If you’re looking for unique and one-of-a-kind ideas for what to do in Vietnam, my number one recommendation is to go to the Duck Stop in Phong Nha!
Imagine leading a waddling army of enthusiastic ducks like some quirky farm general, squealing with laughter as they swarm your feet in a fluffy-feathered frenzy.
Add freshly made Vietnamese pancakes to the experience, the friendliest local family you’ll ever meet, and a chance of a buffalo ride and you’ve got yourself one of the most bizarrely wonderful stops in all of Vietnam.
The Duck Stop is a must-visit destination in the Quang Binh Province of northern Vietnam. It is a truly unique farm experience with adorable ducks, pancakes and maybe even a buffalo ride.
In this post, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about visiting the Duck Stop: what it is, what makes it so special, what to expect when you get there, and of course, my own unforgettable (and slightly chaotic) experience leading the charge of the ducks.
What is the Duck Stop
The Duck Stop truly offers an experience I never thought I needed in my life. Leading hundreds of little webbed feet minions through a small field, navigating how to walk as they stomp all over your toes. I was delusional to think I didn’t need this.
The attraction is a small family-run business on a charming farm in the heart of Phong Nha, northern Vietnam. They offer a fun-filled farm experience of Vietnamese culture through a tour of farm-grown fresh vegetables and native plants on their family farm.
Then, of course, the main attraction of their adorable duck heaven, followed by an amazing homemade crunchy Vietnamese pancake.
Tour details
The farm operates in small groups, which gives you space to get some personal time with the duckies, and even water buffalo if you choose!
Entry fee: ₫ 100,000 / $4 USD
Location: 10 km distance from the village of Phong Nha
The attraction allows visitors of all ages to join in on the fun, so its perfect for family and solo travelers alike.
What the tour offers
Open daily, the family-run farm welcomes walk-ins during its operating hours, and the vibe is refreshingly casual. You don’t need to book in advance; just show up and be treated to a warm welcome into the fun.
Once you arrive, the experience begins with a friendly introduction to the local farm life and its story. You’ll meet the local family behind the operation, learn a bit about their sustainable farming practices, and get a quick (and humorous) briefing on what you’re about to get into.
You’ll then choose between two experience packages:
The Classic Duck Experience
This option includes:
- A small group of 4-6 people
- About 40 minutes of “duck time” in the duck pen where you’ll feed, guide, and frolic with a large flock of lively ducks (prepare for some serious toe-tickling).
- A taste of the farm’s signature crispy rice paper pancakes, one of the delicious local dishes!
The Full Duck + Buffalo Experience
This includes everything above, plus time with the farm’s friendly water buffalo.
Whichever option you choose, the experience is full of charm, authenticity, and joy
(Note: The pancakes are so good, and they offer a vegetarian option if needed)
My experience on the Duck Stop tour
I opted for the classic experience, just the duck time (plus the legendary savory pancake, of course). Let me tell you: this duck farm was every bit as chaotic, heartwarming, and hysterical as I’d hoped.
The adventure began with a mysterious but mandatory footwear change for the whole group. Why? No one really explained, but I embraced it.
Slipping into my stylish new farm sandals, I felt very stylish. Then came the finishing touch: the iconic Vietnamese nón lá hat, which instantly transformed me from confused tourist to full-blown Duck General.
Once outfitted in official duck-charming attire, it was time to step into their duck pen domain, which was a large fenced pen filled with dozens (if not hundreds) of flapping, waddling, feathery friends.
The moment I walked in, they spotted the food in my hand and charged. I was not prepared for the bombardment of ducks but their webbed feet were anything but ferocious.At first, I braced myself for impact because it genuinely looked like a stampede of feathers.
These ducks may be determined, but they’re harmless. Their webbed feet pattered all over my toes, their beaks gently pecked for food, and within seconds, I was laughing uncontrollably. It’s like a feathered foot massage meets surprise flash mob.
Adding to the fun experience are the duck stop guides. They were very energetic, super welcoming, and clearly enjoy what they do. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and they did a great job making everyone feel at ease around the ducks. They also took a lot of pleasure in watching us freak out over the duck swarms (so they may let you run around for a bit).
A guide helped direct the show, tossing feed and offering tips of how to interact with the ducks, but really, once in the pen, we were made the stars of the show. Leading the ducks from one end to the other, circling around, and pretending we were one with the flock, it’s as weird and fantastic as it sounds.
Feeding the ducks
The duck feeding works in rotating turns, and when it was my time to step up, I grabbed a generous handful of feed and slowly lowered it into the swarm of feathered madness.
The beaks biting at every exposed section of my hand actually really tickled. I never thought of beaks being filled with saliva, but my hand came back wet. I left that pen feeling like I had made an unspoken, slightly damp pact with the duck kingdom.
At one point, we were invited to sit down on a bench while the guides tossed feed at our feet. That’s when the real madness began. The ducks came at us from all angles, climbing over each other, slipping between our legs, flapping and quacking in full duckish delight.
After this, it was time to become the duck beacon of light. AKA the Duck Leader.
Become the duck leader
The duck leader is the quirky experience that really sold me on this farm. They literally trained us to guide the ducks from one end of the field to the other, like we were their chosen commander. With arms outstretched and a determined waddle, you’ll lead the feathered troops in a glorious march, while the staff cheers.
We were given a full interactive presentation of how to interact with the adorable ducks properly while holding a bucket of duck food. Here are the steps:
- Shake the food and shake the body – it gives good vibes
- Quack to establish you are one with the ducks
- Quack LOUDER to establish your dominance
- Throw some food to make the beaked cuties bow
- Feel like a badass duck boss
That’s it.
It’s really simple, actually!
The end of the Duck Stop tour
As we walked back to the seating area, we were followed by the masses of duckie joy.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, we were greeted with the perfect ending: a plate of crispy, savory pancakes rolled in rice paper and dipped into rich peanut sauce.
I can talk for a while about my time at the Duck Stop but, nothing can have fully prepared me for the pure joy this place brought. A mix of the warm welcome, the chaos of the duck frenzy, and the peaceful rural setting, this was a truly unique farm experience that had me laughing for hours and smiling for days.
Conclusion
If you’re planning your trip through Vietnam, this is without a doubt a must-visit destination. With friendly animals, and a setting surrounded by beautiful scenery, the Duck Stop is easy to reach and even easier to fall in love with.
The affordable prices of the tour also made it easy on my travel budget in Vietnam, and for anyone looking for an exciting activity to join, both solo or with a family!
Thanks to its proximity to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and other nearby attractions, it was an easy trip and the perfect, fun-filled addition to my Phong Nha itinerary.
My biggest tip? Go in with confidence. Embrace the silly, the strange, and the downright delightful. That’s how a Duck Leader truly leads.
You’ll leave with muddy feet, a full stomach, a lighter heart, and maybe even a cold beer in hand. But more than anything, you’ll walk away with an unforgettable experience (and maybe a few dozen ducks).
Let me know how your adventure goes and if you had as much fun at the Duck Stop as I did. I wish you the best time and happy travels!
How to get to the Duck Stop
The Duck Stop is located in Bong Lai Valley, just a short motorbike or taxi ride (around 8–12 km) from Phong Nha town. It’s easiest to get to by scooter or bicycle if you’re exploring the Bong Lai Valley Loop, which includes other fun stops like the Pub With Cold Beer and the Dark Cave.
The road is mostly paved, with some bumpy patches near the end—but the scenery along the way is absolutely worth it. Rolling rice fields, water buffaloes grazing lazily, and small village life make for a peaceful and picturesque journey.
Additional Vietnam Information
Accommodation
I use hostel world when looking for hostels or private rooms when I travel. Especially in Vietnam, it has proven to be the easiest and cheapest way for me to book my accommodations.
I have also been recommended to use Agoda by multiple people for hostel/hotel booking in Asia. It is a competitor app for travel booking so it has some amazing prices!
Sim Card
You can buy SIM cards at most airports, but e-sims are easier to get data in other countries. You can buy your plan before you go to any country and have data ready for you as soon as you land. Airalo is great for e-sims, it covers over 180 countries and is so easy to use!
Transportation
Grab is the “Uber” of Vietnam. They have competing prices so it’s good to check out both!
Vexere is also the local app for booking overnight buses between major cities. It’s half the price of booking transportation with hotels or hostels.
Other Vietnam-related posts
- Basic Vietnamese words and Phrases to learn for your Trip to Vietnam
- Vietnam Travel Guide: A Complete City-by-City Guide 2025
- The Most Amazing Experience Making Vietnamese Coffee Recipes
- Vietnam’s Ha Giang Loop: The Ultimate Motorbike Adventure
- Discover the duck stop: A Unique Experience in Vietnam
- Beautiful Places to go to in Vietnam: Ninh Binh
- A Unique Vietnam Experience in Phong Nha: The Dark Cave Tour
