Located at an altitude of 1,487 meters, Ba Na Hills is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam. On a busy day, the park can accommodate over 20,000 visitors. Needless to say, it’s easy to lose one’s bearings in the crowd. Getting stuck waiting in the wrong cable car line is clearly not the best experience.
When you know which route to follow, the cable car network and the Ba Na Hills park can be a truly joyful experience. Fortunately for you, I know the way!
In my detailed guide, I explain how to make the most of your visit to Vietnam’s busiest resort. This article focuses on navigating the cable car system.
Ba Na Hills Cable Cars, 4 World Records
The Ba Na Hills cable car has won four world records and has been voted one of the top ten most impressive cable cars in the world. The ride gives you the sensation of floating above the endless jungle of Ba Na Mountain, coupled with a breathtaking view of Da Nang city.
Constructed to European standards using Austrian technology and equipment imported from Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden, this astonishing ride opened to the public on March 29, 2013.
Fundamentally, these cable cars are similar to those found in the Alps. The only difference is that this cable car holds 4 Guinness World Records! This means you are riding the world’s longest cable car journey (5,771 meters), with the longest and heaviest cable reel (11,587 m/141.24 tons) and the highest elevation difference between the departure and destination stations (1,369 meters).
So prepare yourself for a truly unique ride! This is a premium cable car service.
Essential Information
Ba Na Hills Cable Car Prices
- Location: Ba Na Hills – located about 45 km from downtown Hoi An
- Price: 900,000 VND (approximately $33 USD) for adults
– 750,000 VND (about $23 USD) for children (1 to 1.4 m)
– Children over 1.4 m are considered adults.
– Children under 1 m are free. - Hours: The park is open daily from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Duration of Ba Na Hills Cable Car Ride
With the cable car, the travel time to the top of Ba Na Hills is only 20 minutes, compared to 55 minutes by car on the narrow and winding road.
How long does it take to get to Ba Na Hills?
Located about 45 km from downtown Hoi An, it takes a little over 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Ba Na Hills by car or motorcycle. By public bus or shuttle, it can take up to two and a half hours. The cost varies depending on your choice of transportation.
Although it’s a relatively short journey from Hoi An, keep in mind that it takes about 5 to 6 hours to fully explore the Ba Na Hills resort. So, plan accordingly. Ba Na Hills is a full day excursion from Hoi An.
If you are departing from Da Nang, it will take about 30 to 40 minutes to reach the Ba Na Hills park.
The Best Time to Visit Ba Na Hills
The best time to visit Ba Na Hills park is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The park is very crowded between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Therefore, an early start or late visit can give you a definite advantage.
If you are an early riser, try to get there at opening time at 7:30 AM. By doing so, you’ll be among the first visitors to enter the park, enjoying shorter, if not non-existent, queues and a morning view of the mountains. Most importantly, you can take photos of the actual attractions, not just the tourists!
Tickets for the Ba Na Hills Cable Car
Ticketing
Purchase your tickets either directly at the Ba Na Hills ticket counters or online. Three different tickets are available: cable car ride (mandatory), buffet meal (optional – 1,200,000 VND), and wax museum entry (optional).
A ticket grants access to all cable car lines and almost all areas of the Ba Na Hills park. Tickets cost 900,000 VND (approximately €36) for adults and 750,000 VND (approximately €30) for children (1 m to 1.4 m tall). Children under 1 m are admitted free of charge. Entrance to the wax museum costs an additional 100,000 VND (approximately €4) for both adults and children.
Although there are many ticket counters available, there is usually a long queue at the Ba Na Hills ticket counters. Expect to spend some time lining up here. However, to save time in the queue, consider purchasing your tickets online.
Luggage Storage at Ba Na Hills
If you are traveling with large luggage, there is a free luggage storage facility at Ba Na Hills. The storage facility has no size limit and is located to the right of the ticket office. You receive a numbered ticket linked to your luggage, which is stored privately under video surveillance at the ticket office. The luggage storage is open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Parking
If you arrive by car or bus, it is likely that the driver will drop you off near the ticket counter. There are electric carts available to shuttle between the entrance and the parking areas. Alternatively, there is a motorcycle parking area a few minutes’ walk from the ticket counters.
Ba Na Hills Map – Da Nang
Ba Na Hills Cable Car Stations
Currently, there are 4 ground stations from which you can take a cable car to the top of Ba Na Hills. These are:
- Hoi An Station (05)
- Da Nang Station (07)
- Suoi Mo Station (08)
- Toc Tien Station (09)
Each station takes you to a different part of the resort. Take a look at the map below for more details.
Ba Na Hills features a total of 5 different cable lines and a funicular to help you navigate the park. Although it might seem quite complicated at first, the only reason there are more than three routes (one for each ground station) is that the park’s attractions are located on two different levels.
On the lower level, you can find the Golden Bridge, Linh Ung Pagoda, the wine cellar, and various gardens and restaurants. The upper level hosts the rest of the attractions, including the famous French Village, the exciting Fantasy Park
Which Cable Car to Take to the Golden Bridge?
If you want to go directly to the Golden Bridge, take the cable car line from Hoi An Station (05).
Good to know
Be very careful when navigating the park not to use one of the three cable cars (Marseille Station, Ba Na Station, L’Indochine Station) that lead to the ground stations. Unless, of course, you want to leave the park. Once you go down, there is no way to go back up. You will have to buy another ticket!
Suggested Routes: Making the Most of Your Visit
Due to the number of lines and stations available, there are different routes to explore Ba Na Hills. To make the most of your visit and avoid going in circles, I have prepared two suggested itineraries, depending on your arrival time.
1. Golden Bridge in the Morning (7:30 AM – Sunset)
To visit Ba Na Hills amusement park in the morning, I suggest entering the complex from Hoi An Station (05). First, head to the lower level and walk on the Golden Bridge (43) before the crowd arrives! Once you’re done at the Golden Bridge, take the funicular from Le Jardin Station (13) to D’amour Station (12). Finally, take the short cable car ride from Debay Station (11) to Morin Station (29) and the French Village.
When exiting, do not go back through the lower level. Instead, head to L’Indochine Station (30) by taking the long cable car down to the ground floor. This way, you have the opportunity to descend on the world’s longest cable (5,801 m). Also, if it’s still daylight, enjoy the magnificent waterfall that can be seen from this route.
2. Sunset at the Golden Bridge (4:00 PM-9:30 PM)
When visiting Ba Na Hills later, it is probably best to take the cable cars while it is still daylight. This will allow you to enjoy the ride and the surrounding views. I suggest entering the complex from Suoi Mo Station (09) and heading directly to the top. Take a short walk around the French Village or hop on the Alpine Coaster.
Make sure to be at the Louvre Station (21) by taking the cable car to the lower level just before 5:00 PM. This way, you can admire the sunset over the Golden Bridge. There are stunning views and very few tourists at this time! After the sunset, you have more than half an hour of daylight to visit the Buddha statue and the lower gardens.
Finally, at nightfall, return to the upper level and visit Fantasy Park (25). These 21,000 square meters of playful spaces and indoor games for the whole family are guaranteed to bring out the child in you! Exit the park via L’Indochine Station (30), but don’t miss the last cable car down otherwise you might have to book a room at the Mercure Hotel. The departure time of the last cable car changes throughout the year, so check it.
