The International Air Balloon Festival 2016 opened in Vietnam’s northern Son La province on Thursday, some 200km west of capital Hanoi. The event drew participations of air balloon pilots from China’ s Taiwan, India, the Netherlands, Thailand and Vietnam, reported the state-run news agency VNA on Thursday. “The festival aims to introduce a new and modern tourism product of Son La’s Moc Chau district as well as promote agricultural products of Moc Chau among domestic and international friends,” said Nguyen Thi Hoa, vice chairwoman of Moc Chau District’s People’s Committee, organiser of the event. During the festival which will last until Sunday, three air balloons will be flying stably while two air balloons flying freely. Four other mini air balloons and one airship will be part of the event.