Hue balloon festival: tethered and free flights, and the sunrise experience

Large, multicoloured hot-air balloons drifting over the old skyline of the Hue Imperial City have become one of the most striking sights of the old capital’s summer events. Held regularly as part of the Hue Festival around Ham Nghi square and Ngo Mon Square, the international balloon festival lets visitors see the full complex of monuments, the winding Perfume River and Ngu Binh Mountain from above. For a smooth and safe flight, you need to know the two flight types, the take-off windows and how to arrange an early departure.

Two ways to fly over the old capital

Depending on what you want from the experience and your budget, the festival organisers usually offer two main types of flight, operated by international pilots:

1. Tethered flight

This is the most common option and suits most visitors, especially families with young children:

• The balloon is held firmly to the ground by four heavy-duty tether cables attached to large trucks.
• It rises straight up to a height set by the organisers, hovers for a short time, and then descends slowly to the launch point.
• From this height you can take in the symmetrical layout of the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate and the palaces inside the Imperial City. Tethered flight ticket prices and booking slots are officially announced by the organisers before each festival at the ticket desk on Ham Nghi square.

2. Free flight at sunrise

This is the more immersive option for visitors who want to watch the sunrise from the air:

• The balloon takes off freely from Ham Nghi square at a time published by the organisers, usually early in the morning, when the air is still cool and the wind is usually at its most stable.
• It drifts with the natural wind at a height set by the organisers, passing over the Perfume River in the morning light and the countryside on the outskirts of the city, then lands on a safe open field away from the launch point.
• A flight lasts for a time set by the organisers and carries only a few passengers with a chief pilot. Free flights are a specialised service of the licensed flight operator, cost considerably more than tethered flights and must be booked several weeks ahead at the organiser’s published rates.

Flight windows and weather safety

Ballooning follows strict aviation safety standards and depends entirely on actual weather conditions:

• Ideal flight windows: Each day usually has a few windows that suit balloon take-off best, as set by the organisers. Pilots check the surface wind and weather before each take-off.
• The pilot’s decision: If gusts, thunderstorms or thick fog that blocks visibility appear, the chief pilot has full authority to postpone or cancel the flight to keep passengers safe. The organisers can help transfer you to the next flight window or refund your ticket under the published rules.
• Balloon night glow: In the evening the organisers often stage a night glow show. The balloons stand on the ground and are lit by burners in time with the music, giving visitors a festive night setting for photos, as announced by the organisers.

Arranging an early private car from Da Nang to the balloon field

To reach Ham Nghi square before 6:00 in the morning for the first sunrise flight, guests staying in Da Nang need to leave their hotel between 4:00 and 4:15 am. At that hour, public transport and trains have no suitable departures.

A private car from Sun Travel is the most convenient option. The driver collects you at the agreed time from your Da Nang hotel, and the car runs steadily through the Hai Van road tunnel while you and your family can rest on the way. At around 5:45 am the car drops you close to the gate of the Ham Nghi flight field, so you are ready to watch the first balloons rise into the sunrise.

After the morning flight, the car can keep you company on a one-day Hue city tour of the royal tombs and local food before returning to Da Nang, or you can book a private car from Da Nang to Hue on a more flexible schedule.