Ba Na Hills

The basics

You can ride the Ba Na Cable Car up to the theme park, where you can explore and stay overnight in the European-style resort, tour the French gardens, and visit a wine cellar. Tours typically depart from Da Nang or Hoi An, and while some just cover transfers, other packages include admission tickets, a buffet lunch, and round-trip cable car rides. Early morning tours let you capture crowd-free photos on the famous Golden Bridge, a social media staple propped up by massive stone hands.

Things to know before you go

• Cable car tickets are not the same as entrance tickets—you’ll need both to get around.

• Come early in the day to avoid lines at attractions.

• Food and drink are available on-site, but it’s never a bad idea to bring water and snacks.

• Check the weather forecast before you go; it can get cold and wet on the mountaintop, so come prepared with a waterproof.

How to get there

Most visitors reach Ba Na Hills from nearby Da Nang, a 40-minute drive by car. If you don’t have your own wheels, you could take a bus or taxi, hire a private driver, or book a tour that includes transport. Once you’re at the entrance, all visitors ride the cable car to get to the top (ticket required).

When to get there

Ba Na Hills is open year-round. The busy season typically correlates with the dry season, which tends to run from November to April; if you’re visiting during this window, come early to avoid long lines at the most popular attractions. Outside this window, just check the weather forecast and bring a raincoat.

Literature-inspired fun

While the adults might head to Ba Na Hills for the pagodas, wine cellar, and epic mountain views, kids have their own set of playgrounds to choose from, too. They may want to ride the Alpine Coaster or scope out Fantasy Park, where attractions leap from the pages of Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.