The Pop Mart Castle at Sun World Bà Nà Hills in Da Nang [Vietnam]

I am not obsessed with blind boxes, and hence, don't understand the crazy hype with labubu when it gained immense popularity after Lisa from Blackpink posted photographs of it.

However, this didn't stop me from gawking at the above when I was at Sun World Ba Na Hills; an official Pop Mart store with a gigantic Skullpanda on the balcony of a stone castle!

Frankly, it wasn't there when I paid my first visit to Sun World Ba Na Hills back in 2024! Turned out it was opened in May, whereas my visit then was in March.

Anyway, while I am not a fan of blind boxes, Pop Mart merchandise, I am still open to checking it out, especially when it's housed in a not-your-typical brick and mortar retail shop! 

Showpiece for Pop Mart at Ba Na Hills would be the above larger than life statue of Hirono; a character in the pop mart universe well-known for his side-eye expression and counts Jovyn as one of his fans! 

Another key highlight would be the impressive spiral staircase ascending up, running alongside the inner perimeter of the castle. There's a name for such staircase; the helical staircase! 

More photographs, including the dark looking chandelier that could have done with more lights, and the round ceiling that had windows bringing in more lights in the day time. 

While many such places do not allow visitors to climb up the staircase, it is not the case here! And you would find photo-spots to make the climb less boring.

Including a screen that felt so much like the ones at Hogwarts Castle where the paintings were animated! In the above case, it was the character called Molly, and modelled after a famous painting; the girl with a pearl earring.

Coming to a balcony where a statue of a pair of dancing angels was held in embrace. Well, not the balcony with the Skullpanda. 

The right balcony! Don't you think Skullpanda looks like a queen, overlooking the parade square, as if she would be addressing the masses shortly. 

Not that anyone was listening anyway. 

It was pouting for the lack of attention! Actually, I am more puzzled as to why this specific character is called Skullpanda as she doesn't look like a panda! Explanation: she "wears a signature skull-shaped helmet or headpiece, and sports twin spherical braids that resemble panda". Ha? What the?

Whatever the case, here's the embracing angels right below. I don't get it. This is a Pop Mart store; get some pop mart characters please! 

There was another retail section on the upper level! So, don't get concentrate on the first floor when you get to see more on the upper levels, and be able to pretend to be a monarch overlooking his/her empire at the balcony.

Much less crowded here than on the lower floor.

Like the other Pop Mart stores around the world, characters were on display to captivate and entice you to make a purchase. It was tempting alright, even for someone who is not into blind boxes. 

There's even a Barbie doll spinoff!

Guess it is a legit collaboration with Mattel.

The temptations! To be fair, it's not that I don't like the concept of blind boxes or hate the characters from Pop Mart. Rather, I don't really like to collect things to be displayed when I am already facing space constraints with my collection of piggy banks! 

Some, even if you want, are already sold out.

Like the set above, which were for display only.

Got this whole set for Jovyn for her birthday present! All twelve designs! According to my credit card statement, the entire box cost 3,360,000 vietnamese dong, about S$165.00.

Spoilt for choices? Take a look at the above poster. Customers can buy a max of just two sets; so I am guessing it must be really popular. Thankfully, Jovyn isn't into Labubu.

Time to leave before my wallet bleeds further.

=====

Address

Sun World Ba Na Hills,

Da Nang, Vietnam

Instagram Page

https://www.instagram.com/popmartvn

Night Time at Sun World Bà Nà Hills in Da Nang [Vietnam]

What happens when the sun sets at Sun World Ba Na Hills? For many day-trippers to the popular attraction at Da Nang City, it's a question they would not find the answer too.

I have the answers as I took the opportunity of this second visit, to stay at the only hotel located at Sun World Ba Na Hills; Mercure Danang within the French Village of Bana Hills! 

Without the massive crowd that descends every day in the daytime, night time at Ba Na Hills was a lot more muted, and peaceful, where hotel residents literally had the whole place to themselves.

Photo-taking was a breeze! Add on the cooler highlands temperatures, and you can imagine why we count our 2-night stay at Ba Na Hills to be incredibly memorable, and a strong recommendation for visitors to consider an overnight stay, instead of just a day trip.

The magic of French Village activated when the sky turned dark and the illumination amplified its enchanting draw for those into medieval fairy tales. A parade of fairytale characters would have made the experience immersive, and even more magical.

In many theme parks, buildings play host to rides with likely a long line of space for queuing or for F&B and retail; with many others that were simply decorative props for phototaking.

Not for the Saint Denis Church! 

The insides felt like a real church! 

Designed in the gothic style, the cathedral had a look that seemed to go back centuries ago, with a high ceiling punctuated with stained glass windows that were so pretty!

Lack of people could make the place appeared eerie but some people, it could also the rare opportunity for a romantic atmosphere, like walking with your loved ones in a well-preserved ancient French village, flushed with cobblestone flooring.

Befitting statues from the medieval era, they could also look quite frightening, like the jester one. In a quiet, empty night, you might get the illusion that the eyes of it would be following you. Joking!

The above entrance would be the first point of contact for any hotel guests of Mercure Danang since it is the place where you can officially check in, and secure the location of the room allocated for you. 

Totally didn't notice the stained glass lamp at the entrance of Hotel De Strasbourg, where our room was, until nightfall. It's so mesmerizing! 

Impressive Helios Waterfall, a cascading water fountain with "43 sculptures made of 8 tonnes of yellow bronze". Highlight would be the Sun God on carriage pulled by five majestic golden horses! 

With the reduced customer load, it's obvious that many F&B establishments would be closed at night, although a limited few would remain open to cater to hotel guests.

It included lotteria fast food restaurant, bar, restaurant that served ala-carte or even buffets. We weren't too hungry but something else was on our mind; craft beer to warm our body! 

Recommendation; go for the open air beer garden right next to beer plaza! With more human souls, the atmosphere was livelier with Vietnamese music and you can also opt for food like barbecued meats, sausages to go with your drink!

Shiok max! 

And very cheap draft beer! 

=====

Address

French Village,

Sun World Ba Na Hills,

Da Nang, Vietnam