Golden Bridge & Ba Na Hills Day Tour from Chan May Port

Summary

Full-Day Shore Excursion: Golden Bridge, Cable Car & Ba Na Hills

You’ll ride Vietnam’s famous cable car through misty forests, walk across the iconic Golden Bridge held by giant hands, explore French colonial cellars and pagodas, and enjoy local food—all in one easy day from Chan May Port. Perfect if you want big sights without any hassle.

What’s the experience like?

The air felt cool and a bit misty as we stepped off the ship at Chan May Port—honestly, I was glad I’d brought a light jacket. Our guide, Minh, greeted us with a grin and a bottle of water (much needed). The drive to Ba Na Hills took just over an hour; we passed rice paddies and caught glimpses of locals on scooters zipping by. If you’re into people-watching, sit by the window.

The cable car ride up is something else—longest single-wire system in the world, Minh said. You’ll hear the soft hum of the cables overhead and see thick forest below, sometimes hidden by low clouds. At Station 2, we hopped out and followed Minh straight to the Debay Wine Cellar. It’s chilly inside and smells faintly of old oak barrels—built back in 1923 when the French were here.

But let’s be real: everyone’s here for that Golden Bridge. The giant stone hands look even bigger up close than in photos. We snapped pictures while a breeze tugged at my hat—hold onto yours! There’s usually a small crowd but plenty of space to wander and take it all in. Afterward, we wandered over to Linh Ung Pagoda; you can’t miss the huge Buddha statue (27 meters tall!). Incense drifts through the air, and you might hear monks chanting softly if you’re lucky.

Lunch was at a local restaurant—buffet style, lots of Vietnamese dishes plus some Western options for picky eaters. After eating way too much sticky rice, we took a short rest before heading up to Chua Mountain’s peak (1487 meters above sea level). The view? On clear days you can see all the way to Da Nang city. We finished with some games at Fantasy Park (kids loved it), then caught the cable car down around 2pm. Back at port by late afternoon—just enough time for one last iced coffee before boarding.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ba Na Hills Highlights

• Visit Golden Bridge (Hands of God)
• See French Village, Wine Cellar, Buddha Statue

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Absolutely—it’s family-friendly and wheelchair accessible. There are ramps everywhere and even strollers for little ones.

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

It’s about 1–1.5 hours each way by private car, depending on traffic.

What should I wear or bring?

A light jacket (it gets cool up high), comfy shoes for walking, sunblock, and maybe a hat—the wind can pick up on the bridge!

What’s included

Your own private transport from port to Ba Na Hills and back; entrance tickets; bottled water; lunch at a local restaurant; friendly English-speaking guide who knows all the shortcuts and photo spots.