Hanoi: Hot Air Balloon Festival opens for 1st time

Jenna Duong - Khanh Huy

Mar 25, 2022 / 05:05 PM

The large-scale festival attracting a large number of visitors signals a booming period of Vietnam tourism once Covid-19 is under control.

The “Colorful Hanoi” hot air balloon festival, for the first time, takes place at Long Bien Longan Garden, Hanoi, from March 25 to 27.

Held by VMG Company Ltd, the festival is the highlight of the tourism stimulus program titled “Hanoi Tourism Welcomes 2022 - Get on Hanoi 2022”, taking place from March 25 to 27.

According to the organizers, for the first time in Vietnam, there are 22 hot air balloons released on the sky at a time. The hot air balloons are in various sizes, including two largest ones with 22 meters high. Each of these big balloons can carry three to four adults or five children at the same time (excluding the pilot).

Visitors will have a chance to see Hanoi from above. They are said to be safe when they stop in mid-air at an altitude of 30 to 40 meters above the surface of the Red River.

Ticket priced at VND300,000 (US$13)/adult and VND150,000 ($7)/child for one ride.

Visitors can choose to ride hot air balloons in the morning or in the afternoon in opening hours 8:00-11:00 am and 4:00-5:00 pm.

These visitors are also invited to explore the cabin of a hot air balloon.

A unique installation of hot air balloons on the banks of the Red River titled “Get on Hanoi – Night of Dreams” will run from 7:30 to 9:00 pm on the 2nd day of the festival (March 26). There will be 22 hot air balloons arranged at a corner of the Red River.

Hot air balloon festival has been held in several Southeast Asian countries, but this is the first of its kind in Hanoi.

Nguyen Dieu Linh from Cau Giay, Hanoi said that this is the first time she experiences riding a hot air balloon. “I feel extremely excited to see Hanoi from above,” she said. “However, you will feel the heat and noise when the balloon lifted off the ground,” Linh added.

According to Hoang Ngoc Nam, CEO of VMG Company Ltd, all hot air balloon pilots and technicians are experienced members of the Vietnam Balloon Club (VBC).