A busy day in the life of a Vietnamese paraglider pilot
These are the heartfelt thoughts and stories shared by Mr. Dang Van My – an experienced paragliding pilot in Vietnam. He is currently flying at Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, and Hanoi. Let’s take a look at a day in his life
During the rice season, Mu Cang Chai reveals its raw and breathtaking beauty through endless terraced rice fields winding gracefully along the mountainsides. Soft white mist drifts through the valleys, blending with the lush green rice fields to create a landscape that is both poetic and majestic. From early morning, groups of visitors begin arriving at Khau Pha Pass flying site to admire the scenery, watch colorful paragliders soaring across the sky, and experience this exciting activity for themselves. As paragliding is still a relatively new sport, most visitors are especially concerned about safety and naturally have many questions before flying. For that reason, Pilot My and the other pilots always arrive early to provide guidance, answer every concern, and help passengers feel confident and reassured before their flight.
🏔️ Heading up to the launch site
After completing registration and all pre-flight procedures, the pilot and passengers make their way to the takeoff site. Paragliding takeoff areas are typically located on steep terrain, which can feel unfamiliar and cause a bit of anxiety for first-time flyers. This is a completely normal feeling, so pilots not only prepare the technical aspects of the flight but also reassure and guide their passengers, helping them stay calm and confident as they take off.
Checking the wing and equipment is extremely important. Like other pilots, before each flight, My carefully unfolds the gear and inspects the entire system — including the lines, harness, and carabiners — to ensure everything is technically safe for the flight.
🧓 A special passenger: Carlos, 60, from the Philippines
Today’s special passenger is a 60-year-old gentleman from the Philippines – Mr. Carlos Reyes. At an age when many choose to rest, he decided to grab his backpack and take to the skies… After a long journey across multiple destinations, he and his family finally arrived in Mu Cang Chai. Today, the entire family will experience paragliding together at Khau Pha Pass – often described as Vietnam’s “paragliding paradise.” It’s more than just a flight; it’s a memorable experience where the family shares moments of excitement, anticipation, and laughter echoing through the mountains of Northwest Vietnam.
🚀 The moment of take-off
The takeoff went smoothly. Prior to the flight, Mr. Carlos had received detailed instructions: at the start, he needed to run steadily and coordinate his movements with the pilot behind him. When experiencing a paragliding flight, one important note was not to bend his legs or jump too early, as this could prevent a successful takeoff. For this reason, passengers are always reminded to “just run” – follow the pilot’s guidance, and the pilot will handle the rest.
The sky today was indescribably beautiful, promising a perfect day for flying! Even for a pilot like My, who has completed thousands of flights, every time he takes to the sky brings a unique sense of excitement. He smiled and shared, “Paragliding is a very special sport. For many people, they may only fly once in their lifetime, so every photo or video captured is incredibly meaningful. These are the moments of genuine emotion – they can’t be staged or hidden!” And it was true! From shots of the deep blue sky, the winding terraced rice fields, to… the passengers’ most authentic expressions. Some were screaming in thrill, others laughing uncontrollably with excitement, and some… had completely stunned faces from the surprise. Like Mr. Carlos Reyes and another passenger, his wife Mrs. Maria Santos, each experienced the flight differently, yet together they created unforgettable moments – authentic, joyful, and certainly ones they will want to relive again and again after the trip.
"This truly is an unforgettable moment in my life. It feels like I’ve just overcome my own fears, and then a flood of emotions hits me. You know what I mean? It’s incredibly moving… and I absolutely love the beauty of Vietnam!"
— Ông Carlos Reyes chia sẻ
The entire family laughed, cheered, and shared their joy together, turning their paragliding experience into an unforgettable memory against the backdrop of the majestic skies of Northwest Vietnam.
🛬 After landing
Right after landing, the pilot will guide passengers to the resting area to relax after an emotional flight. Here, the pilot will sign a flight experience certificate for the passengers and share inspiring moments together. For pilot My, the sky is not just a “workplace” – it’s where he fully lives his passion. He always strives to pass on that enthusiasm to every passenger, making each flight not only an experience but also an emotionally meaningful and unforgettable memory.
📚 Pilot Dang Van My – flying and translating
Pilot Dang Van My is not only an experienced paraglider but also the translator of several specialized paragliding books in Vietnam, such as Understanding the Sky, Thermal Flying, and Cross-Country Flying. He is currently a professional tandem pilot and paragliding instructor at multiple levels across Vietnam. His passion for the sky continues to inspire many young people who love and pursue paragliding. Immediately after the flight, the entire family – including Mr. Carlos Reyes and his family members – erupted with joy after successfully completing their paragliding experience. Bright smiles, moments of cheering, and commemorative photos against the majestic skies of Northwest Vietnam marked the end of a truly memorable day. This was more than just a flight; it was a complete experience, capturing the genuine and meaningful emotions of the whole family.
Author: Thuy Nguyen Paragliding Pilot | Operation Manager at Sapa Paragliding | Vietnam