A Vietnamese hot air balloon team took part in the third Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Malaysia from March 17-20.

Vietnam was asked by the organizer to send five balloons to the fiesta even though this was the first time it has been invited.

27 hot air balloons from 14 countries attended the fiesta including the US, Japan, Belgium, Switzerland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, France, Germany, the UK, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This also provided an opportunity for Vietnam to promote its image to the world and call on international friends to vote for Ha Long Bay as one of the world’s seven natural wonders.

It was estimated that the 2011 fiesta attracted as many as 300,000 domestic and international visitors.

(VOV)