Boy Found Alive After Five Days Lost in Vietnamese Forest

A six-year-old boy who went missing in a forest in Vietnam has been found alive after a five-day search. Dang Tien Lam, from Yen Bai province in northwestern Vietnam, was last seen on August 17 playing with his nine siblings near a stream. As he wandered into the surrounding hills, he lost his way and became separated from his family.

The boy’s disappearance prompted an extensive search operation. Local farmers, who were working on clearing a cinnamon field near the forest, heard a child’s cry on Wednesday. Following the sound, they discovered Lam sitting in cassava bushes about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from where he had originally gone missing. By this time, Lam was extremely weak and unable to stand.

“I’m so tired, I can’t stand up, please carry me up,” Lam reportedly told 52-year-old farmer Ly Van Nang. The young boy had managed to survive by foraging for leaves, wild fruits, and drinking from the stream. He was found wearing a red T-shirt and shorts, which were heavily soiled.

Photos shared online show the boy being cared for by locals, who offered him cake and other comforts once he was safely out of the forest. Lam recounted his ordeal to Mr. Nang, explaining that he had become increasingly disoriented and unable to find his way home as he ventured further into the woods.

The local police described Lam’s survival as a “miracle,” expressing their joy and relief at his safe return. In a Facebook post, they congratulated Lam’s family and praised the efforts of the search team.

The search involved over 150 people, including police officers, soldiers, and local volunteers. The community’s collective effort was widely appreciated, with social media users celebrating Lam’s safe return and expressing gratitude to those who participated in the search.