Vietnam’s Ninh Binh steps up safety controls on paragliding, flyboarding after accidents

The provincial Department of Tourism said on Saturday that it had asked local authorities, tourist-site management boards, tourism businesses, and the provincial tourism association to strengthen safety measures for high-risk activities.

It said that a number of adventure-based tourism experiences, performances, and promotional activities, such as SUP, powered paragliding, hot-air ballooning, and flyboarding, have recently emerged at several tourist sites and attractions.

Some have been involved in incidents affecting performers and tourists, while also posing wider safety risks and potentially damaging Ninh Binh’s tourism image.

Tourism operators have been told not to organize risky activities on an ad hoc basis and may only offer them when all safety requirements under existing regulations are met.

Organizers must also clearly inform participants of potential risks, weather and terrain conditions, health requirements, and relevant safety rules.

The stricter controls follow a flyboarding accident at Nui Lo Lake in Hoa Lu Ward in May.

A flyboard performer and a female tourist fell into the lake during a demonstration. The tourist resurfaced and was helped onto a motorboat, while the performer briefly surfaced before sinking again with the equipment.

Several people on shore jumped into the lake to help after the performer failed to reappear. The performer was rescued about 15 minutes later in an unconscious state after nearly drowning.

The victim was taken to Ninh Binh General Hospital in serious condition and diagnosed with pneumonia caused by near-drowning. The patient was placed on mechanical ventilation and later transferred to Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi for further treatment.

An inspection by the provincial tourism department later found that the flyboarding performance had not been officially licensed at the time of the accident.