Kite boarders gravitate to south-central Vietnam
Friday, March 11, 2022, 11:04 GMT+7
My Hoa Village in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam has become a mecca for local and foreign kiteboarders over the last four years.
The village, located in Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, has hosted several kiteboarding competitions over the past decade, including the 2016 Kiteboard Tour Asia and the 2019 Ninh Chu Kiteboarding Festival.
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| A tourist kite surfs near My Hoa Village, Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre |
Kiteboarding is an extremely challenging sport in which athletes leverage the wind to pull themselves across the water, according to Hang Huy Son, a kiteboarder with over a decade of experience.
"Not only is My Hoa appealing to elite athletes, but it is also an ideal location to learn how to kiteboard with a team of experienced trainers," Son said.
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| Tourists kite-surfs near My Hoa Village, Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre |
Son began competing in kiteboarding competitions in 2010. In 2017, he competed in Ninh Thuan's CR: X Convertible Kite Racing.
He obtained his international kitesurfing teacher qualification from the IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) in 2017 and earns a living teaching the sport to travelers.
"Kiteboarding coaches working in My Hoa Village must have a qualification, otherwise they aren’t allowed to work with beginners," Son shared.
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| Tourists kite-surf near My Hoa Village, Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre |
The windy conditions in My Hoa Village are ideal for kiteboarding, according to Nguyen Thai Le Trung, who has been kiteboarding for seven years.
"We have great winds in My Hoa, and the waves and sea depth are perfect for kiteboarding," Trung explained, adding that the kiteboarding season typically lasts from November to the end of March.
The winds in Ninh Thuan attract both local and international tourists, according to World Bank survey data.
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| A kite surfer heads into the sky near My Hoa Village, Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre |
Ninh Thuan has the highest wind volume in the country, with 14 potential wind zones in Thuan Bac, Thuan Nam, and Ninh Phuoc Districts that record average wind speeds of 7.25 meters per second at an altitude of 65 meters.
My Hoa, in particular, is a magnificent beach with a unique coastline that stretches for five kilometers.
Its blue sea, strong winds, and year-round warm weather make it a big draw for travelers from around the world.
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| A tourist kite-surfs near My Hoa Village, Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre |
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