Entree Kibbles: Cable Car Rides @ Sun World Ba Na Hill [Da Nang, Vietnam]

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Cable Car Rides @ Sun World Ba Na Hill [Da Nang, Vietnam]

I actually don't see much about a cable car system; to me, it's a network of convenience nodes bringing me from one place to another, similar to a train station, albeit above ground.

But this particular one at Sun World Bana Hills in Da Nang is a holder of four Guinness World Records! The "longest single-rope cable car in the world", the "highest difference between departure and arrival stations in the world", the "world’s longest unextended cable" and the "world’s heaviest cable coil"!

My journey started from Hoi An station of the Hoi An - Marseille route, located at the foot of Ba Na Hills. And you know what's the most famous thing about Hoi An?

Their lanterns, which adorned the ceiling!

Above scene was purposely rotated 180 degrees so that you can enjoy the 'actual view' of the Thu Bồn River at Hoi An, although it would have been more representative to replace the "flowers" with water lanterns.

We didn't have to wait long for the cabin! There were a few cabins deployed in Sun World Bana Hills, ranging in capacity from eight to 25 persons!

Obscured from our view was the Thác An Bình Waterfall as the stream right below us was formed as a result of the waterfall. Did you spot something strange?

There were a few more routes alongside ours! In actual fact, there were three other routes from the foot of Bana Hills. Suoi Mo – Ba Na route, Champa – Taiga route and Toc Tien Waterfall – L’Indochine route. I shall be taking the Toc Tien Waterfall – L’Indochine route in my upcoming trip as we would be staying two nights at Sun World Bana Hills!

Our route up! Built by Doppelmayr Group, a cable car manufacturer that was established in 1893, the entire cable car system at Bana Hills cost nearly 300 billion Vietnamese dong and took about 400 days to complete.

Scenery ahead of us. At least we saw more than what I did at Sapa! The distance from Hoi An station to Marseille station was slightly more than five kilometers, and I believe would be the record for the "longest single-rope cable car in the world" at 5,771.61 meters.

This massive stone that loomed in front of us was impressive! I half expected climbers attempting a climb up its apparently smooth looking surface!

Kind of reminded me of what I saw at Hallasan in Jeju!

Let's criss cross the numerous hills as we navigated the "the highest difference between departure and arrival stations in the world" at 1,368.93 meters; not that I noted it. Well, the ears did pop.

Reaching almost the final tranche of the cable car journey, at least for this route. The thing that appeared high up was the icon that every visitor was looking forward to visit. Want to guess what that would be?

Gigantic hands holding the breathtaking Golden Bridge.

While everyone was gawking at the bridge, I chose to focus on what's beneath us. It was said that building the cable car system was an arduous task, given the terrain and the weather. There was a working, winding road although I don't think it's open to the general public.

Arrival at Marseille station.

Our sweet tour guide, Mee, is a young lady at 20 years old but she knew her stuff; let's leave Golden Bridge to afternoon as there's usually too many people in the mornings. And she's right.

Hence, let's depart from another cable car station, Bordeaux, to the top of Ba Na Hills! There are two additional cable car routes that are mid-hill till hilltop and this would be one of them.

Cloud thickened and many things were hidden behind. It did add to the mystery of the place since I didn't know what to expect also, given that I didn't quite research much. My main aim, like many tourists, was the Golden Bridge.

There were things that captivated me; like the massive statue of a man and woman about to kiss, the staircase with turns and surrounded with flowers, similar to Lombard Street in San Francisco, California!

Trust, it got even more interesting once you get out of the cable car at Louvre station, at an elevation of 1,500 meters! However, do note that the buildings and structures were all modern and there's nothing historical.

After enjoying Fantasy Park, French Village, Spiritual Zone, a ride of the Alpine Coaster and lunch at Brasserie Restaurant, it's time to take the cable car again.

Clouds had cleared and here's a better picture of Lombard Street lookalike.

This green building caught my attention earlier on my way up. It's like a staff dormitory in the middle of nowhere. Should be quite scary at night.

Frankly, after a while, it was just views of tree-covered hills and clouds; nothing much that I am particularly interested in since the excitement already built up on our way up earlier in the morning.

Da Nang City right in front! When it comes to cables car rides, I am more fearful than excited since I am scared of heights, especially after reading that the earthquake at Myanmar yesterday affected both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh as well! I guess Da Nang too??