Feast your eyes on 80 paragliders and 100 kites flying over Phoenix Mountain

On the morning of April 30, at Ta Pa - Soai Chek Sports and Tourism Area (this is where Co To Mountain is located, also known as Phung Hoang Son), Nui To Commune, Tri Ton District, An Giang Province, the 2023 paragliding and kite flying performance program was officially opened.

Paragliding demonstration flight

Mr. Tran Minh Giang, Vice Chairman of Tri Ton District People's Committee, said that this event aims to serve the entertainment needs of local people and tourists visiting on the occasion of April 30 and May 1, at Ta Pa - Soai Chek Sports and Tourism Area, Nui To Commune and Thai Quoc Hung Square.

“We have coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Sports Paragliding Federation to officially open the 2023 paragliding and kite flying performance program.

When coming to the series of activities to celebrate the festival, visitors can admire 80 motorized paragliders, 30 model airplanes, and 50 pilots participating in the performance.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience flying and see the whole view of Ta Pa - Soai Chek Sports and Tourism Area from above.

In addition, the program also has a night flight performance with low-altitude fireworks display in the sky," Mr. Giang emphasized.

The kites look quite eye catching.

Mr. Giang added that in the artistic kite flying activity at the square, there were about 30 large kites measuring from 7 to 10 meters and 70 small kites with eye-catching shapes.

In addition, there are also mascots of many different colors and species, with sizes from 3m and up, performed by artisan Pham Van Tam and other artisans.

“The most special thing is the activity “Flying up the dream kite” which carries 100 wishes of excellent students in the district written on the tail of the kite. Then, the artisans release it into the sky.

Artists preparing to perform

Kites not only express the desire for a good life but also bring opportunities for exchange between artisans and fans of this elegant sport associated with childhood.

I hope that in the future, this event will be held more regularly, on a larger scale, attracting more people to watch.

Thereby, promoting and introducing to domestic and foreign tourists the unique cultural features of Tri Ton district in particular and An Giang province in general," Mr. Giang hopes.

According to the reporter's records, at exactly 9 o'clock, after the ceremony, 80 paragliders, 30 large kites, 70 small kites and 50 model airplanes performed.

Tourists excitedly take photos

With extensive experience and high level of expertise, the pilots and artists brought to the audience extremely satisfying and attractive performances with many impressive flying techniques.

Ms. Kim Phuong (32 years old, residing in My Phuoc ward, Long Xuyen city) said that through the media, her family learned about Tri Ton district organizing paragliding and kite flying performances.

“I woke up with everyone at 5am and set off to Tri Ton to enjoy. The activities were very exciting, the sound of applause every time the kites landed safely made me very excited.

I hope this activity happens every year so that everyone can come and watch after many tiring days of work," Ms. Phuong said.

Kites at the event

Mr. Lam Quang Quy, Vice President and General Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Paragliding Sports Federation, said that for the paragliding activity, the Organizing Committee has several kites made in England with Austrian 912 engines, strong horsepower, flying speed over 100km/h, unlimited altitude.

“To fly powerful kites, pilots must undergo thorough training to be able to handle all uncertainties in the air.

“A kite with a 912 engine when it leaves the factory costs about 80,000 USD,” Mr. Quy said.

According to Mr. Quy, when all pilots take off or land, they must ensure the runway is free of any obstacles.

When the pilot needs to land, he must contact the control tower to arrange a safe landing runway.

Tourists enjoy the pilots' performance.

The scenery is quite poetic.

In An Giang province in the first 3 months of the year, tourism activities have improved a lot.

It is estimated that the whole province has welcomed a total of 4 million visitors, an increase of 60% over the same period. The number of international visitors reached 6,000, an increase of 20 times over the same period.

Total revenue from tourism activities in the first quarter is estimated at VND2,500 billion, up 79%.