Are you travelling to Vietnam? Any trip to Da Nang is incomplete without visiting the stunning Golden Hands Bridge and clicking the photos of the sculpted hands. In the heart of the Trường Sơn Mountains, an engineering marvel (bridge) has been captivating the interest of travelers from around the world since its opening in 2018. It is one of those places that looks like it came straight from a fantasy novel. Ba Na hills in Da Nang are home to recreational rides, the thrilling cable car, the calming pagodas, and the picturesque French villages. In addition, it also makes your heart swell with its refreshing mountain air, fascinating history, and manicured gardens. The Alpine coaster and other rides are perfect for the thrill seekers. The magical and otherworldly natural landscapes of this recreational complex built by the Sun World near Da Nang in Central Vietnam are awaiting you with their open arms. Be ready to let your hair down and sign up for a day of fun and outdoor celebration. Not to forget, the photo opportunities are aplenty.
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Where and what is so special about Ba Na Hills?
To be precise, the address says ‘An Son Village, Hoa Ninh Commune in the Hoa Vang Dist’. Located only 40 kilometers away from the My Khe beach of Da Nang in Vietnam, this European-themed recreational resort-cum-theme park has been landscaped in the form of a French resort on the top of the Truong Son Mountains. At the height of 1,487 meters above sea level, Ba Na Hills serves as an amusement park that promises a variety of attractions along with the majestic views. There are three levels to this entertainment complex, and the state of the art cable car system elevates the experience of reaching these levels. The Golden Hands Bridge is located at the top. Over the years, this hill station has been garnering attention with its ever increasing rides, festivals, new hotels and restaurants.
History and World Records
The history of Ba Na hills can be traced back to the 1900s when the French colonists forayed in Vietnam. The mist-cloaked peaks and the scenic vistas attracted them to the location. First they made their homes in this cool region. Later, these mountains, not too far from the beach were sought as a retreat for the elite French families. Post war, when they left, it remained abandoned for several decades till the Sun World developers turned it into a wholesome adventure cum amusement park. The French Villages come as a reminder of the past.
The cable car system has achieved several feats since its opening in 2013. It has often been recognized for its speed, length and height but the most prestigious assessment declares it as the longest non-stop single track cable car of 5,801 m (19.032 ft) in the Guinness world record book. CNN has also listed it among the ten most amazing gondola rides in the world. At Ba Na hills, one must also not miss the largest gondola departure station, which is also doubles up as an open air museum.
Mixed Bag of Adventure, Thrill and Spiritual Indulgence
One must begin with procuring the entrance tickets. Purchase it beforehand (online or tour agents) or collect it from the automatic ticket booths or kiosks at the entrance. Once you have it, you may start walking towards the cable car stations. On the way, you will find a village setup with traditional Vietnamese houses, koi fish ponds and amazing gardens. The excitement to get to the bridge supersedes everything else and thus, people often miss out to notice the creative facets of the ground station. There is more than one route so you may pick the station that you wish to go to first. Travelers can choose to be in the flower gardens (Marseille Station) near Golden hands or the French village (Morin station), depending on different routes.
The 15-17 minutes cable car journey to the elevated station takes you above the mountain greenery and fetches breathtaking views. And in no time, you will find yourself in another world, often in awe of the creativity, engineering and nature. On a clear day, the breathtaking 360-degree views will entertain you right from the moment the gondola starts moving. When you reach the top, it will leave you overwhelmed with the unexpected.
If the gondola leads you to the gardens first, the world-famous Golden Bridge is closest ever. In case of the other station, you will approach the Fantasy Park and Bana Hills French Village first, where the paved streets and the picturesque castles recreate the period of medieval Europe. Walk around to soak in the vibes of the cathedral, square fountain, cobbled streets, vibrant cafés, town square and vintage cars. The archways and balconies of the French houses make for beautiful background for pictures. You can be here for the whole day and yet not be bored.
At Bana Hills, travelers must not miss praying and bowing down to the grand Linh Ung Pagoda, which is situated 1,500 meters above sea level and is one of Vietnam’s largest Buddha statues resting on a majestic circular base. The Linh Phong Zen Monastery and the Holy Mother Shrine are also popular sites there. The adrenaline rush meets a balance at these calming spiritual points.
The arcade games, bumper cars, drop and twist tower, Swing du Fantasie along with the 3D, 4D and 5D theatres will leave you engrossed and thus, you may lose track of your time. Hence, it is recommended to visit the Golden Bridge and the gardens first. Once you are done exploring the many facets of the bridge, you may dedicate your time at the Fantasy Park.
The term ‘spectacular’ isn’t enough to describe the Golden Bridge. The designers and the engineering team have done a fabulous job. One cannot not be enamored with the architecture of the bridge, the scenic beauty of the locations and the exhilarating views as they walk on the bridge.
Le Jardin d’Amour Garden, Alpine Coaster, Debay Wine Cellar and Golf Club
One must unravel all the surprises at Ba Na Hills. The fun lies in walking around and finding things for you. The bridge acts as a perfect connection between Marseille cable car station and Thien Thai garden and Le Jardin d’Amour Garden. The gardens at Le Jardin d’Amour are stunning, making for some of the best Instagrammable shots. The garden maze, the dancing girl, the giant chessboard fill the visitors with awe and joy. The funicular ride from Le Jardin station to D’Amour Station, which connects the Sun to the Moon village, is unmissable. If you have a special interest in wines, the 100 year old Debay Cellar will quench your thirst suitably. In these beautiful surroundings, you would also get to do an Alpine roller coaster ride which would leave you asking for more and more. Last but not the least, the golf enthusiasts must also check for the professional courses at the Ba Na Hills Golf Club.
How and When to Plan for the Sun World Ba Na Hills?
If you are in other cities of Vietnam, you must reach Da Nang first to be able to visit Ba Na Hills. Plan your itinerary in a way that a whole day is dedicated to Ba Na Hills. Always check for the weather forecast before buying the tickets. A clear day is the perfect day as the cable car system may or may not function on the rainy and stormy days. The weather is mostly dynamic at that height, thus it is best to pack a light jacket. It is choked during the dry/spring season. However, the Pre-monsoon season saves you from the crowd but you will have to be prepared for the light showers. It is also important to figure out the transportation in advance. There are shuttle buses that ply from Da Nang to Ba Na Hills but you must check the route and the time from your hotel. Booking a taxi for the whole day or using the ‘Grab App’ is the most convenient way to reach there. One must wear sneakers or flats to be able to do lots of walking around. Keep the tickets, passport and some cash handy if you are a foreign traveler. Do not worry about food and water as there are enough eateries at different stations.
Remember, time management is the key to wholesome entertainment at the Ba Na Hills. Prioritizing and being aware of the attractions beforehand will help you cover pretty much everything in a time efficient manner.
Helpful Tips
- Reach the Golden Bridge as early as possible to manage crowd less pictures.
- Study the map carefully and ensure that you visit all the key attractions.
- Do not shy from asking at the Information booths. They are helpful.
- The food at the restaurants is quite expensive. Buying the combination of Ba Na Hills ticket + buffet is often cost effective.
- If possible, plan your dates as per the art festival that takes place during summers and an enriching winter festival to meet the world-class performers.
Did You Know?
- The emblem of Ba Na Hills is hoa dao chuong, a pink bell-shaped peach blossom which is a native spring flower of Vietnam.
- Ba Na Hills mountain resort is surrounded by Ba Na-Nui Chua nature reserve, which has a very rich ecosystem with 95 flora species, 61 mammals, 17 amphibians, 178 birds, 33 fishes and 126 butterflies.
- During the colonial years, it is said that the visitors used to be carried up the hill by local Vietnamese workers. Now, they have the cable car system in place.
- Vietnamese couples have been doing wedding shoots here.
- There are resorts and hotels too inside the French Village giving a perfect option to the travelers to spend the night at the Ba Na Hills. The idea may not attract everyone but it is worth to stay for the gorgeous sunrise and sunset views with the bridge and the surrounding French Village.
P.S. This article was originally published in Batik Air’s inflight magazine in the month of October in 2024
