TUYÊN QUANG — An international hot air balloon festival is to be organised next month in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang.

The event aims to introduce to foreign and domestic tourists the beauty of the region, at the same time create momentum for tourism recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

To prepare for the festival, Ballooning Media – a company that has organised several similar events in Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan (China), and the Netherlands – has held test flights of hot air balloons at Nguyễn Tất Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang City, and the stadium in Na Tong Village in Lam Bình District.

Based on the test flights, the final decision on the date and venue for the festival will be made by the provincial People’s Committee and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

It’s expected to have about 15 hot air balloons at the festival.

According to deputy head of the Tuyen Quang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyễn Văn Hòa, the festival is an opportunity for tourists, including Vietnamese and foreigners, to learn more about the province.

“The province has said tourism development should be one of the breakthrough goals in the 2020-25 period,” he said.

Alongside promoting tourism products covering culture, community, eco and leisure, and adventure, Tuyen Quang also pays attention to creating new and interesting experiences. They include rowing bamboo rafts and enjoying then singing on Na Nưa Lake in the area of the Tan Trao National Special Historical Relic, and kayaking on the Tuyen Quang Reservoir.

The province set a goal to welcome more than three million tourists by 2025, and create jobs for over 25,000 people. By 2030, the number will be over 5.5 million tourists, and create jobs for over 35,000 labourers. — VNS