Recently, videos of foreign tourists experiencing rural life in Vietnam, such as planting rice and plowing fields in Sa Pa, threshing rice, bathing buffaloes in Ninh Binh, and harvesting coffee in the Central Highlands, have become social media sensations.

A recent example is a video by Tina, a 24-year-old Norwegian student, who captured her experience as a “duck leader” in Phong Nha (Quang Binh Province). The video has attracted 2.5 million views on TikTok and 4.2 million views on Instagram. Tina shared that she paid $4 (approximately 100,000 VND) for the activity.

“I never expected my video to receive so much love on social media. It was a unique experience when I visited Phong Nha. I was shown how to feed the ducks, try herding them, and enjoy local dishes,” Tina told VietNamNet.

Under her video, many foreign viewers expressed curiosity, asking for details about the location and the provider of the tour.

Tina explained that she was traveling independently and not as part of a tour. “I drove to a village in Phong Nha, told the locals I wanted to try herding ducks, and they let me do it,” she said.

Some viewers argued that paying 100,000 VND for a few minutes of duck herding was "expensive," but Tina thought it was worth it.

“This might be an ordinary activity for locals, but for someone like me, it was new and fascinating,” she explained.

Tina is spending her six-month Southeast Asia journey using her savings, with 40 days dedicated to exploring Vietnam from north to south, including Hanoi, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

“I had seen many images of Vietnam and always dreamed of seeing it with my own eyes. Vietnam was the country I most wanted to explore,” Tina shared.

Memorable moments in Vietnam

Tina recorded many special moments during her trip. She particularly admired Ha Giang, calling it “the most breathtaking place I’ve ever seen.”

“I drove through winding mountain passes and was overwhelmed by the stunning landscape of the mountains. It’s a place I’ll never forget,” she said.

She also enjoyed climbing Mua Cave in Ninh Binh and rowing a bamboo basket boat through the coconut forests in Hoi An (Quang Nam).

“Traveling in Vietnam is beautiful, exciting, and incredibly affordable, especially compared to my home country. Getting around is easy, whether by overnight bus or motorbike,” she said.

Tina was also “completely won over” by Vietnamese cuisine, particularly banh xeo (crispy pancakes). She tried several traditional duck dishes and found them delightful. Tina expressed her eagerness to return to Vietnam if given the chance.

Linh Trang