In Da Lat, a highland summer retreat in Vietnam, an experience of swooping down from the sky toward the popular photo spot "Lonely Pine (Cay thong co don)," which until now you could only view from the ground, is becoming a talking point. You take off from the summit of Lang Biang mountain and, while looking down over the pine forest and highland scenery, land by the shore of Dankia – Suoi Vang lake. A standard "photogenic" spot where tourists form lines and wait their turn is turning into a new way to enjoy it from an aerial viewpoint. For those considering Da Lat as their next destination, it's a story where a place that was just for taking one photo can become a highlight of the trip.
A new way to play, aiming at a ground-level attraction "from the sky"
The starting point was a tandem (two-person) paragliding experience departing from the Lang Biang summit, reported by local media. You go up to the summit by shuttle vehicle, savor the pine forest spreading below and the cool highland air, and then take off; the glider glides over the highland scenery and finally descends to the grassland where the "Lonely Pine" stands. Until now, the Lonely Pine was a "ground-level attraction" where you took commemorative photos against a single pine standing by the lakeshore. That you approach that same place from the sky as the goal of a flight is the core of its novelty.
Why sky experiences are increasing in Da Lat now
Da Lat is a highland city at an elevation of about 1,500m, cool year-round, with terrain where updrafts easily stabilize. The Lang Biang summit that serves as the flight's starting point is said to be at an elevation of roughly 1,900m, considered the highest takeoff point within Vietnam. This elevation difference and stable weather conditions make for a stage where you can enjoy gliding for a long time.
Behind this is a flow in which Da Lat is shifting the center of gravity of its tourism from a "city for taking photos" to a "city for experiences." In addition to scenic resources such as lakes, flower fields, and coffee plantations, activities that actively enjoy that scenery have begun to become the purpose of a trip. Like the Lonely Pine, the idea of layering experiences onto a place where people originally gathered for photos makes sense as a technique for overwriting the value of a crowded standard spot.
Elevation, time required, and price guide
Organizing the publicly available information, it's roughly as follows. Since prices and time required vary with weather and wind conditions, please take them purely as a guide.
| Item | Guide |
|---|---|
| Takeoff point | Lang Biang summit (elevation about 1,900m) |
| Landing point | Grassland around the Lonely Pine / Dankia – Suoi Vang |
| Flight time | About 10 to 15 minutes (depending on weather and wind) |
| Fee | About 2.2 to 2.5 million VND per person (VAT separate) |
| Operating model | Tandem flight by an officially licensed operator |
The 2.2 to 2.5 million VND, converted at the exchange rate as of June 2026 (roughly 1 yen ≈ 167 to 170 VND), works out to roughly a range of about 13,000 to 15,000 yen. Considered as a flight of a dozen or so minutes where you can have the highland scenery all to yourself, it's a price range worth considering as an investment in an experience you can get only in Da Lat.
How locals see it
From those who've done it, there are voices saying that precisely because they've photographed the Lonely Pine many times from the ground, they were surprised by the composition of approaching it from the sky. The reception is that the experience of looking down on the attraction from a height where no one else is, without lining up in a queue, is fresh. Among local tourism people there's a view that positively rates the point of being able to convert a mere photo spot into experience content with a long dwell time. On the other hand, since there are days you can't fly because the highland easily produces wind and clouds, cautious voices are also heard saying you should plan your itinerary on the premise of being weather-dependent.
Practical points Japanese travelers should keep in mind
日本から計画する際にまず確認したいのが、ダラットへの行き方です。市街地に近いリエンクオン（Lien Khuong）空港は、滑走路の改修工事のため2026年3月4日から運休に入り、再開は8月19日（中旬）の見込みとされています。The reopening timing of Da Lat AirportGiven this, for the period until then, the basic route is to climb the highland by car or bus from Ho Chi Minh City or Nha Trang. Since the time required runs to several hours depending on the departure point, it's realistic to work the flight in with some leeway on the next day or later, rather than flying right on the arrival day.
The best season is the dry season (roughly November to around April), when there's relatively little rain and visibility easily opens up. Even in the rainy season there are many days it easily clears in the morning, but since clouds and rain easily appear in the afternoon, aiming for the early-morning hours for the flight raises the success rate. For reservations, contacting the operator in advance and telling them the conditions such as desired date, number of people, and body weight makes it smooth. Also check at the time of application how same-day cancellations (weather cancellations) are handled and whether a retry is possible.
Having a sense of the exchange rate as preparation for payment is reassuring too. As mentioned, as of June 2026, 1 yen is trending at roughly 167 to 170 VND, and for 2.2 million VND, about 13,000 yen is one gut feel. Asking at the time of reservation which currency and whether cards are accepted for on-site payment means you won't panic on the day. Those who want to build a trip centered on activities will also find it easy to consider an itinerary combining sea activities likeMui Ne's kitesurfingwith the highland sky experience.
Things to check on safety
A tandem flight is basically done as a two-person ride with a qualified pilot. At Lang Biang, the point that officially licensed operators are running it is one reassuring factor. When applying, it's good to check whether the operator has obtained a license, the pilot's qualifications and experience, and the maintenance state of the equipment. On the day, the flight may be called off for reasons such as strong wind or poor visibility. This is a judgment for safety, so it's wise not to demand to fly by force and to plan on the premise of setting aside a spare day. For clothing, choose easy-to-move long sleeves and long pants and shoes that firmly cover the feet, and it's reassuring to make hats and small items ones you can secure so they don't blow away.
Ripple effect as tourism content
The movement to change an attraction from a "place to photograph" to a "place to experience" has the potential to change the very design of a Da Lat trip. With only ground-level photography, the stay tends to be short, but by adding an approach from the sky, a reason arises to enjoy that whole area over half a day to a day. If dwell time extends, ripple effects to nearby cafés, plantations, and lodging can also be expected. Those interested in an experiential stay may also want to consider how to spend time in Da Lat together with a style of staying slowly in one place, likea multi-night stay in Hoi An.
Summary: if you're working it into your next trip
Paragliding aimed at Da Lat's "Lonely Pine" from the sky is a new option that elevates a standard photo spot into an active experience. When planning, keeping in mind these three points makes failure less likely: (1) check the suspension and reopening timing of Lien Khuong Airport and allow leeway for overland travel, (2) aim for the dry season and morning hours to raise the success rate, and (3) check the license, pilot qualifications, and how weather cancellations are handled at the time of reservation. A dozen or so minutes looking down on the attraction from the cool highland sky will surely become a memorable scene of a Da Lat trip.
