Paragliding Experience Review in Sapa (Thao Nguyen’s Blog)

"My name is Thảo Nguyên, an office worker with a fairly busy schedule. I never thought I would try an adventure sport like paragliding until I had the chance to visit Sapa and decided to “just go for it.” Before the trip, I spent quite a bit of time researching paragliding in Sapa—whether it’s safe, if prior experience is needed, and the cost. After reading reviews and comparing options, I chose Sapa Paragliding because they have over 10 years of experience operating at multiple locations across the country. In my opinion, this is still an extreme sport, so I prioritized safety over flying higher or going farther"

🚗 Pick-up and preparation before the flight

"The service was quite professional. Since I was traveling alone, the team from Sapa Paragliding picked me up by motorbike. They explained that groups of two or more are usually picked up by car. Personally, I enjoy outdoor experiences, so I didn’t mind the motorbike ride at all—it was only about 15 minutes to the takeoff site. In fact, it felt faster since the roads in Sapa are quite narrow, and cars tend to move slower"

🚀 Was take-off as hard as I expected?

"It wasn’t as difficult as I initially thought. The most important part is during takeoff—you need to overcome your fear and commit to running together with the pilot. I even saw another passenger lift their legs too early, which made takeoff more difficult and forced the pilot to abort. They had to reset and try again"

🏞️ Sapa seen from under the wing

"The scenery in Sapa is absolutely stunning! Watching from cafés on the mountains is already impressive, but being up in the sky under a paraglider is ten times more breathtaking. It’s a moment I will never forget ! My pilot was Mr. Hung, and he was incredibly kind. He patiently explained everything when I felt nervous during takeoff. Once we were in the air, he kept talking and encouraging me, helping me overcome my fear so I could relax and truly enjoy the flight"

🛬 After landing

"Right after landing, I was taken to a cozy riverside café to receive my video, photos, and certificate while waiting for the return ride. This stop was actually a highlight—I even had time to explore a small street selling handmade brocade items, bought a scarf, and took plenty of great photos. About 15 minutes later, I was picked up and safely returned to my hotel. Overall, aside from the waiting time at the takeoff site—which made me a bit worried about whether I’d be able to fly—the entire experience was incredibly enjoyable and memorable"

⏳ One thing that was not perfect

"One unavoidable downside was that although the tour was advertised as 90 minutes, I ended up waiting around 120 minutes. When I arrived, the weather was a bit foggy, so we had to wait for better conditions to ensure a safe and beautiful flight. The weather in Sapa can be unpredictable, so I completely understand—even though the forecast had predicted sunshine the day before. ^^ So it’s a good idea to allow some extra buffer time in advance, so you can plan your schedule and other activities accordingly ! I truly loved this experience with Sapa Paragliding. Thank you to pilot Hùng for accompanying me on that unforgettable flight journey "