No need to travel far to Bagan, Myanmar or distant Turkey to witness hot air balloons dotting the surreal sky anymore. In Vietnam, during the upcoming April 30th – May 1st holiday, there will be not one but two grand International Hot Air Balloon Festivals in Hue and Da Nang for you to marvel at this unparalleled beauty firsthand.
1. International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Hue
Duration:
Location:
Experience hot air balloon rides
The International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Hue takes place within the framework of the 8th Traditional Craft Festival Hue 2019. This is an international-scale festival, with 4 countries besides Vietnam participating in hot air balloon performances including Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and the Netherlands. A total of 10 giant hot air balloons will gather, including free-flying balloons, tethered balloons at a height of 50m, and mini balloons at Ky Dai Square. The sky over Hue Imperial City promises to be vibrant, allowing you to capture dreamy, travel-blogger-worthy photos.

Images from the 2018 International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Hue. @Mytour Golocal

Giant hot air balloons showcased at the Hue Festival. @Mytour Golocal

Opportunity to marvel at hot air balloons right here in Vietnam. @Mytour Golocal
19:30 – 20:00 on April 27th, 2019

The sky above Ngu Phung Pavilion adorned with colorful hot air balloons. @Mytour Golocal


In addition to the International Balloon Festival, the 2019 Hue Traditional Craft Festival offers countless exciting activities for you to explore the culture and art of Hue and the world, such as the Ao Dai Festival, culinary festivals, artistic performances, cultural exchanges, and art exhibitions from various countries.
2. Danang International Balloon Festival
Duration:
Location:
If you missed the hot air balloon spectacle in Hue, worry not! In Da Nang city, the Hot Air Balloon Festival runs until 01/05. This year's Da Nang International Hot Air Balloon Festival promises five days of awe-inspiring entertainment, a grand opportunity for travelers in Da Nang to witness the luminous skies on the 30th of April.

This year, the International Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place in Da Nang. @danangfantasticcity
The Da Nang 2019 Hot Air Balloon Festival is set against the picturesque backdrop of Hoa Trung Lake. Located approximately 20 km from downtown Da Nang, Hoa Trung Lake boasts expansive green meadows and distant mountains. Renowned for its dreamlike scenery, Hoa Trung Lake has long been a favorite destination for locals seeking weekend outdoor adventures and camping.

Hoa Trung Lake - Venue for the 2019 Da Nang International Hot Air Balloon Festival. @Mytour Golocal

The idyllic scenery of Hoa Trung Lake. @Mytour Golocal

Expansive green meadows provide an ideal setting for the International Hot Air Balloon Festival. @Mytour Golocal
Imagine the breathtaking natural beauty of Hoa Trung Lake serving as the perfect backdrop for soaring hot air balloons, reminiscent of scenes from Turkey. Just the thought of it should compel you to attend the upcoming Da Nang Hot Air Balloon Festival. You're sure to capture unforgettable moments.

Opportunity to capture timeless photos without venturing far. @renoballoon
Directions to Hoa Trung Lake:
Hoa Trung Lake is located approximately 20 km northwest of downtown Da Nang, about a 40-minute drive. You can reach here by motorcycle, car, or taxi. The route is not too difficult, so travelers can easily rent a motorcycle. There are two main routes to Hoa Trung Lake:

Directions to Hoa Trung Lake via Nguyen Tat Thanh coastal road.
During the dry months, Hoa Trung Lake may dry up, allowing for walking or driving through its bed. Currently, to venture into the center of the lake, you must rent boats from locals or kayak boats for self-paddling. However, there are some precautions to consider:

You can rent kayaks for self-paddling at Hoa Trung Lake, but remember to be cautious! @Mytour Golocal
3. Proposed Itinerary for Attending the 2019 International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Time | Activity |
27/4 – 29/04/2019 | Participate in the Hue Traditional Craft Festival and Hue International Hot Air Balloon Festival |
30/4 – 1/5/2019 | Attend the Da Nang International Hot Air Balloon Festival |
So, the time and location of the two Hot Air Balloon Festivals have been clearly provided, and I've also outlined the route for you. Now all you need to do is pack your bags and head to Hue and Da Nang for this holiday. Mytour has a handy travel guide to Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An for you to enjoy during this festive season. While in Da Nang and Hue, don't forget to check out the entertainment activities in these two cities. Even though you may be familiar with them, there are still plenty of exciting experiences to discover during the festival season. Wishing you a joyful April 30th holiday and may you capture plenty of magical hot air balloon photos in Da Nang and Hue, and remember to share your images with Mytour!
