McAllen describes the 'heart-breaking' moment when he had to release Rab into a Hanoi Lake at end of the trip

Rab joined his travel companions in restaurants, bars and on a boat trip through the Phong Nha caves

Rab joined his travel companions in restaurants, bars and on a boat trip through the Phong Nha caves

The duck, named Rab, joined Dan McAllen, 21, and friends as they took a 1,000-mile journey around Vietnam

The duck, named Rab, joined Dan McAllen, 21, and friends as they took a 1,000-mile journey around Vietnam

Traveller gets given a 'free duck' with his motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Traveller gets given a 'free duck' with his motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam


When looking for a travel buddy to go on an epic adventure, it's customary to look within your own species.

However, one traveller has revealed he paired up with a daredevil duck on an epic two-week-long, 1,000-mile journey around Vietnam.

Rab went on the trip - even riding on a motorbike - with Dan McAllen, 21, and his friends, all from Northern Ireland, as they completed the Top Gear route through the South East Asian country.

What a trip! Rab pictured with Dan McAllen, left, and his friends in Vietnam while on a 1,000-mile adventure around the country

After getting a free duck thrown in with his motorbike when touring Vietnam, Dan McAllen, left, found himself with a new travel companion

They bought him at the same time as they bought their motorbikes for the journey - from a fellow Northern Irishman.

Dan said: 'I came across this guy in Ho Chi Minh City selling his bike and, while we were negotiating, he said I could have a free duck. Obviously, I said yes. So I got Rab and a couple of small bowls to feed him from. He was with us the whole trip and I've got some great memories of him.'

The group travelled more than 1,000 miles around the country, taking in nine cities, where Rab joined the group in restaurants and bars, pulling up an extra seat at the table so he could sit patiently with them.

Dan said: 'My fondest memory is when we took a boat trip through the Phong Nha caves. He was sat at the front of the boat just looking out over the water. Every so often he'd let out a little quack but that was it.'

Precious cargo: Rab travelled in a crate on the back of a motorbike while the friends travelled to nine Vietnamese cities

Party animal: Rab joins his friends in restaurants and bars as they keep their friendly new mascot by their sides throughout the trip

When their trip came to an end and the lads had to return home, they tried desperately to find him a new home.

Unfortunately, despite the obvious love for the bird, they couldn't find him another home and released him back into a Hanoi lake.

Dan said: 'It was absolutely heart-breaking - he was like a member of the family. He had become so attached to us that he tried to follow us away from the lake.

'We had to jump and the bikes and speed off to the airport. It's a poor area of the world but hopefully nobody has eaten him yet!'

Dan McAllen and pals had bonded with Rab the duck so strongly that they found it heart-breaking to release him into a Hanoi lake at the end of their travels

Epic adventure: Dan, pictured left, carrying his feathered friend while travelling Vietnam with friends

Setting sail: Rab the duck perches on a boat as they explore the waters of the South East Asian country

Are we there yet? Dan, pictured holding Rab, was given the duck as he and his friends bought motorcycles for an adventure across Vietnam

Excellent adventure: The friends carried out the Top Gear motorbike route of Vietnam - accompanied by Rab the duck