Tourism site in Vietnam's Central Highlands closed after South Korean tourist slips to death

The Langbiang tourist area in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong where a South Korean female tourist slipped and fell to her death suspended all sightseeing activities from Friday.

Travel firm Dalattourist, the main investor of the site, around 12 kilometers from downtown Da Lat, said all tourism activities at the site would be suspended until further notice.

The company added its coaster and canyoning activities at the Datanla Waterfall tourism site in Da Lat would be halted until the end of October 31 for maintenance work.

The suspension came a day after the 60-year-old tourist died Thursday afternoon after falling off a cliff on Lang Biang Mountain.

She reached a rock cliff where local authorities had erected warning signs to prevent tourists from approaching it to take photos.

Langbiang Plateau was popularized by French biologist Alexandre Yersin in 1893 and is designated an Endemic Bird Area by BirdLife International, a global partnership of non-governmental organizations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats.

Lying 1,400 meters above sea level, the plateau is surrounded by high mountains, green pine forests and fresh air, making it an ideal habitat for rare birds.

The mountain is famous for its trekking and outdoor camping activities.

Just a few days ago, four South Korean tourists were killed when a flash flood hit their jeep in a shallow stream in the Cu Lan village tourist area, Lac Duong district.

The Cu Lan village tourist site, located amidst the wild primeval forest at the foot of Lang Biang Mountain, was temporarily suspend.

Since Vietnam resumed inbound tourism in March last year, South Korea has become the largest source of tourist arrivals. In the first nine months of this year, Vietnam welcomed over 2.5 million South Koreans.

The Central Highlands town of Da Lat ranks fourth in a list of 10 cheapest Asia-Pacific destinations for the year-end holiday season compiled by online travel agency Agoda.

Situated on a plateau around 1,500 meters above sea level, Da Lat enjoys year-round cool weather that stands in contrast to Vietnam's tropical climate. It used to be a summer hideout for French officials who built villas in the hills to escape the heat and humidity of the lowlands.

Last July, budget carrier Vietjet launched a direct route connecting the resort town of Da Lat with Busan, the largest coastal city of South Korea.