Search and rescue officers said on Sunday they may have found the body of a 24-year-old man who was reported missing since May 12 while embarking on a journey through a popular trekking trail in central Vietnam.

The corpse was discovered underwater near Lao Phao Waterfall, located in Phan Dung Commune, Tuy Phong District in the south-central province of Binh Thuan, Hoang Van Duy, chairman of the commune’s administration confirmed on Sunday evening.

Competent authorities are carrying out an autopsy to check if it belongs to 24-year-old T.A.K., who has gone missing while trekking from Ta Nang Commune in the Central Highlands of Lam Dong to Phan Dung Commune in Binh Thuan.

K. was among a group of seven trekkers who took on the Ta Nang - Phan Dung trail on May 11.

K. has been nowhere to be found from the second day of the trip.

Other members of the group have been asking for help from local residents, authorities, as well as on social media, to search for their missing friend.

Many have responded to the call.

A section of the Ta Nang - Phan Dung journey. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Experienced trekkers from across the country, who are familiar with the trekking route, also sent useful tools such as power banks and walkie-talkies to assist the search and rescue efforts.

The Ta Nang - Phan Dung route is deemed the most beautiful trekking trail in the country.

It stretches about 60 kilometers, crossing Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan Provinces, and takes about 36 to 47 hours to finish.

However, the excursion is also highly dangerous, especially for backpackers who embark on the journey without an experienced guide.

Local authorities have been warning travelers of the risks, but admitted that it is difficult to manage trekking activities on the route.

In October 2017, a female traveler died after being washed away while crossing Yavly Stream in Phan Dung Commune, which is part of the trekking route.

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