QuangNgai (VNA) - Around 100 paragliders from clubs nationwide andforeign countries will compete in the Quang Ngai Open ParaglidingChampionship on Ly Son Island off the coast of Quang Ngai province fromJune 20-24.
Directorof the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Minh Trisaid this will be the first time the province has hosted a paragliding event onthe island.
He saidit will draw pilots from Vietwings Hanoi, Dong Bac club, News Sky, DaNang, Ho Chi Minh City and teams from Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Japan andIndonesia.
Pilots willtake off from a point on Thoi Loi Mountain, 170m above sea level, and land onthe runaway of Ly Son heliport.
Therewill be qualifying rounds and a final over the course of two day for cashprizes totalling 50 million VND.
Theorganisers said the championship aims to promote the culture and geology of theIsland as the province prepares for the recognition of Ly Son-Sa HuynhGeo-Park.
Ly SonIsland was created from volcanic eruptions 25 to 30 million years ago,leaving landscapes with caves, cliffs, rock arches and a lake.
The island, known as the "Kingdom of Garlic" in Vietnam,is a tranquil destination with 21,000 inhabitants, most of whom make theirliving from farming garlic and spring onions and fishing. It hosts more than200,000 tourists each year.-VNA