(VNF) - Hot-air balloon rides have been launched in Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan province, for tourists to admire the stunning view of the coastal port city from above.

Phan Thiet is the first city in Vietnam to launch this tourist service, which is run by Vietnam Balloons flight operator.

The hot air balloon will gently carry tourists over the buzzing streets of rising city, and the river, where small fishing boats are resting in the rising sun. (Photo: chrisjscheller)

Tomas Valiukas – co-founder of Vietnam Balloons said that he had travelled across Vietnam over the past two years to find out the best places to operate the tour while inviting experienced and professional pilots to evaluate the feasibility of the tours. Phan Thiet is the first place to be selected for the service.

Valiukas shared that during his travel, he found that Vietnam is a unique destination for flying experience, since one can witness ponds, lakes, forests, sea, rivers, fields, fishing boats, temples, sand dunes and mountains from above during the rides.

Depending on the wind direction, the journey shall start either from the centre of Phan Thiet city, or close to infamous white sand dunes - the driest place in Vietnam. The whole flight will take 3 - 4 hours. The flight itself shall take around one hour.

The tourists shall soon be contrasted by white sand dunes with shining diamond in the middle: a desert lake. (Photo: our_endless_journey)

With flight from the city centre, the hot-air balloon will gently carry visitors over the buzzing streets of rising city, and the river, where small fishing boats are resting in the rising sun. Visitors will have a chance to approach the sea shore, and if the winds are favourable, the balloon will even fly over the sea itself. As visitors head back towards the land, you will witness rural life of locals, and land in serendipious fields about 15 kilometres from the city.

With flight over white sand dunes, visitors will be lifted off in rural area, and you will see farmers working in the fields, and cattle grazing dry grass. The Mars-like colour of the landscape shall soon be contrasted by white sand dunes with shining diamond in the middle: a desert lake.

The one-hour tour is available from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. everyday. It is now priced at VND 7 million (USD 310). For more information log on to www.vietnamballoons.com./.

Compiled by VNF