Quick Facts
Data Field (Title) | Content | Icon/Note |
---|---|---|
Vietnamese Name | Lễ hội Khinh Khí Cầu | Meaning: "Hot Air Balloon Festival." |
Typical Locations | Huế (as part of the Hue Festival), Đà Lạt (Lâm Đồng Province), Đồng Nai, Hồ Chí Minh City. | The event location frequently rotates across Vietnam. |
Timing | Spring/Summer (March to May), often coinciding with major national holidays or local festivals. | Check local tourism websites for specific dates each year. |
Significance | Tourism Promotion, showcasing the destination from a unique aerial perspective, and boosting the local festival atmosphere. | |
Event Type | International Sport and Spectacle, featuring pilots from Vietnam and abroad. |
I. Overview: A Sky Full of Color
The Hot Air Balloon Festival has become a major highlight in Vietnam’s annual tourism calendar, transforming the skies above iconic cities into a breathtaking display of color. These events serve as a spectacular blend of modern leisure and cultural promotion, drawing thousands of international and domestic visitors.
The festival often features the participation of international pilots and crews, fostering cultural exchange and showcasing the beauty of Vietnamese landscapes—from the ancient Citadel of Huế to the mountain scenery of Đà Lạt—from a brand new perspective.

II. Key Activities and Experiences
Vietnam’s hot air balloon festivals typically offer two main types of experiences for visitors:
1. Free Flight (Sunrise Flight)
Time: Early morning (typically 5:30 AM – 7:00 AM) at sunrise.
Experience: Passengers take a full flight, soaring to altitudes of 300–500 meters and traveling several kilometers with the wind. This offers a panoramic view of the city, mountains, or coastline.
Duration: Approximately 45–60 minutes, subject to strict weather conditions (no rain, low wind speed).
2. Tethered Flight (Observation Flight)
Time: Late afternoon/sunset (typically 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM).
Experience: Balloons are securely anchored to the ground by ropes, allowing them to rise safely to heights of 30–50 meters.
Duration: A brief 5–10 minute ride, offering a quick, affordable, and family-friendly taste of ballooning.
3. Night of Lights (Illuminated Balloon Show)
Time: Evenings of the main festival days.
Experience: Hot air balloons are inflated and illuminated on the ground using their burners, pulsing lights in sync with music and art performances. This creates a mesmerizing, magical “lantern” spectacle over the main venue.

III. Featured Festival Locations
A. Huế International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Context: Often held in April as a key event within the Huế Festival or the National Tourism Year.
Viewpoint: Provides a stunning aerial view of the Huế Imperial Citadel (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the tranquil Perfume River (Sông Hương), and historical landmarks like Thiên Mụ Pagoda and the surrounding King’s Tombs.
B. Đà Lạt (Lâm Đồng) Hot Air Balloon & Art Festival
Context: A major event in the Central Highlands, often focusing on art and music integration.
Viewpoint: Offers views of the highland city, Lâm Viên Square, Xuân Hương Lake, and the lush pine forests that surround Đà Lạt. The cool, high-altitude climate provides a picturesque backdrop for ballooning.

IV. Practical Information
Guide Field | Details |
---|---|
Ticket Cost | Free flights (full rides) are significantly more expensive than tethered flights. Mini-balloon viewing and general entry to the festival ground are often free. |
Weather Dependency | Flights are highly sensitive to weather. Wind over 15 km/h or rain will cancel free flights. Plan for early morning when conditions are most stable. |
What to Bring | Warm clothing (especially for pre-dawn flights), sunglasses, a hat, and a camera. |
Booking | Tickets for free flights should be booked in advance through the organizing company or designated ticketing partners. Tethered flights are usually available for purchase on-site. |