The service relaunched on March 11 from Vung Tau Airport, with flights scheduled every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 am and 3 pm.
The programme features four routes lasting from 15 to 60 minutes, with ticket prices depending on whether passengers choose standard seating (10+2 seats) or VIP seating (eight seats).
A 15-minute Vung Tau Skyview tour offers aerial views of Vung Tau, with ticket prices ranging from VND 2.9 million (about USD 110) to VND 4.3 million per seat.
The 30-minute Green Horizon route connects Vung Tau with the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve and costs between VND 5.9 million (about USD 225) and VND 9.4 million per seat.
Another option, the 40-minute Green Coastline tour, flies along the Long Hai-Ho Tram coastline, with fares ranging from VND 8.1 million (about USD 308) to VND 12.6 million per seat.
The longest route, Skyline Discovery, lasts 60 minutes and travels from Vung Tau to central Ho Chi Minh City while showcasing the mangrove ecosystem of Can Gio. Ticket prices range from VND 12.5 million (about USD 475) to VND 18.8 million per seat.
Flights are operated by Southern Helicopter Company, which is responsible for aircraft operations and aviation safety under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.
The tours use helicopters such as the Airbus EC155B1, along with equivalent aircraft including the Airbus Super Puma L2, Leonardo AW189 and Airbus EC225.
The helipad at Vung Tau Airport is equipped with security screening, baggage checks and safety briefings in both Vietnamese and English. All flights are insured according to international aviation standards, and passengers must provide health information before departure.
Authorities said the city may invite investment in additional satellite helipads to connect helicopter tours with waterway tourism routes and other attractions.
Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said helicopter sightseeing could become an iconic tourism product for the city as it seeks to develop innovative and high-value travel experiences.
Officials also expect closer coordination between local authorities and tourism operators to ensure safety, expand services and link helicopter tourism with medical transport and other tourism offerings.
The idea of helicopter tourism was first studied and piloted in 2022 with flights over Ho Chi Minh City, Can Gio and Long An, though the rollout initially faced coordination and management challenges across different local authorities.
