Vietnamese paragliders take to the skies to relieve stress, test limits

Nguyen Thien Binh, 38, from Dak Lak Province, began paragliding in early 2022 despite difficulty walking in one leg due to childhood polio.

Speaking about his progression in the sport, Binh said he started "from a blank page" and gradually learned to control both powered and non-powered paragliders, also known as mountain paragliders.

He recalled his first flight at Hon Hong in Phan Thiet, describing the mix of nervousness and excitement as he lifted off over the sea after more than a dozen failed attempts to gain enough momentum. 

Because one leg is weak and the glider is heavy, he relied on determination and help from a friend to take off successfully.

Since then, Binh has flown at sites including Chua Chan mountain in Dong Nai Province, Tri Ton in An Giang Province, and Da Teh in Lam Dong Province, as well as in Australia. 

"I adjust to my physical limitations by waiting for stronger winds to compensate for slower take-off speed and modifying braking controls on my powered glider to suit my condition," he said.

According to Binh, paragliding requires intense concentration, as weather conditions can change quickly and pilots may encounter turbulence that causes the canopy to spin or makes landing difficult. 

He completed an additional safety course to learn how to respond to dangerous situations.

"The sport has improved my mental focus and helped me manage stress," Binh said, adding that he flies most weekends at Chua Chan mountain to maintain his skills.

Building confidence in the air

Doan Quoc Hung, 43, a resident of Thu Duc Ward in Ho Chi Minh City, began training in 2023 and practiced for six months after completing a basic course. 

He also took advanced safety training and prefers non-powered paragliding.

"The sport gives me the sensation of flying like a bird and offers a sense of independence because pilots must assess conditions and make their own decisions in the air," Hung said. 

He added that paragliding has improved his physical fitness, as reaching launch sites often involves hiking and climbing hills.

"I was previously afraid of heights but overcame that fear through repeated flights," he said, adding that he now flies weekly, sometimes traveling to northern localities such as Hanoi and Thai Nguyen Province.

Pham Kim Lan, 34, from An Giang Province, began paragliding after accompanying her husband on a camping trip with a paragliding group. 

She said she agreed to learn after watching the gliders overhead and now shares the experience with her husband.

Lan's first attempts at take-off were unsuccessful and she nearly quit after four failed tries, but succeeded on the fifth with encouragement from her instructor. 

"The moment I took flight was transformative," she said. 

"It changed the way I see myself and made me realize I am much stronger than I ever thought."

A mother of four, Lan paused training during her fourth pregnancy and returned to flying when her youngest child turned one year old. 

She said balancing family responsibilities, training time, and costs required careful planning.

Lam Quang Quy, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Paragliding Federation, said paragliding was introduced to Vietnam in the late 1990s and that the country now has more than 300 pilots.

He said paragliding is classified as an extreme air sport and is subject to state regulations on management, training, restricted airspace, and safety compliance.

Pilots must ensure stable weather conditions, with wind speeds not exceeding 6–7 meters per second, complete certified training in take-off, control and landing, and use equipment that remains within safety limits.

He said participants must have a genuine interest in the sport and should not have cardiovascular disease or balance disorders. 

With those conditions met, people of various ages, including those with physical disabilities and even wheelchair users, can take part.