The appeal of adventure tourism in Mù Cang Chải has been affirmed, with over 40-50 per cent of visitors coming specifically for paragliding each year. VNA Photo

YÊN BÁI – A paragliding festival will be held in the northern mountainous province of Yên Bái’s Mù Cang Chải District from September 1-3, featuring pilots from across the country.

The festival aims to promote tourism and spotlight the local stunning terraced rice fields to both domestic and international visitors.

During the event, paragliders using engines will perform synchronised aerial maneuvers, creating artistic smoke displays, while hundreds of others will take off from Khau Phạ pass and soar over Lìm Mông valley, waving the national flag in celebration of National Day (September 2).

Lương Thị Xuyến, Vice Chairwoman of the Mù Cang Chải People's Committee, noted that paragliding at Khau Phạ pass has become a signature tourism product linked to the terraced fields of the district, making it a popular local event. The appeal of adventure tourism in Mù Cang Chải has been affirmed, with over 40-50 per cent of visitors coming specifically for paragliding each year.

Local terraced rice fields were designated a special national heritage site by the Prime Minister in 2019. To honour this landmark and promote the cultural values of the Mông ethnic minority, Yên Bái has organised various cultural, sports, and tourism activities since 2015, with paragliding being a prominent feature.

So far this year, the province has welcome over 1.6 million visitors, meeting 94.24 per cent of the annual target and up 24.7 per cent year-on-year. The number of foreigners was nearly four times higher compared to the same period in 2023. The eight-month tourism revenue was projected to near VNĐ1.32 trillion (US$53.13 million USD), a 27 per cent annual increase.

For 2024, Yên Bái aims to attract 1.7 million tourists, including 300,000 foreign ones, with a revenue target of VNĐ1.50 trillion. - VNA/VNS