A group of nine Australian men visiting Ha Giang province spent four days exploring the region and had some unexpected adventures, from moving bricks under the midday sun to helping locals carry motorcycles through flooded roads.
The unusual experience went viral after a video captured the tourists, shirtless and passing bricks by hand, gaining tens of thousands of interactions on social media. Some commenters joked, “They paid to experience manual labor in Vietnam.”
According to Đinh Hùng, tour guide for Jasmine Tours, the group immediately embraced hands-on experiences. On their first day, they joined local farmers to harvest rice. By the third day, while passing through Mậu Duệ commune, they offered to help women working under the hot sun, moving a significant stack of bricks in just 30 minutes.
In a lighthearted moment, Hùng jokingly acted as “foreman,” urging the visitors to work quickly. The tourists were delighted to find themselves gaining fame online in Vietnam.
The adventures continued. On the final day, heavy rain had flooded Thượng Road in Yên Minh commune, leaving the group unable to ride through. Together, they carried each motorcycle across the chest-deep water, using wooden poles and coordinating as a team. After helping their own vehicles, the Australians stayed an extra two hours assisting locals and other tourists stranded by the flood.
Hùng noted that young foreign travelers are often eager to immerse themselves in local life. They are open, adaptable, and willing to step into the daily routines of rural communities. Tour operators in Ha Giang have responded by designing more authentic, hands-on experiences, including farm work, gardening, and living alongside local families, catering to travelers who want to connect with the region beyond traditional sightseeing.
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Source: Vietnam Insider