A seaplane of Hai Au Aviation lands at Dong Hoi Airport. The airline will launch a new air route between Da Nang and Quang Binh Province on Saturday to serve sight-seeing tours between the two tourism hubs. — Photo courtesy Hai Au Aviation

Hai Au Aviation on Saturday opened a new air route between Da Nang City and Quang Binh Province to serve sightseeing tours for travellers who want to explore the two tourism hubs and Son Doong, the world's biggest cave, in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

The airline uses a 12-seat Cessna Grand Caravan plane to carry tourists from Da Nang International Airport to Dong Hoi Airport, with direct return flights on Thursday and Sunday.

The flight between Da Nang and Dong Hoi cities takes 70 minutes instead of six hours by train or seven hours by bus.

Tourists will get a bird’s eye view as they fly over Hai Van Pass and Truong Son Mountain range; Lang Co beach and Tam Giang Lagoon in Hue; the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Quang Tri; and the ancient citadel of Dong Hoi.

The airline, under the Thien Minh Group, is offering VND6.9 million (US$300) tickets for the trip which departs from Da Nang at 8am and returns from Dong Hoi Airport at 9.40am.

The new air route will offer more options to adventurers who want to explore World Heritage sites in central Viet Nam, including those in Hue, Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary and Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park.

In April, Hai Au Aviation began daily flights between Da Nang and Hue City for aerial sightseeing tours.

The airline plans to expand the service from Da Nang to Phan Thiet and Nha Trang in the near future.

The Thien Minh Group, in a joint venture with budget airline AirAsia, plans to launch new air routes in Viet Nam and international destinations later this year. — VNS