After a period of suspension, helicopter sightseeing tours over Ho Chi Minh City resumed on March 11, with four departures from Vung Tau Airport with 48 passengers.
The tours were first launched by the city Department of Tourism in April 2022 mostly to test the market.
Following an assessment, the program was paused to refine the product before relaunch.
Passengers undergo security screening and a weight check to ensure load limits are not exceeded. This process takes 15 minutes. Each traveler receives a boarding pass with flight details, departure time and seat assignment.
Before boarding, guests complete a health declaration and receive safety briefings in Vietnamese and English. All flights are covered under international aviation insurance standards.
Guests are transported to the helipad by car. The fleet includes an EC-155B1, Super Puma L2, Leonardo Helicopter AW189, and Airbus Helicopter EC-225, and operates from a helipad at Vung Tau Airport.
Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, deputy director of the city Department of Tourism, said the post-merger integration between Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province played a key role in creating the right conditions for the program's revival.
Travelers can choose from four itineraries ranging from 15 to 60 minutes, priced from VN2.9 million ($110) to VND17.6 million ($669).
- Vung Tau Skyview (15 min): a visit over Vung Tau's coastline and landmarks
- Green Horizon (30 min): linking Vung Tau with the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve
- Green Coastline (40 min): following the shoreline from Long Hai to Ho Tram beach
- Skyline Discovery (60 min): a journey from Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City, passing over Can Gio along the way
On opening day, all flights treated passengers to a 15-minute sweep over Vung Tau.
Each flight offers two seating tiers: a VIP package with eight seats and a standard experience package with 12 seats. Window seats command the highest prices.
An onboard audio commentary introduces landmarks as the aircraft passes over them.
Tran Thanh Vu, CEO of Vinagroup, said the tours are intended to sit alongside existing offerings like yacht cruises and beachside resorts, and become an addition to Ho Chi Minh City's tourism scene, catering to both local and foreign visitors.
Among the landmarks visible from above are the Christ of Vung Tau statue and Nghinh Phong Cape.
Other sites include a lighthouse dating to 1862, Tam Thang Tower with its 143 pillars shaped like three boat prows, and the Lady of Bai Dau Sanctuary.
The floating fish farms of Long Son Commune, with Can Gio stretching into the distance. The helicopter maintains a moderate speed, giving passengers enough time to enjoy the views.
The helicopter returned to Vung Tau Airport after 15 minutes in the air. Vo Thuy Nhien of Saigon Ward said the flight had convinced her to make it a family outing this summer.
"It was a smooth ride, seeing the landmarks from above for the first time was special."
