Lessons from a Hanoi boy's experience of almost getting lost in Cuc Phuong forest

(Dan Tri) - The recent disappearance of a young man in Cuc Phuong forest has raised concerns about safety in the deep forest. Many people admitted that they themselves almost got lost while exploring this place.

Fear of getting lost in the deep forest

In recent days, information about a young man who was lost for many days in Cuc Phuong National Park, and has not been found yet, has attracted special attention from the public. Under related posts on social networks, many people expressed their concerns when mentioning going to the forest alone.

Some people admit to experiencing the feeling of confusion and rapid heartbeat when suddenly losing their way in the middle of the jungle.

Some people say that just standing among the tall, overlapping trees, where light hardly penetrates, is enough to make them feel small, "surrounded" by the vastness of nature.

Cuc Phuong National Park is a tourist attraction (Photo: Cuc Phuong National Park).

One account commented: “Just imagining it being dark and not being able to find a way out makes my spine shiver.” Another shared: “I went into the forest once, and after less than an hour, I saw trees everywhere I looked, unable to tell the direction, it felt very confusing.”

Someone said that he almost got lost while walking in the forest, only by luck finding a familiar landmark did he escape the confusion among the dense trees.

These shares show that the feeling of being disoriented in the forest is no longer a distant worry, but has become a real experience for many people who love exploring nature.

Mr. Nguyen Van Quang (30 years old, Hanoi ) - an athlete who regularly participates in long-distance running races and is also a leader of walking tours in the forest - also experienced a similar situation in Cuc Phuong National Park.

He recounted his near-miss story as an unforgettable experience, and at the same time drew many important lessons to share with the community of people who love traveling and outdoor sports .

Mr. Quang said he had the opportunity to participate in a 70km race in Cuc Phuong National Park in April. He felt that the primeval forest terrain here was truly impressive with tall, ancient trees, and many sections with canopy so dense that light could not penetrate.

“Running during the day with dark places, plus sharp and slippery cliffs, makes the course both beautiful and challenging to human limits,” he said.

During the race, between two relay stations at about 55-60km of the distance, Mr. Quang suddenly lost his way because the organizer's trail markings were covered by a fallen tree.

During a hiking trip in Cuc Phuong forest in April, Mr. Quang almost got lost due to disorientation (Photo: Character provided).

At risk of getting lost, the Hanoi boy was also somewhat restless and worried. However, thanks to his experience from many races in different terrains, he quickly calmed down and took advantage of his smart sports watch with integrated positioning system to determine the direction.

“In the deep forest, there is almost no phone signal, so smartphones are almost useless. Using the watch and specialized devices proficiently and making the most of their functions is extremely useful and important. It helps me determine my location, destination, altitude, terrain, slope…”, Mr. Quang said.

Lessons learned from exploring the forest

Mr. Quang also emphasized that he was experienced in moving in the forest, so he quickly regained his composure to find the right direction. However, while leading tours in the forest, he also witnessed many people getting lost because of a moment of carelessness.

Cuc Phuong National Park is vast with many tall, dense trees (Photo: Huu Nghi).

“Many people were careless and split from the group to go ahead or behind, and ended up getting lost. At that time, we had to split up and search the forest all night,” Quang shared.

Recently, stories of people getting lost in the forest have been constantly appearing. Mr. Quang emphasized that when entering the forest, the priority is safety. In addition to electronic devices, he always prepares essential items such as small knives, lighters, whistles, essential oils, basic first aid kits, flashlights, etc.

“These are all items that help in case of an accident, in which the rescue whistle and lighter are especially important in emergency situations,” said Mr. Quang.

From his own experience, Mr. Quang believes that the biggest difficulties when getting lost in the forest are the quick darkness and dense terrain, which can easily cause mental confusion. In this situation, the most important thing is to be able to observe and stay calm.

“A little tip is for the lost person to pay attention to human traces: trash like candy wrappers, plastic bottles or the direction of water flow. This could be a sign that there is a trail or that someone has been there before,” he said.

Mr. Quang also emphasized that first-time explorers of forest paths should not go alone, it is best to go in groups, with a ranger or a local as a guide. “In particular, you should leave the forest before dark,” he advised.

Mr. Quang is a person with a lot of experience walking in the forest (Photo: Character provided).

According to Mr. Quang, many people are so passionate about personal experiences that they sometimes forget about safety. He recommends that people “prevention is better than cure”, they must prepare carefully for the trip, go with experienced people and always have a backup plan.

“Going into the deep forest by yourself and then having an accident is not only dangerous for you but also affects your family, friends and society when you have to organize a search and rescue,” he advised.

From his story, Mr. Quang hopes that those who are passionate about walking, jogging through special terrain or exploring nature and forests, must always be alert and well-prepared before entering the forest.

“Cuc Phuong and many other forests in Vietnam are natural treasures. However, only when you are equipped with enough skills and caution, will each of your exploration journeys be truly complete and safe,” Mr. Quang confided.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/bai-hoc-tu-trai-nghiem-suyt-lac-trong-rung-cuc-phuong-cua-chang-trai-ha-noi-20250818212744932.htm