Tragic Accident: Woman Dies After Off-Road Vehicle Plunges into Bau Trang Lake

Picture courtesy of VN Express

A tragic accident occurred near the central beach city of Phan Thiet, leaving one woman dead after an off-road vehicle carrying eight tourists plunged down a sand dune into Bau Trang Lake. The incident happened at approximately 10 a.m. on Sunday, as a group of eight female tourists from Ho Chi Minh City had rented the vehicle to explore the picturesque sand dunes of the area.

After a brief photo session by the lake, the tourists, along with their driver, 33-year-old Vong Thanh Cuong, re-entered the vehicle to continue their excursion. However, the vehicle unexpectedly rolled backward into the lake. While the driver and several passengers were promptly rescued by nearby individuals, one tourist, 56-year-old Le Thi Thu Thuy, remained trapped inside the submerged vehicle. Rescue personnel arrived swiftly, but unfortunately, it was too late to save Thuy's life.

Authorities in Binh Thuan Province, where Phan Thiet is located, have launched an investigation to determine the cause of this devastating accident. Bau Trang, nicknamed a "mini Sahara Desert" and located in Bac Binh District about 60 km north of Phan Thiet City, is renowned for its vast sand dunes, two large lakes, and scenic forest areas, drawing thousands of visitors each year.

Despite its allure, the area presents inherent risks. Tourism authorities have persistently issued warnings to off-road tour operators, urging them against taking visitors to potentially hazardous areas, especially after significant erosion was observed at the foot of the sand dunes in 2023. This incident underscores the critical importance of adhering to safety guidelines to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-05-26