Phong Nha’s Famous Duck Stop – How to Become a Duck Leader

On any tour in Phong Nha, Vietnam, there's one absolute must-see and somewhat weird attraction: the Duck Stop in Bong Lai Valley. It still has so much local appeal and interactive fun from feeding and playing with the ducks to taking a buffalo for a ride, this place is indeed an experience within itself.  

I would rate it as the the funniest place of Vietnam and is in my list of top things to do in Phong Nha!!

What is the Duck Stop?

Duck Stop is a family-run farm set amidst the lush and scenic Bong Lai Valley, about 10-15 minutes away from Phong Nha Town Centre. Visitors may allow themselves to be a bit free to play with the ducks or to join some funny farm activities. The location is rather proximate to other Phong Nha attractions, so the place will be suitable for travelers who need to balance stunning caves and trails dotting this region with the taste of rural life.

Key Activities at Duck Stop

1. Duck Massage

One such favorite activity here is the "duck massage." Given a handful of duck food, guests sit and get surrounded by pecking, nibbling ducks at their feet. A really tickly, funny experience! This is the one of the funniest parts of the trip. The duck massage is much the same as fish spas around the world, but it is with ducks, and thus much more memorable because of that!
I bet you a dollar you can't hold your laughs here...

2. Become the Duck Leader Game

I you came here searching about where to be a Duck Leader in Vietnam then duck stop is the pace to be!" You will be given a pail of duck food and take a walk with a bunch of following ducks practically hanging on for dear life to grab the treats. It's quite a hilarious game where you will end up with a bunch of ducks chasing you across the farm which is a photo opportunity if ever there was one.

3. Riding the Buffalo with 'Donald Trump'

For an additional small fee (50k VND) you can ride a local water buffalo aptly named "Donald Trump" through rice fields and shallow water for a great taste of how farm life was traditionally done in Vietnam. You will get a little wet, but that's part of the fun of rustic life. 
If you ask me, it wasn't that fun compared to the duck leader game or duck tickling experience. Totally up to you.

4. Vietnamese Pancakes and a drink

After spending time with the ducks and buffalo, guests are served freshly homemade banh xeo which is the common pancake of Vietnam, rolled around bean sprouts, pork, and fried onions in rice paper. With a locally-made peanut sauce, this is really a heavenly snack to conclude your visit. 
You would get a cold beer or soft drink as per your choice.

5. Farm Tour and Exploration

The Duck Stop will introduce you to Vietnamese agriculture, complete with open views of peanuts, cassava, and peppercorn trees. A short tour around this farm shows how the crops are grown and allows guests to sample freshly picked peanuts, while learning the local methods of farming that keep this family business going.

How to get to The Duck Stop

• Location: Bong Lai Valley, Phong Nha, Quang Binh Province (Quang Tri). 
  Map to reach Duck stop : Google maps link

• Price: ~$6 (150,000 VND) for the full experience of going in with ducks, a buffalo ride, and snacks. A drink of your choice is included in the package which will either be a soft drink or a cold beer. And no, thankfully they do not serve the duck as food in case you are wondering like us ;)

• Getting There: From Phong Nha town, you can access Duck Stop by either motorbike or taxi (there is no public transport to the duck stop). It takes roughly 10-15 minutes (8 to 10 km), though the roads might be a little muddy during rain. We highly recommend getting a motorbike on rent in Phong Nha since taxis are costly and not convenient. 

Motorbike should cost around 150k VND per day excluding petrol. You can bargain it down to 120k VND depending on your skills!

Other Attractions around Bong Lai Valley

While in Bong Lai Valley, there is plenty to see and do worth taking your time for. This includes the famous Pub With Cold Beer, with its farm-fresh meals, and Bong Lai Swing Nature Farm, which will give you the opportunity to take a giant swing over a valley view. There is also the nearby Cuong Rung Farm with its great views via a monkey bridge, able to be crossed on a bike.

Is Duck Stop Worth Visiting

Duck Stop offers a refreshing break from the usual sightseeing in Phong Nha and is especially welcomed by travelers needing a break from trekking the iconic caves of the national park. Affordable, fun, and assisting a local family, this is a memorable and laughter-filled way for travelers to interact with the region's rural culture.

Let's just say the duck stop experience will be umm interesting!

FAQ

Q. Is the Duck Stop ethical?
Yes. The ducks at the Duck Stop are treated humanely and kept clean with care so hygiene and animal welfare aren’t issues and setting is also quite safe and peaceful.

Q. Where is the Duck Stop Vietnam?
It’s in Bong Lai Valley of Quang Tri Province, about 8 to 10km from Phong Nha town.

Q. Is Duck Stop suitable for kids?
Yes, kids always like playing in Duck Stop, playing the Duck Leader game, and feeding ducks.

Q. What are the opening hours?
Duck Stop opens daily from 08:30 AM to 6:00 PM. It remains open for 7 days a week.

Q. What do I wear at Duck Stop?
Wear clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting dirty or wet, especially if you're going to try the buffalo ride.

Q. Is the Duck Massage safe?
The massage with ducks is completely non-threatening, and if anything, it's just very tickly. It's a weird experience, but it's totally harmless.

Q. Do I need to make any advance reservations?
Generally, reservations are not required, but at busy times of year, one should call in advance to secure the booking.

Q. Are there places to eat nearby?
It depends, or there are some Vietnamese pancakes at the Duck Stop, or head to restaurants along Bong Lai Valley, such as Pub With Cold Beer. 
You can find the best places to eat in Phong nha on our travel blog also.

Q. How much time am I allowed to spend here?
Most guests spend about 2-3 hours here because all events with snack consumption take that much time.