The search for a missing young climber on Hoang Ngu Son mountain in Khanh Hoa province came to a tragic end at midday on August 10, 2025. After nearly a week of exhaustive efforts, rescue teams discovered the body of Nguyen Ba Khanh Cuong, a 22-year-old resident of Phan Rang ward, in a deep ravine roughly five kilometers from the mountain’s base. The incident has cast a somber shadow over the local climbing community and raised urgent questions about safety on Vietnam’s challenging mountain trails.
According to ANTV and Baovephapluat, Nguyen Ba Khanh Cuong set out alone on his first-ever climb of Hoang Ngu Son early on August 4, 2025. He parked his motorbike at a family’s home near the foot of the mountain before beginning his ascent. Security camera footage from a nearby house showed Cuong starting his climb at around 9:10 AM. Later that afternoon, he sent a jubilant photo from the mountain’s peak to his family—a moment of pride and excitement that, tragically, would be his last communication.
When Cuong failed to return home by evening and could not be reached by phone, his family grew anxious. By 6:00 PM, they had reported his disappearance to local authorities. Friends quickly mobilized, sharing news of the missing climber on social media and attempting their own search the following day, but their efforts yielded no clues. The situation soon escalated, drawing in both professional and volunteer searchers from across the region.
On August 5, the Firefighting and Rescue team of Khanh Hoa province dispatched seven officers to begin combing the mountain’s treacherous terrain. From August 6 onward, the search expanded dramatically, with hundreds of experienced climbers from neighboring provinces joining the effort. The teams were equipped with specialized gear—sniffer dogs, drones, walkie-talkies, and other modern tools—to aid in their mission. The scale and intensity of the operation reflected both the difficulty of the task and the deep concern felt by the climbing and local communities.
Hoang Ngu Son, standing at 972 meters, is the tallest peak in Nha Trang and a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Yet its popularity belies the dangers lurking along its slopes. The mountain is notorious for its steep, winding trails, dense forests, and labyrinthine network of side paths. Massive boulders and deep ravines punctuate the landscape, making navigation hazardous even for seasoned hikers. The search teams meticulously marked every route they covered, employing a “fishbone” search pattern to ensure that no possible path was overlooked.
By August 9, the search had grown even more methodical. Teams retraced their steps, checking and rechecking every side trail and marking each searched area. The operation’s painstaking nature underscored the mountain’s perilous features—dense undergrowth, unpredictable terrain, and sudden drops into hidden ravines. For many involved, the effort was not just a search but a race against time and the elements.
At 11:30 AM on August 10, hope turned to heartbreak. Searchers located Cuong’s body in a dangerous, deep ravine on the eastern side of the mountain, precisely matching the last known location of his mobile phone before its battery died. The ravine’s depth and inaccessibility had hampered earlier search efforts. Local officials, speaking to Baovephapluat, confirmed that the victim was found deceased at the bottom of the gorge. After a thorough forensic examination, authorities and volunteers carefully transported Cuong’s remains down the mountain and handed them over to his grieving family.
The circumstances surrounding Cuong’s death remain under investigation. While the cause has not yet been officially determined, the mountain’s geography and the timeline of events suggest the possibility of a fatal misstep or fall. The tragedy has prompted a wave of reflection among local climbers and officials alike. Hoang Ngu Son’s allure as a recreational destination is undeniable, but the risks it poses—especially to solo or inexperienced climbers—are now in sharper focus than ever.
The rescue operation itself was a testament to the community’s solidarity and resourcefulness. Professional firefighters and rescue personnel worked side by side with volunteer climbers, many of whom traveled from distant provinces to assist. The use of modern technology—drones for aerial surveys, sniffer dogs to track scent, and walkie-talkies for coordination—demonstrated how traditional search-and-rescue efforts are being augmented by new tools. Yet, as this case so painfully illustrates, even the most determined and well-equipped teams can be stymied by the unpredictable hazards of nature.
For many in Nha Trang and beyond, the incident has become a somber reminder of the importance of preparation and caution when venturing into the wilderness. Local authorities are urging climbers to avoid hiking alone, especially on unfamiliar or challenging terrain, and to inform friends or family of their planned routes and expected return times. They also emphasize the need for proper equipment, including GPS devices, extra food and water, and emergency signaling tools.
The tragedy has also sparked calls for improved safety measures on Hoang Ngu Son and similar destinations. Suggestions include better signage, more frequent patrols, and the establishment of emergency shelters or communication points along popular trails. While these measures cannot eliminate all risks, they may help prevent future heartbreak for families and communities.
According to ANTV, the search for Nguyen Ba Khanh Cuong was marked by urgency and determination from the outset. Authorities acted swiftly, and the outpouring of support from both professionals and volunteers was extraordinary. Yet the mountain’s formidable terrain proved a daunting adversary, and the outcome was not the one anyone had hoped for.
As the investigation into the cause of the accident continues, many are left reflecting on the delicate balance between adventure and safety. Hoang Ngu Son will remain a draw for climbers and nature lovers, but the memory of this loss will linger, serving as both a warning and a call to vigilance for all who seek to explore Vietnam’s wild places.
