Police in Vietnam's north-western highlands are searching for Khalid Aldawoud, a 49-year-old Kuwaiti traveller who has not been seen since the morning of November 7. The case has prompted a wide appeal across Sa Pa, the popular mountain town that draws hikers and motorbike riders year-round.

According to Sa Pa Ward Police in Lao Cai Province, Mr Aldawoud left Green Sapa Homestay on a motorbike at around 10am on November 7 and never came back. He had checked in during late October and was booked to stay until the end of November, travelling alone. Staff say he greeted them normally that morning but gave no hint of where he was headed. He left all his belongings behind at the homestay, along with a phone number that has since gone dead.

The description issued by police is detailed. He is roughly 1.7 metres tall with a slim build, and was last seen wearing a thigh-length brownish-orange long-sleeved tunic, grey trousers and a blue helmet with a visor. He habitually carries a smoking pipe. He was riding a red-and-black Yamaha PG-1 with licence plate 25AA-526.78 — a small, distinctive model that locals should be able to recognise.

Officers have asked hotels, homestays, restaurants, attractions and residents in Sa Pa and surrounding districts to keep an eye out. Anyone with information is asked to call Sa Pa Ward Police on 0214 378 9999 or approach the nearest station.

If you are travelling in or around Sa Pa in the coming days, this appeal is directly relevant: the search area covers popular trekking routes and neighbouring districts, and a sighting of the motorbike could make a real difference. It's also a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong in the highlands, where fog rolls in fast, phone signal is patchy on the trails, and riders unfamiliar with steep mountain roads can end up a long way off course. Leaving a rough route plan with your accommodation, keeping your phone charged, and carrying ID are simple habits that pay off here — and if you rent a motorbike, note the plate and take a photo of it before you set off.

Anyone with updates or sightings is urged to contact the police number above rather than speculating online.