Hot-air balloons color sky over Ho Chi Minh City tourism fest

Residents of Ho Chi Minh City enjoyed the spectacle of more than a dozen colorful hot-air balloons during a special festival designed to promote local tourism on the weekend .

The two-day fest for hot air balloons, yachting, and water sports kicked off at Thu Thiem Tunnel Park, located on the rooftop of Thu Thiem Tunnel in Thu Duc City, on Saturday.

The event took place on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of Thu Duc City, which was officially established on January 1, 2021.

Colorful hot-air balloons at the festival in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, January 22, 2022. Photo: Hai An / Tuoi Tre

The festival was aimed at diversifying tourism products of Ho Chi Minh City and reaffirming that the metropolis is a safe, attractive, vibrant, and exciting destination on the tourist map of Vietnam and the world, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.

A total of 16 hot-air balloons were scheduled to be flown along the Saigon River bank from 6:00 to 9:00 am and from 3:30 to 5:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Hot-air balloons are flown at the festival in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, January 22, 2022. Photo: Hai An / Tuoi Tre

However, they had to stay grounded on Saturday afternoon due to strong winds.

Aside from the balloons, visitors to the festival also relished the parade of yachts along the Saigon River as well as paragliding and water sports.

The parade of yachts takes place at the festival along the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, January 22, 2022. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

A paragliding performance takes place at the festival in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, January 22, 2022. Photo: Hai An / Tuoi Tre

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