Ho Chi Minh City to launch helicopter tours next week

The first flights will depart from a helipad at Vung Tau Airport, located at 38 on 30/4 Street in Tam Thang Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

Visitors can choose from four sightseeing routes lasting between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on their preferences.

The shortest option, the Vung Tau Skyview tour lasting 15 minutes, offers panoramic views of the coastal destination of Vung Tau.

The Green Horizon tour, lasting 30 minutes, connects Vung Tau with the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve.

Another route, Green Coastline, lasts 40 minutes and follows the scenic coastline between Long Hai and Ho Tram.

The longest option, Skyline Discovery, provides a 60-minute journey from Vung Tau’s coastline to central Ho Chi Minh City while showcasing the green landscapes of Can Gio.

The lowest ticket price is about VND2.9 million (US$111) per passenger for the 15-minute flight.

Speaking at a signing ceremony between travel companies in the city on Friday, Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said the idea of helicopter tourism had been studied since 2022 but faced delays due to coordination and jurisdictional challenges.

Recently, tourism authorities and businesses worked together to resolve these obstacles and brought the product into stable operation.

Future plans include developing additional helipads across the city, linking helicopter services with river tours and other attractions.

Nguyen Minh Man, deputy general director of VinaGroup, noted strong demand for helicopter tourism, especially given Ho Chi Minh City’s large visitor base and the popularity of nearby beach destinations.

The service is operated by Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company, which ensures compliance with aviation safety standards.

Flights are fully insured, and passengers must complete health declarations and receive safety briefings in both Vietnamese and English.

Officials expected helicopter tours to become a new highlight in the city’s tourism portfolio, complementing luxury experiences such as Saigon River cruises and coastal resort stays.