Flying over the heritage site of Ha Long Bay.

Viewing the bay from Bai Tho Mountain, Bai Chay Beach, or from a hotel room or cruise ship is probably a familiar experience for most tourists visiting Ha Long. However, a seaplane tour to admire the scenery from above will offer a completely new experience.

Ha Long Bay looks like a painting when viewed from above.

Ha Long Bay is a small bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, in the northeastern part of Vietnam, encompassing the sea and islands belonging to Ha Long City, Cam Pha City, and part of Van Don district in Quang Ninh province. Viewed from above, Ha Long Bay resembles a giant painting emerging from a postcard that tourists often see in souvenir shops in Hanoi or Quang Ninh. A very different Ha Long: The seaplane tour will begin from Tuan Chau ferry terminal, where passengers will listen to the pilot introduce the mode of transport, which is still unfamiliar to most tourists visiting Ha Long. A few minutes after passengers undergo security checks and listen to flight safety regulations, the Cessna Grand Caravan 208B-EX seaplane will begin its journey over the heritage site. Unlike the usual commercial flight experience, tourists will be impressed by the novel feeling when the plane takes off. The aircraft will slowly roll away from the ferry terminal into the sea, but will bob like a boat thanks to two small buoyancy aids attached to its fuselage. When the engines rev up, the propellers spin rapidly, and the entire aircraft will cut through the water, soaring up from the sea.

A typical view of Ha Long city.

“Looking down from above, I see a vast expanse of turquoise sea, dotted with thousands of limestone islands. If I were to view these islands from a cruise ship, I would be overwhelmed by the traces of time and geological formations etched on each rock. But when I take in the entire bay from an altitude of about 300 meters, I truly appreciate the grandeur of this world- renowned wonder,” said Ha Chi, a tourist from Hanoi. Taking off from the sea, the plane flies over Tuan Chau Island, Reu Island, Hang Dinh Island, Ba Hai Island, But Moc Island, Tai Voi Island, Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, Dinh Huong Island, Thien Cung Cave... all the way to the border with Lan Ha Bay in Hai Phong. Tourists will see bustling ships entering and leaving the harbor, fishing boats casting their nets, or fishing villages, shrimp farms, and fish farms... It's a very different, vibrant picture. Sarah Moñino Pizarro and Lidia Moñino Pizarro, Spanish sisters, were among the international passengers on the flight who constantly raved about the experience of viewing Ha Long Bay from above. Behind them, a French tourist continuously recounted his journey to friends and family via video call. He even filmed beautiful views of Ha Long Bay as souvenirs. An adventure in the heritage region: In contrast to the peaceful journey on a cruise ship, a seaplane flight offers a truly thrilling experience when viewing Ha Long Bay. This includes moments when the pilot tilts the control stick, or when the seaplane flies past towering limestone islands that seem almost touching the summit. The small aircraft can maneuver through rocky islands, flying close to the water's surface to create the most unexpected experiences. Passengers sometimes even feel a pang of fear when the plane suddenly enters turbulent air – something that happens even with larger aircraft. However, you can rest assured because the Cessna Grand Caravan 208B-EX is considered one of the safest aircraft capable of landing on water. This seaplane can carry up to 12 passengers and meets the stringent standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the US Federal Aviation Administration, and the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority. The aircraft is also equipped with modern avionics such as weather radar, storm tracking system, and GPS. After maneuvering around the limestone islands, the plane leaves the bay and returns to Ha Long City. Visitors will see Bai Tho Mountain, the Ferris wheel, Bai Chay Bridge... appearing like a miniature Lego city. The seaplane returns to the sea surface, flying slowly near the boats to land.

The changing window view is like a TV showing a movie throughout the flight.

From the large windows, passengers will see the surprised faces of those on the cruise ships as a plane suddenly lands overhead. Many of them will likely be curious about the aerial view of Ha Long Bay and ask the tour guide where they can book tickets. Those who have just finished their 25-minute flight might wish the flight had lasted a little longer, to savor the view of this unique heritage site of Vietnam for even longer.

Unlike commercial flights, passengers flying on seaplanes don't need to turn off their phones for safety; they can freely use their phones to communicate, access the internet, film, and take photos. This is because seaplanes operate with different signal types than commercial aircraft. And flying at a low altitude allows passengers to use their phones as they wish. Do Hoang Chuong, the captain of the flight carrying the international group, said that Ha Long Bay has its own unique beauty in each season. In winter, the bay is often foggy in the early morning, so tourists should choose to travel around midday for easier viewing when the sky is clear. Passengers wishing to fly seaplanes in Ha Long Bay should avoid June and July, when major storms are likely to occur. The most suitable weather for viewing Ha Long Bay from above is April, May, or September, October, when the days are longer, the sky is clear, and there is plenty of sunshine. In cases where weather conditions such as dense fog obstruct the pilot's visibility, flights will also be cancelled to ensure passenger safety. Bad weather may cause flights to be delayed or require emergency landings at a safe location during the journey.

Laodong.vn

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