You don't need to travel to the mountains of the north-west to fly. Our two sites near Hanoi — Doi Bu and Vien Nam peak — are about an hour's drive from the city centre, and the whole trip, flight included, takes around 3–5 hours. You fly tandem with a pilot, so no experience or lessons are needed. This guide puts everything in one place before you book: ticket prices, what is included, what each site looks like, when each one flies, how to get there, and what happens if the weather turns.
Ticket prices 2026
| Package | Launch | Price per person | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 650 m | 1,790,000 VND | First flights, shorter drive up |
| Vien Nam summit | 850 m | 2,090,000 VND | Longer flight, views of the Da River and Ba Vi |
The 850 m package takes off from Vien Nam summit — the highest paragliding launch in Hanoi, with more than 800 m of height difference down to the landing field. Ticket prices do not include transport or the 4x4 up the mountain (150,000 VND per person); see the getting-there section below.
What every ticket includes
- One tandem paragliding flight of 8–20 minutes (depending on the wind)
- GoPro photos and video
- Paragliding insurance
- Drinking water
- A flight certificate
Not included: meals, transport from Hanoi and the 4x4 up the mountain. You add these when you book.
Doi Bu: the oldest flying site in northern Vietnam
Doi Bu — known to pilots as "hill 833" — has been flown for about 15 years, making it the oldest flying site in northern Vietnam. It lies in Nui Be village, Xuan Mai commune, Hanoi (formerly Nam Phuong Tien commune, Chuong My district), about 45 km south-west of central Hanoi, roughly an hour by car. It is the closest of our sites to the capital.
Altitude and terrain
The summit stands at 833 m above sea level; launch is at 650 m, above a slope about 1.5 km long. The terrain is open, with few obstacles, and the funnel-shaped valley keeps the wind fairly steady — which is why many paragliding clubs in the north train here. In a good season, pilots have climbed above 1,500 m at Doi Bu. On clear days you can even see the Keangnam tower in Hanoi's My Dinh district from the top.
Season and wind direction
Doi Bu faces north and flies in a northerly wind. It is our main site from September to December: cool, dry, sunny days with an even, steady wind. Outside those months it still flies on days with a northerly wind, but mid-winter often brings low cloud and haze, and some days are not flyable. From late October the hillsides turn white with reeds — Doi Bu's signature sight. Many groups come up just to take photos in the reed fields, set up camp, barbecue or bring the whole family out for the day.
How you get up to launch
The last stretch to the top is a dirt track — very steep, with tight bends, and plenty of cars have had to call for a tow halfway up. Only high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles with off-road tyres make it, so don't drive yourself to the top. Our 4x4 takes you from the foot of the hill to launch in about 20 minutes — the bumpy off-road ride is part of the fun. The windows are usually open, which helps if you get carsick. If you prefer to walk, you can trek from the landing field to the top in about 2 hours on an unpaved trail.
Camping, trekking and the service area
- Service area and paragliding cafe: right at the landing field at the foot of the hill, open all year round. Food and drinks, coffee, tent rental and 4x4 rides up and down. This is also where guests gather before flying.
- Camping: for the day or overnight on the summit; tents, help setting up and barbecues are available at the foot of the hill, or bring your own gear. Sunsets in the evening, sea-of-clouds hunting at dawn.
- Trekking: about 2 hours from the landing field to the top. Bring water and snacks — there are no services at the summit.
- Staying overnight: within 5–10 km you'll find Wyndham Sky Lake Resort and Villas, Hillstay Villa Homestay, Beverly Hills Luong Son Resort and the Sky Lake golf course.
Vien Nam: the highest launch near Hanoi
The Vien Nam site sits right beside the Lang – Hoa Lac expressway, about 1 km from the toll station. From Hanoi the drive follows Thang Long Avenue, through the Hoa Lac interchange and onto the expressway — about 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. Leave the city in the morning, fly, take your photos and videos, and you can be back by the afternoon.
Altitude
Vien Nam peak rises to 1,050 m above sea level. The mountain has two launch levels: 650 m for the standard package and 850 m from the summit for the premium one — the highest paragliding launch in Hanoi, with more than 800 m of height difference down to the landing field. From 850 m the view is wider and the flight usually lasts longer, which makes it a great choice for photos and video, or for marking a special occasion such as a birthday, proposal, wedding anniversary or graduation.
What you see in the air
Once you're airborne, the whole Da River landscape opens up below you: Ba Vi mountain straight ahead, the Hanoi – Hoa Binh expressway reduced to a thread across the fields, and the Hoa Binh hydropower dam in the haze further away. On clear days you can see for tens of kilometres — ridge after ridge to the horizon, green hills, rooftops and rice fields spread out like a giant painting.
Season and wind direction
Vien Nam faces south — the opposite of Doi Bu — so it is our main site from January to August, when southerly winds dominate.
Getting up and the landing field
At the foot of the mountain your pilot gives a short briefing and handles the paperwork, then a 4x4 takes you up to launch in about 20 minutes. The track is bumpy — it's a natural trail — but the windows stay open, so it's bearable even if you get carsick. The landing field is right next to the main road, so it's easy to reach by car, motorbike or coach — one of the most convenient sites in northern Vietnam for a day trip.
Camping on the summit
Vien Nam summit is also a popular camping spot: groups pitch tents, barbecue and spend time outdoors right on the mountain — perfect if you love nature and spontaneous trips.
Doi Bu vs Vien Nam at a glance
| At a glance | Doi Bu | Vien Nam |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Xuan Mai commune (formerly Chuong My), ~45 km south-west | Beside the Lang – Hoa Lac expressway, ~1 km from the toll station |
| Drive from Hanoi | About 1 hour | About 45–60 minutes |
| Summit altitude | 833 m | 1,050 m |
| Launch | 650 m | 650 m or 850 m (summit) |
| Wind and season | Northerly; main season September–December | Southerly; main season January–August |
| Getting up | 4x4, ~20 minutes, or a ~2-hour trek | 4x4, ~20 minutes |
| Highlights | White reed fields; Keangnam tower visible on clear days | Da River, Ba Vi mountain, Hoa Binh dam |
| Landing field | Foot of the hill, next to the service area and cafe | Right by the main road |
| Camping | Yes — tent rental and barbecue at the foot | Yes — on the summit |
Which site will I fly?
You don't need to choose — the wind decides. The two hills face opposite directions: Doi Bu needs a northerly wind, Vien Nam a southerly one. The evening before your flight, we check the forecast and tell you which site you'll fly, along with the exact pickup time.
Getting there: pickup options
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared van from GO! Thang Long mall (222 Tran Duy Hung) | 250,000 VND per person | Departs 8:00–11:00, exact time sent the day before |
| Hotel pickup, shared | 1,000,000 VND for 1 guest + 100,000 VND each extra | Picks you up at your hotel |
| Private car from your hotel | 1,400,000 VND per car (1–3 guests) + 350,000 VND per extra guest from the 4th | Your own schedule |
| 4x4 up the mountain | 150,000 VND per person | From the landing field to launch; recommended — the mountain road is rough |
Going on your own? You can drive a car or ride a motorbike to the foot of the mountain and meet your pilot there. At Doi Bu, don't drive up to the top — it's far too steep — and no public bus serves the site. At Vien Nam, the landing field is right by the main road, so you can also get there by coach. Either way, the site is only confirmed the evening before, so wait for our message before you set off.
Optional extras
- Sunset flight: +700,000 VND per person, flying 16:30–17:30. If there is no sunset as forecast, this part is refunded. Late-afternoon light is soft, so photos can be a little dark, but the sky colours make up for it.
- Drone video: 400,000 VND — films the whole flight from above, showing your wing among the hills.
- 360° camera: 400,000 VND — captures everything around you at once: you, your pilot, the wing and the mountains in every direction. Drone and 360° camera together cost just 700,000 VND.
- Birthday or national flag towed behind the wing: 150,000 VND — tell us when you book.
How a flight day runs
- The evening before: we tell you the site (Doi Bu or Vien Nam) and the exact pickup time.
- Pickup and drive: the van picks you up at GO! Thang Long or your hotel and drives about 45–60 minutes to the meeting point at the foot of the mountain.
- Briefing: your pilot explains how the flight works, goes over the safety points and handles the paperwork.
- Up the mountain: the 4x4 takes you to launch in about 20 minutes while the pilots check and prepare the gear.
- Takeoff and flight: you just run a few steps on your pilot's signal, then sit back for 8–20 minutes depending on the wind. You never have to steer the wing.
- Landing and return: you land at the field below, collect your certificate and ride back to Hanoi. The whole trip usually takes about half a day; sometimes the weather means waiting a little longer for safe conditions.
Who can fly and what to bring
- No experience needed; men, women, couples and international travellers all fly. Don't fly if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure or a clinical fear of heights.
- Wear long trousers and comfortable clothes, with trainers that grip well for the takeoff run. Avoid skirts and flip-flops.
- Bring a light jacket — it's colder at launch than at the foot of the hill — and wear sunscreen.
- Eat a light meal before flying, neither hungry nor too full; if you get motion sick, take a tablet beforehand. Bring snacks and water for the day.
Cancellation, changes and weather
Paragliding depends on the wind, so some days are perfect and some have to be postponed. That's why cancelling, changing the date or moving to another day because of weather is free, with no penalty in any case — just let us know a few hours before departure so we can rearrange pilots and transport. Book ahead to hold your spot; if the day doesn't work out, we move you to another. Upgrading from the 650 m to the 850 m package means paying the difference on the day.
