🏔️ The highest flying site near Hanoi
This page is about Vien Nam Peak alone, the highest flying site near the capital: altitude, the two flight options, the road up and camping. Ticket prices, pickups and a comparison with Doi Bu are on our Hanoi paragliding page. Vien Nam Peak in Hanoi rises 1,050 m above sea level. Unlike many weekend paragliding spots with relatively low altitude differences, Vien Nam boasts ideal terrain for high-altitude flights. Currently, Mebayluon offers two experience packages: 650m Flight Suitable for first-time paragliders. Shorter travel time to launch. Enough time to experience the feeling of takeoff, hovering in mid-air, and admiring the panoramic view of the mountains and forests below. 850m Flight The most premium experience at Vien Nam. Significantly higher altitude than most paragliding spots near Hanoi. Wider views, longer flight time, and a more impressive experience. Especially suitable for those who want to take photos, videos, or mark a memorable milestone in their lives. The 850 m package costs 2,090,000 VND, 300,000 VND more than the 650 m one (1,790,000 VND). With this altitude, Vien Nam is considered by many paragliders to be a place that provides a "true flying" feeling right on Hanoi's doorstep.
🚗 Location and distance from Hanoi
One of the reasons why Vien Nam is increasingly popular is its convenient location. From the center of Hanoi, visitors only need more than an hour to travel to Mebayluon's gathering area. This makes the paragliding experience a completely feasible activity for a weekend without needing to take time off or overly complicated planning. Depart from Hanoi in the morning, experience flying, take photos, record videos, and return to the city in the afternoon.
🛣️ From the city to Vien Nam mountain
👉 “The trip started early in the morning when Hanoi was still covered in a light mist. I chose to drive myself to fully enjoy the beauty of this route: ◾ Actual route: Departing from the inner city, I drove straight along Thang Long Boulevard. The road is incredibly open and spacious, with lush green trees lining both sides. After passing the Hoa Lac interchange, the journey continues onto the Lang Hoa Lac Expressway. ◾ Changing scenery: This was my favorite part. The farther you get from the city, the more the tall buildings fade away, replaced by the rolling limestone mountains typical of Vien Nam Mountain. Lowering the car window and feeling the cool mountain breeze rushing in was truly an exhilarating experience. ✨ Detailed route: Hanoi → Thang Long Boulevard → Hoa Lac Interchange → Lang Hoa Lac Expressway → Toll Station → Paragliding site (located about 1 km from the toll station).”
🚐 Round-trip shuttle service
If you would rather not drive, take the shared van from our meeting point at GO! Thang Long – 222 Tran Duy Hung (departing 8:00–11:00, exact time sent the day before) or book a hotel pickup. Prices for each option are in Hanoi paragliding prices. The drive from Hanoi to the foot of Vien Nam takes about 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Alternatively, you can travel by bus if you don’t want to drive yourself: LIMOUSINE BINH AN - 📞 0868 520 622 🔺 Departure: 7:00 – 19:15 (one trip every 2 hours) 🔺 Route: Royal City Urban Area → Lang Hoa Lac Expressway → Toll Station → Paragliding site 🔺 Price: 120,000 VND --- BINH AN BUS - 📞 0868 520 622 🔺 Route: My Dinh → Thang Long Boulevard → Lang Hoa Lac Expressway → Toll Station → Paragliding site 🔺 Price: 70,000 VND Disadvantage: These buses are often crowded, so tickets tend to sell out early on weekends or peak days. It is recommended to book in advance to avoid missing out. After arriving at the foot of the mountain, the pilot will provide a brief introduction, complete the necessary procedures, and guide you through the required steps before taking you to the summit by a specialized vehicle.
🛬 A landing field right beside the highway
Not only does it have an altitude of up to 850m, Vien Nam also has a location advantage as the landing field is located right next to the national highway. Visitors from Hanoi can easily reach it by car, motorbike or bus, making this one of the most convenient paragliding spots in the North for day trips.
🚙 Up the mountain by off-road vehicle
During this time, our team will prepare the vehicles and arrange seating, while pilots carefully inspect and set up all flight equipment. The mountain ascent takes approximately 20 minutes in specialized off-road vehicles. The road up the mountain is quite rough as it is a natural, less-developed path — but for those who are prone to motion sickness, there’s no need to worry too much, as the vehicle usually travels with the windows open, allowing you to breathe in fresh and pleasant air throughout the journey.
👁️ A view you cannot get from the ground
If you have ever thought paragliding is just a simple check-in activity, Vien Nam will bring a completely different perspective. From a height of 650m or 850m, the feeling of seeing the world shrink under your feet is an experience that is difficult to describe in pictures or videos. It is a combination of the feeling of freedom, peace and excitement when flying in the sky. With the advantage of being the highest flying site near Hanoi today and two different altitude options, Vien Nam is becoming one of the most worth-trying experiences for those who want to touch the sky with Mebayluon Paragliding.
🙋 No experience needed
All experience flights at Vien Nam are tandem flights with professional pilots. Participants do not need experience, do not need to learn in advance, and do not have to control the wing themselves. After brief instructions, you just need to run a few steps during takeoff and then sit back and relax to enjoy the flight. This is a suitable activity for both men and women, young people, couples, international tourists and even those who thought they were afraid of heights.
⬆️ Fly higher, see further
What makes Vien Nam different is not just the altitude. When you take off, the entire mountain landscape spreads out below your feet. The mountain ranges continue to the horizon, creating the feeling of flying in the miniature Northwest region. On clear days, visibility can stretch for dozens of kilometers. Green hills, a few small roofs and rice fields appear like a giant picture at the feet of the flyer. This is also the reason why Vien Nam is becoming a favorite destination for those looking for unique check-in photos, POV videos or capturing special moments such as birthdays, proposals, wedding anniversaries or graduations.
🪂 The moment you leave the ground
This is truly the “soul” of the journey. Equipped with safety gear and standing atop the slope, my heart was already racing a little! A gentle takeoff: Contrary to what you might expect — a jolt or free fall — the launch is incredibly smooth. You just run when the pilot signals, and then… whoosh — your feet leave the ground. Suspended in the air, you take in a literally “million-dollar view.” The whole Da River landscape opens up before you: towering mountain peaks, the Hanoi – Hoa Binh highway reduced to a tiny thread across the fields. In the distance, the Hoa Binh hydroelectric dam appears through a misty haze. The feeling of floating: There’s a moment when the pilot guides the paraglider along a thermal to gain altitude, and the world around falls into an unusual calm. Only the wind whistling through the canopy and the sensation of total freedom remain. Occasionally, the pilot will treat you to a few gentle swoops — a thrilling mix of fear and addiction!
📸 Capturing the moment from the air
If you’re an Instagram or TikTok enthusiast, this is the place to capture truly unforgettable shots — and you’ll definitely want to preserve every single moment. Don’t worry if you can’t hold your phone while flying, because there are specialized photo and video packages that capture every angle: 🔰 GoPro Angle (Authentic experience): A GoPro camera mounted on a selfie stick, held either by you or the pilot, records your most hilarious expressions — from trembling at takeoff to the exhilaration of soaring through the sky. I was advised to upgrade to the premium “luxury” packages: 🔰 360 Camera Service (No blind spots, endless creativity): This is the secret weapon for viral videos. A 360-degree camera mounted on a special invisible stick captures not only you but the entire surrounding space at once — the pilot behind, the canopy above, and the majestic mountains in all directions. The best part: you can unleash your creativity in post-production. Transform your video into a third-person perspective (as if someone is flying alongside you) or create the unique “Tiny Planet” effect that no other camera can replicate. 🔰 Drone (Cinematic aerial shots): If you want to see yourself “small but grand” amidst vast nature, choose the drone angle. Footage from a professional aerial device captures your paraglider soaring among towering mountains and swirling clouds. These distant shots create a sense of grandeur, elegance, and cinematic drama, making you feel like the star of a blockbuster nature adventure film. ⚠️ Tip: Invest a little extra in the upgraded packages (360 or drone) for truly exceptional and high-class footage — you’ll be glad you did when you relive your sky-high adventure!
⛺ Camping at Vien Nam mountain
What makes Vien Nam truly special is the camping experience on the summit. When I visited, a few groups were already set up there, and they warmly invited us to join their meal — a simple moment, yet incredibly memorable. I later learned that this spot is perfect for camping, barbecues, and all kinds of outdoor gatherings, making it an ideal getaway for those who love nature and a bit of spontaneity.
💡 Tips for your first flight
To make the most of your trip, be sure not to forget the following: ▪️ Clothing: Always wear sneakers with good grip (for a safe run during takeoff) and comfortable, stretchy clothes. Avoid skirts or flip-flops! ▪️ Sunscreen: Even though it’s cool up in the air, UV rays are extremely strong. Apply sunscreen thoroughly if you don’t want to come home with “two-tone” skin. ▪️ Health: Have a light meal before flying — not on an empty stomach, but don’t overeat either (to avoid feeling sick during the pilot’s maneuvers). ▪️ Booking in advance: Paragliding depends on the weather and number of participants, so contact the operator at least a few days in advance to secure a good slot. ▪️ The entire journey lasts about half a day, including travel, paragliding, the return trip, and some additional activities, so it’s best to bring some food to avoid getting hungry. ▪️ Mindset: Trust the pilot completely. They are highly professional and will take care of everything — your job is simply to enjoy the experience!
🗺️ Other things to see around Vien Nam
There are also several places worth visiting around the flying site, all easy to reach. If you have already flown, don't miss these: 🔴 Hoa Binh Hydropower Dam – Mai Chau: ▪️ The Hoa Binh dam, about 30 minutes from the Vien Nam Peak launch site, is a landmark on the Da River — part historic engineering feat, part scenic landscape. ▪️ You can explore the power station, the spillway and the Ho Chi Minh monument with its panoramic view, take a boat out on the jade-green Hoa Binh reservoir, or visit Ba Chua Thac Bo temple and Thung Nai, an area often called "Ha Long Bay on land". ▪️ Indicative tickets: around 50,000 VND per adult and from 35,000 VND per child; the outdoor grounds cost about 20,000 VND. ▪️ Note: prices can change, so check before you go.
🔴 Ba Vi – Hanoi Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism is located in Dong Mo (Son Tay – Ba Vi, Hanoi), about 15 minutes from the Vien Nam mountain paragliding site. It is considered the “common home” of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, covering more than 1,500 hectares and recreating distinctive architecture, culture, and traditions from north to south. 🔹 Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM daily 🔹 Entrance fee: about 30,000 VND for adults; 5,000–10,000 VND for students; free for children under 6 ⚠️ Due to its large area, visitors can rent electric cars (~40,000 VND/person/day) or use group transport for convenience.
▪️ Ba Vi National Park: pine forests, cactus greenhouse, Thuong Temple, Ho Chi Minh Temple, and the abandoned French church ruins ▪️ Thien Son – Suoi Nga: mountainous landscapes with waterfalls, streams, and artificial lakes ▪️ Khoang Xanh – Suoi Tien & Ao Vua: ecological entertainment areas with streams, bathing spots, and adventure games ▪️ Ban Xoi Valley: a camping and picnic site with traditional stilt houses ▪️ Suoi Hai Lake: a wide lake area ideal for camping, fishing, and boating ▪️ Duong Lam Ancient Village: an ancient Vietnamese village known for its laterite stone architecture ▪️ K9 Da Chong Relic Site: a historical site associated with President Ho Chi Minh 🍽️ Cuisine & specialties of Ba Vi ▪️ Specialties: Ba Vi milk cakes, yogurt, fresh milk, wafer cookies. ▪️ Dishes: hill chicken, wild pork, young beef, mountain goat, grilled Da River fish
🔄 Free cancellation and rescheduling
Mebayluon allows free refunds, cancellations and rescheduling on every service, with no penalty in any case. Mountain weather changes quickly, so book ahead to secure your slot — if the day doesn't work out, simply move to another. Just let us know a few hours before departure so we can reassign pilots and transfers. Upgrading between packages works differently: if you booked the 650 m flight and want to move up to 850 m, you pay the 300,000 VND difference.
