A pilot hot-air balloon sightseeing tour is currently being offered in Da Lat, the capital city of Lam Dong Province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, as part of the ongoing Da Lat Flower Festival 2022.
The pilot program for the hot-air balloon tour, jointly run by the People’s Committee of Da Lat City and Ballooning Media Co., was launched on Wednesday and will last through Sunday.
A plan for the official operation of hot-air balloon tours in Da Lat is expected to be drawn up following an assessment of the efficiency of the pilot phase, according to Vo Thi Ngoc Ha, director of Ballooning Media Co.
Colorful hot-air balloons in the sky over the Pedagogical College of Da Lat in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, December 28, 2022. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre |
During the pilot phase, the tour will depart from the Pedagogical College of Da Lat at 109 Yersin Street in Ward 10 at 6:00 am every day, taking passengers around the famous hilly city at an altitude of 200 meters.
The fare for each ride is VND5 million (US$211) per person.
A view of Da Lat City from a hot-air balloon in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, December 28, 2022. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre |
Visitors can also pay VND200,000 ($8.45) per person to experience a stationary hot-air balloon in the yard of the college at an altitude of 50 meters.
Ballooning Media Co. affirmed that all balloon pilots were trained in the U.S. and are internationally certified to fly hot-air balloons.
Passengers on board a hot-air balloon at the Pedagogical College of Da Lat in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, December 28, 2022. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre |
The crew only takes tourists into the sky when the wind and other conditions meet safety requirements.
The company has operated hot-air balloon services in several other Vietnamese localities before.
A balloon pilot operates a hot-air balloon at the Pedagogical College of Da Lat in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, December 28, 2022. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre |
The Da Lat Flower Festival 2022 began on November 11 but only officially kicked off on December 18.
It boasts 10 main programs and 41 sideline activities.
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