Colorful hot-air balloons paint Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan skyline for Reunification Day celebrations

The festival, held at the province’s central square, featured hot-air balloons of various sizes and colors.

Four of the balloons were tethered near the Ninh Thuan Museum for public viewing and photo opportunities.

The highlight of the event was two giant balloons carrying a 500-square-meter Vietnamese national flag across the sky of Phan Rang–Thap Cham, the provincial capital city.

The opening day drew thousands of spectators to April 16 Square, where festival-goers enjoyed the visual spectacle, snapped photos, and joined in the lively atmosphere.

Hoang Nguyen Thuy Diem, a tourist from Bien Hoa City in southern Dong Nai Province, shared her excitement, saying this was her first time experiencing such a grand and colorful hot-air balloon festival up close.

“The weather is mild despite Ninh Thuan’s usual heat, making it perfect for sightseeing and creating special memories with my family,” Diem added.

The hot-air balloon festival will run through Saturday morning.

Aside from this festival, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism hosted an amateur cycling race on Thursday morning, featuring 110 athletes from 13 clubs.

This series of events has created a lively, rich, diverse, and community-oriented festival atmosphere.

The Ninh Thuan Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Cuisine Week, running from April 30 to May 4, is taking place in Phan Rang-Thap Cham and neighboring districts, with the goal of promoting the province’s stunning destinations and local tourism products, said Nguyen Long Bien, vice-chairman of the provincial administration, at the event’s opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.