Former NRL star Jamal Idris has been involved in a terrifying kidnap attempt while on holidays in Vietnam.

Idris was on a Contiki tour in Ho Chi Minh City when he became separated from his group.

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He then encountered a group of individuals he allegedly tried to kidnap the former Penrith Panthers star.

The kidnappers were violent and tried to extort a large sum of money from Idris, who then made a frantic phone call back to family in Sydney.

His brother and mother advised the Australian Federal Police, who told Idris to leave the country immediately.

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Idris' mother, Alana, contacted Contiki on Facebook on Saturday fearing for the safety of her son.

"It's a matter of life and death ... can't stress the importance of this message," she wrote.

The travel organisation later reported back to Alana, saying it had located Idris and confirmed his safety.

Jamal idris is safe pic.twitter.com/UzH6UJoEtm — Alicia (@AQuinn14586) February 21, 2016

The 25-year-old is on an indefinite break from the game after being granted a release from the Panthers last November on compassionate grounds.

He has played 131 first grade games in stints at Canterbury, Gold Coast and then Penrith.

He has also played one State of Origin game for NSW and one Test for Australia.