoa Phu, and Nam O are very beautiful but should only be explored during the dry season.

“When it rains, the roads are slippery, the rocks are covered with moss, and a single slip can lead to an accident. Floods upstream are often sudden, and no one can predict them accurately. Professional tour companies usually completely suspend trekking tours from September to December each year for the safety of tourists,” Mr. Ho shared.

Mr. Ho believes that if local authorities and tourism management units organize more training courses on safe trekking skills, or create maps of controlled adventure tourism, then the passion for exploration among young people will be guided in the right direction.

Lessons from images that went viral on social media.

Recently, a video of a group of young people trekking in a storm, posted on social media, caused a stir online. Similar controversial images appear every year. While most incidents don't result in serious consequences, they raise a warning about the safety awareness of young people participating in adventurous tourism.

No one forbids exploring nature, as it's how humans connect with the earth and find balance after stressful workdays. However, when passion crosses safe boundaries, when warnings are ignored just to get a unique photo, travel ceases to be an experience and becomes an act of recklessness.

Da Nang is aiming for sustainable ecotourism development, including activities such as trekking, camping, and exploring forests and streams. However, for this to become a strength rather than a concern, it requires the joint efforts of local people, tourists, and authorities.

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Guided trips, planned with professional instructions and equipped with safety gear, offer a much more fulfilling experience than spontaneous trips.

"Don't let beautiful photos become painful memories. A journey is only truly memorable when everyone returns safely."

Mr. Pham Ho, tour guide

Source: https://baodanang.vn/trekking-mua-mua-khi-dam-me-vuot-qua-gioi-han-an-toan-3308350.html