Vietnam to have first helicopter ride-hailing service

FastGo will launch the first helicopter ride-hailing services - FastSky in the country by the end of this month.-VNS Photo

FastGo said it has co-operated with a prestigious helicopter firm in Vietnam, which declined to be named. This co-branding project will provide customers with a helicopter ride-hailing service through an app, and will also aim to promote tourism in northern provinces.

FastGo said FastSky services will include SkyTour, which will offer sightseeing tours of 12, 25 or 40 minutes from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, and other tours.

In addition, it will provide SkySOS in which helicopters will land on skyscrapers in Hanoi to pick up patients in emergencies. Customers will also enjoy SkyWedding services that provide wedding photography at Ha Long Bay and Tuan Chau Island.

Private tours for tourism, exploration and work will also be offered by SkyPlus services in the allowable air space.

A representative from the helicopter provider said tourism and transport services by helicopter had become a trend around the world.

“In Vietnam, with our 30 years of experience in operating and providing safe and effective helicopter services, we are capable of providing world-class helicopter services to the Vietnamese market. The co-operation with FastGo will help customers manage their flight schedule and make payments,” he said.

Nguyen Huu Tuat, founder of FastGo, said their new services aim to promote Vietnam’s tourism to local and foreign visitors. FastSky sevices will bring premium services in the most convenient and simple way, while customers will have more choices for transport demand and other needs.

FastSky allows customers to book flights and make payments in advance by bank card. In addition, customers can pay by credit card by installment for periods of three months, six months or one year at zero interest rate, supported by the VIMO Vietnam Joint Stock Company.

FastGo and the helicopter company are completing final procedures to prepare for the launch of the service.

FastGo, a subsidiary of Vietnamese technology start-up NextTech Group, began operation in June last year.

It expanded its operation to Myanmar last December and plans to launch operations in Singapore this month and in five other countries in the region by the end of this year.

With some 60,000 drivers, the company is the second most popular ride-hailing firm in Vietnam after Grab.