Ca Mau festival showcases Vietnam's largest hot-air balloon

Photo courtesy of Tuoi Tre

Thousands of visitors gathered in Ca Mau as 34 colourful hot-air balloons filled the sky, with Vietnam’s largest tourism balloon becoming the centrepiece of a major National Day festival.

The 2026 Ca Mau Hot-Air Balloon Festival was held at Hung Vuong Square in Bac Lieu Ward, with balloons representing Vietnam’s 34 provinces and cities.

The event formed part of the province’s first Cultural Heritage Day and Hot-Air Balloon Festival and carried the theme “Ca Mau joins the nation in soaring into a new era.” It was organised ahead of Vietnam’s National Day on September 2.

Largest balloon carries up to 12 passengers

Local authorities said the main attraction was Vietnam’s largest tourism hot-air balloon. It stands approximately 28 metres high, measures 22 metres across and has a lifting capacity of between 1.2 and 1.5 tonnes.

The balloon can carry 10 to 12 passengers on each ride. Three large class 7–8 balloons were tethered at heights of 40–50 metres for sessions lasting 90–120 minutes.

Another 16 smaller class 1 balloons hovered at heights of 20–30 metres as part of the aerial display. Short tethered rides on the larger balloons lasted between three and five minutes and reached up to 50 metres.

Festival draws visitors despite rain

Rain and less-than-ideal weather did not prevent many balloons from taking flight. Local resident Nguyen Tran Minh Thu said she was excited to experience her first balloon ride in her hometown.

Ngo Nguyen Bao Tram said the scale of the event impressed her and noted that tourists had travelled hundreds of kilometres to attend.

The spectacle also attracted digital content creators who used social media to promote Ca Mau’s culture and tourism. Balloon activities ran from August 29 to 31, with morning sessions from 6am to 9am and further activities beginning at 4.30pm.

Provincial authorities hope the festival will broaden the range of tourism experiences available in Vietnam’s southernmost province.

What it means for foreigners in Vietnam

The festival offers foreign residents and visitors a chance to see Ca Mau beyond its better-known natural attractions. Balloon rides are weather-dependent and short tethered experiences may be heavily subscribed, so visitors should follow organiser instructions and check operating times locally. The 2026 programme ended on August 31, but its popularity may encourage similar tourism events in the province.

1 September 2026