Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge tour from Chan May port with guide

Summary

Ride the Ba Na cable car see Golden Bridge from Chan May port

You’ll walk above clouds on the famous Golden Bridge, ride Southeast Asia’s longest cable car through misty hills, explore gardens and pagodas with a local guide, and enjoy a Vietnamese buffet lunch before heading back to your ship — probably still thinking about those giant hands holding you up.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so small standing under those giant stone hands on the Golden Bridge — it’s one of those places you see in photos and think, “Yeah, that can’t be real.” But there I was, early morning mist still clinging to the hills around Ba Na, and our guide (her name was Hien) grinning at my wide-eyed stare. She’d met us right at Chan May port — actually inside the gates, which saved a lot of confusion — holding a sign with my name. I appreciated that more than I thought I would.

The drive up to Ba Na Hills took about an hour or so, winding past rice paddies and little roadside shrines. Hien pointed out a farmer drying chili peppers on a blue tarp — she said it’s how her grandmother used to do it too. The cable car ride itself was… well, long (they say it’s the longest in Southeast Asia), but honestly kind of peaceful. You could hear birds and sometimes just the hum of cables overhead. My daughter pressed her face to the glass for most of it; I tried not to think about heights.

We wandered through these themed gardens (nine of them — I lost count after the third), poked our heads into an old wine cellar that smelled like damp wood and something sweetly sour. There were monks lighting incense at Linh Ung Pagoda, their orange robes bright against all that grey stone. The French Village was busy but not overwhelming; Hien steered us away from the crowds for a bit so we could actually hear some street music echoing off the fake chateaux walls. Lunch was a buffet — lots of choices but I mostly remember this peppery beef stew and some sticky rice cakes. Oh, and there’s a free tube slide ride that my wife convinced me to try (I screamed louder than any kid there).

The main keyword here is day trip Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge — but honestly what sticks isn’t just ticking off sights. It’s little things: Hien laughing when I tried to pronounce “Ba Na” properly (I still can’t), or watching clouds roll over the mountains while sipping tea in a quiet corner away from all the selfie sticks. We made it back to our ship with time to spare — tired in that good way where your feet ache but your head feels full.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Chan May port to Ba Na Hills tour

• Meet guide at Chan May port entrance
• Transfer to Ba Na Hills (1h 10m)
• Ride modern cable car to mountain top
• Take climbing train to explore gardens and pagoda
• Take second cable car to French Village
• Visit French Village attractions and street music
• See Golden Bridge and watch carnival show
• Enjoy free ride on Slide of Tube Car
• Have buffet lunch at restaurant
• Explore Fantasy Park and various rides
• Return to ship one hour before departure

Top questions

How long does it take from Chan May port to Ba Na Hills?

About 1 hour and 10 minutes by car each way.

Is pickup included at Chan May cruise port?

Yes, pickup is inside the port gate with your name on a sign.

What attractions are included at Ba Na Hills?

Cable car rides, Golden Bridge, French Village, gardens, pagoda visits, Fantasy Park games.

Is lunch provided during this tour?

Yes, buffet lunch at a restaurant is included.

Are tickets for cable cars included?

Yes, return cable car tickets are part of your tour package.

Is this tour suitable for families?

Yes, but travelers should have moderate fitness; infants must sit on laps or use infant seats.

Will we have an English-speaking guide?

Yes, fluent English-speaking guides are available; other languages on request.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup right inside Chan May port gates by your local guide and driver, round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees including return cable car tickets for Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge access, bottled water and tissues along the way, plus a buffet lunch before heading back comfortably ahead of your ship’s departure time.