Ba Na Hills: A Must-Visit Day Trip from Da Nang

Having seen Ba Na Hills—especially the iconic Golden Bridge—in countless Vietnam Instagram reels, we were completely mesmerized. It instantly became the first destination on our itinerary.

However, unlike our other day trips, we didn’t book this one in advance. Due to the floods in Vietnam, our travel plans were uncertain. We also noticed that ticket prices remained stable and didn’t sell out quickly, even for next-day visits. So, we finally booked our tickets just a week before our travel date.

How to Book Ba Na Hills Tickets

The easiest way to book Ba Na Hills tickets is through platforms like Klook, which bundle entry tickets with transportation.

You’ll find multiple options:

• Private cars (flexible and comfortable)
• Shuttle bus tours (budget-friendly)
• Taxi or ride-hailing apps like Grab

We chose to book a local taxi instead of using Grab. For 600,000 VND, the driver agreed to:

• Drop us at Ba Na Hills
• Wait for 6 hours
• Drive us back to the hotel

This helped us avoid the hassle of booking multiple rides.

Weather Concerns: Is Ba Na Hills Worth Visiting in Uncertain Weather?

The weather in Central Vietnam can be unpredictable, and during our stay in Da Nang, it was quite cloudy.

We had watched several recent videos where Ba Na Hills looked foggy, rainy, and unclear. Visitors were wearing raincoats, and visibility was poor—not the experience we had imagined.

The day before our visit, we were genuinely unsure whether to go ahead. Even on the morning of the trip, a hotel staff member mentioned that the previous day had been cloudy with light rain.

Still, we decided to take a leap of faith—and it paid off.

Getting There: Journey to Ba Na Hills

We were picked up at 8 AM, and the drive from Da Nang to Ba Na Hills took about an hour.

After reaching the parking area:

• Shuttle buses take visitors to the main entrance
• Tickets are validated at the entry gate

And then the real experience begins.

To our surprise, the weather turned out to be perfect—sunny with a cool breeze.

Cable Car Ride & First Stop: The Golden Bridge

Ba Na Hills is divided into three main sections, starting with the lower station.

From here, you board one of the world’s longest cable cars, offering breathtaking views of lush mountains and dense forests.

The first stop is the Golden Bridge, the highlight of Ba Na Hills.

This stunning bridge, held up by two giant stone hands, is an architectural marvel and one of the most photographed spots in Vietnam.

Because we arrived early and the weather had been uncertain, the crowd was relatively low. This allowed us to take some amazing photos without much rush.

Nearby attractions include:

• Le Jardin D’Amour flower gardens
• Linh Ung Pagoda

Both are peaceful, scenic, and perfect for photography.

French Village: A European Escape in Vietnam

From the Golden Bridge area, a short cable car ride takes you to the French Village—the heart of Ba Na Hills.

And honestly, it’s built to near perfection.

This area is designed like a medieval European town, featuring:

• Cobblestone streets
• Gothic-style architecture
• Charming old-world buildings

On one side, you’ll find Luna Castle, while the rest of the village spreads beautifully across the hilltop.

There’s also a Pop Mart Castle, which seems especially popular among younger visitors.

Food Options at Ba Na Hills

Ba Na Hills offers a wide range of dining options:

• Quick snacks and beverages
• Cafes and small eateries
• Buffet restaurants

Our ticket included a buffet lunch at the Four Seasons Restaurant.

The spread was quite impressive, with a mix of:

• Traditional Vietnamese dishes
• Asian cuisine
• European options

Final Thoughts: Is Ba Na Hills Worth It?

Ba Na Hills is absolutely a must-visit when in Da Nang.

You can easily spend an entire day here exploring different attractions, enjoying scenic views, and experiencing something completely different from the usual Vietnam landscape.

Despite our initial doubts about the weather, the trip turned out to be one of the highlights of our journey.

“Sometimes the leap makes sense only after you land.”
That line perfectly captures what Hoi An turned out to be for us.

The weather in Central Vietnam had been uncertain for weeks before our planned travel. Da Nang and Hoi An had experienced severe flooding about three weeks earlier, and to make matters worse, it flooded again on the very day we were flying from Mumbai to Vietnam. After spending three days in Hanoi, we were scheduled to head to Hoi An next. News and social media were filled with images and videos of heavy rains and flooded streets.

We reached out to our hotel in Hoi An to understand the ground reality, and their response was calm and reassuring: “Everything will be fine by the time you arrive.” Still, we were unsure. To be safe, we booked a backup hotel in Da Nang, just in case plans needed to change.

Even while boarding our flight from Hanoi to Da Nang, we were in two minds. We knew a decision had to be made. Images of Hoi An—its yellow walls, lantern-lit streets, and riverside charm—kept appearing in our thoughts, urging us to take a leap of faith.

Finally, after landing, we cancelled our Da Nang backup hotel, booked a Grab, and headed straight to Hoi An. Little did we know that the next 24 hours would become the most memorable part of our entire Vietnam trip.

First Impressions: Warm Smiles, Clear Skies, and Resilience

As we arrived in Hoi An, we were welcomed by pleasant weather—sunny skies paired with a cool, refreshing breeze. Our stay was a cozy boutique hotel, and the receptionist greeted us with genuine warmth. She spoke about the recent floods and the challenges locals had faced. Floodwater had risen to over one floor of the hotel, yet the place looked spotless and welcoming again.

That alone spoke volumes about the hard work and resilience of the people of Hoi An, especially their commitment to tourism and hospitality.

Since it was already lunchtime, she recommended a local specialty from Hoi An—and it turned out to be a great introduction to the town’s food scene. After lunch, we set out to explore the Hoi An Ancient Town.

Exploring Hoi An Ancient Town: Lanterns, Lanes, and Cinematic Charm

Walking through the ancient town felt surreal. We passed spots where the Netflix film A Tourist’s Guide to Love was shot, instantly making the experience feel cinematic. The narrow walking lanes, yellow-walled shops, charming cafés, and heritage architecture created a postcard-perfect atmosphere.

Hoi An is truly a shopper’s paradise—from leather goods and lanterns to jewellery, souvenirs, clothes, and handmade items. The town is also famous for its in-house tailoring boutiques, where you can get custom-made clothing stitched in a short time.

As evening approached, the town slowly grew busier. Since Da Nang is just an hour away, it felt like many visitors stayed there and came to Hoi An in the evening, especially for the lantern experience. Across the river, the vibe changed—there were lively pubs, shops, food stalls, and live music creating a festive atmosphere.

As night fell, hundreds of lanterns illuminated the streets and alleys, transforming Hoi An into something straight out of a storybook.

Lanterns on the River: The Magic of Hoi An at Night

As evening deepened, countless boatmen drifted onto the river, their wooden boats adorned with softly glowing lanterns. The sight of the river filled with floating lights was truly one of a kind—quiet, enchanting, and almost unreal. It felt magical, like stepping into a dream.

One can also buy a wish lantern, light it, and gently release it into the river for a cinematic moment of their own.

A Quieter Morning and the Heart of Local Life

The next day, we had half a day in Hoi An before leaving for Da Nang. Breakfast at the hotel was delicious—though there wasn’t as much variety compared to Hanoi. The hotel had likely reopened only a couple of days earlier after the floods and hadn’t yet returned to full operations.

After breakfast, we headed back to the ancient town for some shopping. The town felt noticeably calmer at this hour, likely filled mostly with travelers staying overnight in Hoi An. Locals were busy with their daily routines—cleaning shopfronts, washing streets, and preparing for the evening rush.

Seeing this firsthand, it became clear how Hoi An managed to become functional just days after a flood—the people here are incredibly hardworking and resilient.

We also walked through the local market, where vendors sold vegetables, fruits, seafood, and meat. Somehow, this simple, lively setting reminded us of the charming coastal town from the Korean series “Hometown Cha Cha Cha.”

Leaving with Gratitude—and a Little Regret

By noon, we checked out and began our journey back to Da Nang. As we slowly moved away from the ancient town, we noticed people cycling around and exploring the quieter, extended parts of Hoi An.

Deep down, we wished we had spent one more day here—a small regret lingered. At the same time, we felt incredibly fortunate to have experienced Hoi An’s magic, especially amid so much weather uncertainty.