When 24-year-old Phoebe set out for a hike in Sa Pa, Vietnam, she expected scenic views, fresh mountain air, and a bit of adventure—but she didn't anticipate being guided by a local expert with four paws and a wagging tail.
Phoebe and a few fellow travelers were staying at Moc Home Sapa homestay, and had just left their accommodation when a friendly dog named Pencil decided to tag along.
"When we checked with the staff they said he loves to go on the walks and treks with guests," Phoebe, who didn't give her surname, told Newsweek. "[He] knows his way around the local paths."
True to his reputation, Pencil took the lead, confidently navigating the winding trails as the group followed behind. The unexpected tour guide turned the trek into a unusually wholesome hike.
"We loved having the dog join us, made the hike a unique experience and he was so wholesome to have as company," Phoebe said.
She shared the adorable moment on TikTok in a video that has now been viewed over 900,000 times since being shared at the end of May, and delighted travelers and pet lovers alike.
"I didn't expect it to blow up so big, but glad to bring exposure to how beautiful this part of Vietnam and the lovely homestay," Phoebe said.
As the video gained viral attention, people shared their reactions in the comments.
"That's so sweet! Did he get a tip?" asked one commenter. While another joked: "This was the expectation that the books I read as a child set me up for."
"He took you to all his favorite spots," said another delighted viewer.
With his charm and local expertise, Pencil has proven his worth as a "tour guide" and even prompted viewers to start planning trips to visit him. "I NEED this experience," said one interested viewer.
While another commenter said: "Is this... is this a live action Pixar movie? And did y'all give Pencil all the belly rubs and treats?"
Hiking and adventure tourism are popular parts of Vietnam travel, but can carry risks too. The U.S. State Department warned any potential travelers: "The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field."
In the past decade a number of tourists have died or been injured while in rural and mountainous areas in Vietnam where flash floods, poor terrain and landslides are all risks.
In early 2025, local authorities in Dak Nong's Central Highlands imposed a ban on unsupervised volcanic cave access after a tourist fell to their death. In 2024 a typhoon and flash flooding across northern Vietnam led to the deaths of at least 59 people when a bridge collapsed in the Phu Tho province.
For Phoebe, while their adventure was magical it's not an isolated incident. In 2022 a canine guide on a mountain trek in Peru helped a solo hiker. The man shared how he had a surprise meeting with a dog when trekking at over 15,000 feet in the Peruvian mountains.
"I wasn't 100 per cent sure I was going in the right direction, but the dog trotted on ahead quite confidently, so I trusted him," the man said.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.