The move comes after a helicopter carrying four tourists crashed yesterday evening in the waters between Halong Bay of Quang Ninh Province and Lan Ha Bay of neighboring Haiphong City.

So far, rescuers have found the bodies of the pilot and three tourists. One victim is still missing.

The helicopter sightseeing tours are conducted by the Vietnam Helicopter Corporation, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Defense at Halong Bay in Quang Ninh, Danang, Dien Bien, Mai Chau in Hoa Binh, the Mu Cang Chai rice terraces in Yen Bai and Vung Tau-Con Dao.

Sightseeing services at Halong Bay, Danang and Vung Tau are available all year round upon request.

Helicopter travel services in Ha Long cost from VND2.2-6.16 million per passenger, depending on location and flight duration.

The Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority is not in charge of granting permission for this service.

Source: Saigon Times