The companies behind what is said to be the maiden helicopter tourism service in northern Vietnam are confident that it can easily find passengers, who are willing to pay US$2,400 for every hour traveling onboard the chopper.

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The service, officially launched on Monday by KLF Global JSC in cooperation with the Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company (VNHN), will use the latest Airbus EC130 T2 to fly passengers from Hanoi to nearby attractions.

Particularly adapted to the needs of private users and tourism purposes, the EC130 T2 is considered a key member of Airbus Helicopters thanks to its visibility, quietness and safety, according to the French planemaker.

The air-conditioned chopper is equipped with modern technology, such as active vibration control, distribution and demisting systems. It is capable of carrying a pilot and up to six passengers.

The single-engine helicopter is also light and fuel-saving, enabling KLF to set tickets at reasonable rates, the company said in a press release.

Photo: KLF

Each journey aboard the EC130 T2 costs $2,400 an hour, which the operator said is only half the prices of services using other choppers such as the MI 17, MI 172 or EC 155 B1.

Headquartered in the Vietnamese capital, KLF is a multifaceted company that operates in trade, investment, tourism, construction and retailing.

The helicopter tourism service will thus help the company to “boost the tourism and service activities at resorts and hotels KLF is investing in and managing,” general director Nguyen Thanh Binh said at the launch ceremony.

Photo: KLF

In Vietnam, helicopters are still of limited civil use, even though helicopter tourism is not uncommon in other countries, Nguyen Xuan Son, deputy general director of the VNHN, said.

“However, as demand for traveling by helicopter is rising in Vietnam, many businesses have entered the game,” he said.

Tran Dinh Nam, head of the trade department with the VNHN, said while choppers have previously been used only for charter flights or to serve the offshore oil and gas exploration, tourists can now go on sight-seeing tours with the whirlybirds.

“Such helicopter tour packages will bring new, interesting experiences to holidaymakers when exploring Vietnam,” he said.

Photo: KLF

The EC130 T2 is ready for service at Gia Lam Airport, only 15km from the heart of Hanoi, and it takes only 30 minutes to complete boarding procedures, according to the VNHN.

The chopper is currently available for services to Ha Long, the famed resort city in Quang Ninh Provice, and Sa Pa, the tourist town in Lao Cai Province, 214km and 316km from Hanoi, respectively.

The 90-minute Hanoi-Ha Long route costs $3,600, whereas the Sa Pa service fetches $8,400 for a three and a half hour flight, according to the price quotes KLF showed at the launch ceremony.

“Tourists are willing to pay thousands of U.S. dollars per night at five-star resorts, so earmarking more than $2,000 for such an impressive service is not impossible,” Nam, from the VNHN, said.

Photo: KLF

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