Forget fish massage, it’s era of duck massage

One more thing to do in Quang Binh province of Vietnam besides well-known places as Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. This nonstop-laughing experience with the duck and the local at The Duck Stop would complete your trip to Phong Nha.

What attractions at the Duck Stop?
The Duck Stop Farm is a brainchild of 20-year-old Tran Van Quynh who is the owner of the Duck Heaven of 120 ducks. The duck games are silly and fun, great experience and well worth it.

Begin your farming experience by snacking on some peanuts and black pepper grown on the farm and interacting the family that run it. Cassava and rice are also grown here.

Visitors will be guided for the first attempt at getting the duck massage, on how to hold a handful of seeds in their cupped palms and allow the ducks to munch them and thank you by giving you a duck massage. You may think it’s similar to the famous fish massage in Thailand where people put their legs in water tanks full of small fish that nibble at the skin, but it’s not. It’s totally fun noisy massage with full of “quack quack quack” duck shouting.

                                                              LOL with duck massage

After duck massage service, the Duck Leader section is introduced where visitors become a captain of hundreds of ducks. Just hold a handful of seeds in one hand, and shaking a box in the other, ducks will chase you around the cage, there is no way for escape. After reaching one end of the cage, the tourist throws the seeds up in the air, allowing hungry ducks to devour them as they fall to the ground. Being a captain not easy as it looks, needed a lot of effort and dedication, not everyone could make the ducks listen and follow.

                                                            Being chased by a flock of duck

"The performance makes you look like a real captain. This is probably one of the most exciting things I've done in Vietnam. Now I have discovered a job I could do if I was unemployed in the future, leading a flock of ducks." said James, a tourist from Australia.

After ducking around, get changed and head over to the nearby river to cool off the water buffalo, affectionately known as Big Don. Before riding the buffalos, tourists are given a conical hat and a pair of sandals. Sit on Big Don and ride through the water. 

                                                                                Buffalo riding

Get a refreshing hose-down and enjoy a soft drink and a small bite to eat freshly prepared by the mother of the family; a local dish of Vietnamese pancake (banh xeo) wrapped in rice paper and homemade peanut sauce. 

To end the day, visitors could go to contemplate the sunset at the Farmstay with a good beer and fresh fruits.

                                                                           Phong Nha farmstay

How much is this trip? How do you get there?
The "Duck Stop" is located near the Phong Nha - Ke Bang Cave in Quang Binh Province, about 8km from the city centre. It has become a very popular destination of late. There’s no bus, they don’t want 1000’s of people there as it’s a small farm and the family home. Rent a scooter or a bicycle or arrange transportation through your hotel, enjoy the journey, see some sights and have a great day out.

A visit to this farm costs between VND150,000 ($6.47) and VND250,000 ($10.78) for the duck and buffalo experience, a drink and food, depending on the activities you choose.

The natural landscape and fresh air in the countryside makes a visit to this farm a delightful experience for many tourists. If you are in Phong Nha you cannot miss the duck stop! Heaps of cute ducks, a friendly water buffalo, lovely staff and a delicious Vietnamese snack – what more could you want!