Foreign Tourist Collapses on Hai Van Pass Amid Heatwave, Rescued by Locals

A 22-year-old Dutch tourist, Guus van Rees Vellinga, twice collapsed on Vietnam's scenic Hai Van Pass due to extreme heat and exhaustion, prompting swift rescue efforts by local residents. The tourist has since recovered after receiving medical attention. On the afternoon of July 28, while cycling towards Hue, Vellinga experienced his first collapse around 11 AM on the Hai Van Pass. Ton Quang Khiet, a local real estate specialist, found the young man disoriented and immediately provided water and sugary snacks, suspecting heatstroke and low blood sugar. After regaining consciousness, Vellinga rested at a nearby cafe before continuing his journey. However, Vellinga collapsed again around 2 PM, shortly after arriving at a pre-booked restaurant in Lang Co, Hue. Lai Thang, a restaurant employee, along with other patrons, administered first aid, including applying ice packs and giving him sugary drinks. Observing signs of convulsions and pain after 15 minutes, Thang transported Vellinga to Hoa Khanh Hospital in Da Nang. Doctors diagnosed him with exhaustion and heatstroke from strenuous activity over a long distance. Later that afternoon, once Vellinga's condition stabilized, Thang assisted him back to his hotel in Da Nang, helping with his luggage and arranging for the retrieval of his bicycle. Vellinga, who arrived in Da Nang from Thailand on July 23, stated that the intense heat had overwhelmed him. "I was lucky to be helped by the local people, which made my experience in Vietnam even more wonderful," he expressed. Information Source: VnExpress