Doi Bu Paragliding Site: Location, Altitude and Best Season
July 26, 2026 • 42 views
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Doi Bu, northern Vietnam's oldest flying site, 45 km from Hanoi: an 833 m peak, a 650 m launch, flights from 1,790,000 VND, best in reed season.
Doi Bu — known to many pilots as Hill 833 — is the oldest flying site in northern Vietnam, in operation for around fifteen years, and one of two closest site to Hanoi that Mebayluon runs. This page gathers the practical details: location, altitude, terrain, the best season, how to get there and what it costs.
📍 Where is Doi Bu?
Doi Bu lies in Nui Be hamlet, Xuan Mai commune, Hanoi. Following the recent administrative reorganisation, this address replaces the older Nam Phuong Tien commune, Chuong My district.
It is about 45 km from central Hanoi, roughly an hour by car — the closest of all the sites Mebayluon operates, and easily done as a day trip.
📏 Altitude and terrain
The mountian rises 833 m above sea level, which is why pilots know it as "Hill 833". The launch point sits at 650 m, above a gentle slope running about 1.5 km.
The open terrain and steady wind are why Doi Bu is used as a training site by paragliding clubs across northern Vietnam, not just for tandem guests. In good wind seasons, pilots here have reached altitudes above 1,500 m.
The Doi Bu launch point at 650 m, above the gentle slope.
Doi Bu is at its best — and safest — during the northeast wind season, from late autumn into early winter, usually October to December. When the monsoon arrives the air turns cool, dry and clear, and the wind blows steadily and evenly. These are ideal flying conditions: flights lasting tens of minutes are routine.
In this wind, Doi Bu is considered one of the safest flying sites in northern Vietnam, because the airflow stays steady rather than shifting unpredictably.
From late October the white reed season begins — the image most associated with Doi Bu. The slopes turn white and the scenery becomes genuinely photogenic. Many groups climb to the summit just for photos among the reeds, to camp and barbecue, or to bring the whole family out for a day outdoors.
White reed grass on the Doi Bu summit, in bloom from October.
🚗 Getting there from Hanoi
There are two routes from Hanoi to Doi Bu, and both meet at the Xuan Mai crossroads.
Route 1 – via Ha Dong: follow Highway 6 to the Xuan Mai crossroads.
Route 2 – via Thang Long Boulevard: turn off into Quoc Oai, then take provincial road 421B straight to the Xuan Mai crossroads.
From Xuan Mai, turn left onto the Ho Chi Minh road for about 5 km to the Cho Ca crossroads. Turn right there and continue 2 km to the foot of Doi Bu. The final climb to the summit is a dirt track.
Do not attempt to drive yourself to the top. The gradient is severe, and plenty of vehicles have had to call for recovery partway up. Only high-clearance 4x4s on off-road tyres can make it.
Mebayluon runs a round-trip shuttle from Hanoi and a dedicated off-road transfer from the base of the hill to the launch point, so you don't need your own vehicle.
The off-road vehicle that takes guests from the base up to the Doi Bu launch point.
🎒 Who can fly and what to bring
Guests fly tandem with a pilot, so no experience is needed. You should not fly, however, if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure or a clinical fear of heights.
Wear long trousers and trainers or ankle boots, and bring a light jacket — it is noticeably colder at launch than at the foot of the hill. If you get motion sick easily, take something for it before the flight.
💰 How much does it cost?
Paragliding at Doi Bu starts from 1,790,000 VND per flight, varying with the add-ons you choose.
Optional extras include:
- Shuttle transfer from central Hanoi
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- 360-degree video
- Drone footage
The base package covers the tandem flight with a professional pilot. If you want a full set of photos and video from the flight, add the 360 and drone filming when you book.
The dirt track up Doi Bu — steep, passable only by high-clearance 4x4 vehicles.
If you would rather not take a vehicle, you can trek from the base to the summit. The trail starts at the paragliding landing field — a wild dirt path, about two hours on foot to the top.
Bring water and snacks: there are no services at all up there, just open country and the view.
One detail worth knowing: on clear days you can pick out the Keangnam tower in My Dinh, Hanoi, from the summit of Doi Bu.
Trekking at Bu Hill
Camping at Bu Hill with Aunty Hung
☕ Services and the paragliding cafe at the base
At the landing field below the hill there is a paragliding service area with the Doi Bu cafe, open all year round.
It offers food and coffee, camping tents for hire, and the off-road transfer up and down the mountain for anyone who would rather not walk. It is also where guests gather before flights and wait for the shuttle.
The paragliding service area and cafe at the foot of Doi Bu, beside the landing field.
⏱️ How long does the trip take?
A paragliding trip from Hanoi to Doi Bu, including the flight and the drive back, usually takes about three and a half hours. That is why many guests fit Doi Bu into a free morning or afternoon rather than taking a whole day off.
Add other activities — trekking to the summit, camping, or a meal at the base — and the trip stretches to five or six hours, or a full day depending on what you plan.
🛏️ Where to stay around Doi Bu
If you would rather stay overnight than drive back to Hanoi the same day, there are several options within 5–10 km of Doi Bu, from homestays to resorts:
- Wyndham Sky Lake Resort and Villas
- Hillstay Villa Homestay
- Beverly Hills Luong Son Resort
The Sky Lake Resort & Golf Club is also nearby, which suits groups combining a flight with a weekend break.
Tents can also be hired at the foot of the hill if you would rather camp than book a room.
⚠️ Fly with a reputable operator
Paragliding demands real expertise and strict safety procedures. A number of itinerant solo pilots operate at Doi Bu whose safety standards cannot be verified.
Before booking, check the operator: what certification and flight hours the pilots hold, how the equipment is inspected, and whether insurance is included. This is not the place to economise.
