British couple capture Vietnam’s charm through rural experiences
VOV.VN - Beyond sightseeing, a growing number of international visitors to Vietnam are seeking immersive experiences rooted in local daily life, as illustrated by the journey of a British couple who turned farm work and ducks into a lasting personal memory.
Ollie and Rim are travel vloggers who document personal journeys across Asia. In early 2026, they travelled from the Philippines to Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, then continued by sleeper bus to Da Nang city before arriving in Phong Nha of Quang Tri province for a relaxing getaway. What began as a relaxing trip turned into what Ollie called an experience that could only be found in Vietnam.
Dressed like farmers and wearing conical hats, Ollie and Rim quickly blended into the peaceful countryside setting, surrounded by chickens, buffaloes, ducks, and the simple daily rhythms of village life.
The two visitors were thrilled to herd a flock of more than 100 ducks running in a long line. Under the guidance of the farm manager, they scattered rice grains on the ground, and the ducks immediately rushed in to compete for food.
The couple also tried the “duck massage” experience, in which rice was sprinkled over visitors’ legs so that ducks gathered around and pecked at the grains.
Rim and her husband even lay down on the ground to let the ducks swarm around them and peck grains all over their bodies, before holding ducks for souvenir photos.
After a short stay in the rural area of Phong Nha, Ollie and Rim chose to commemorate their visit with matching tattoos of a duck wearing a Vietnamese conical hat - a modest image that reflects their hands-on experience of local farm life.
In Quang Tri, duck farm tours, commonly known as “Duck Stop” or “Duck Farm,” have become a popular destination for international tourists.
The Duck Stop, which was featured by The New York Times in 2019 as "a popular budget travel experience attracting backpackers," allows visitors to experience farm life by doing tasks like herding ducks, feeding them and taking care of buffaloes.
“The Duck Stop” offers a prominent community-based tourism model focused on agricultural activities and life experiences. It has attracted the attention of both foreign and Vietnamese tourists.
Hanoi eco-farm excursions appeal to foreigner tourists
Duong Lam ancient village in the town of Son Tay on the outskirts of Hanoi, once renowned for its architectural charm and culinary traditions, has become a magnet for foreign visitors as it offers an authentic farm experience.
