Vibrant Vietnam (Part 9): Hands on the Hills! - Bana Hills!

- December 30, 2024, Monday.

- The time has finally come for my family to visit the main reason people visit Danang: Sun World Bana Hills! This is where the Golden Bridge can be found, which appears to be held up by two giant hands. Bana Hills as a hilltop resort was conceptualized in 1919 by the French, until it was later developed by Sun World into the resort that is known and loved by all today. It also boasts its cable car system, which is currently the world's longest non-stop system, and recognized by the Guinness World Records. 

- Although accessible from Da Nang's city proper, via a short car ride (taxi or Grab for example), I opted to book a guided tour via Klook for Bana Hills. You see, Bana Hills covers a big area, separated by cable cars and funiculars. To make sure that things go smoothly, especially since my family is with me, I thought being guided in the park was a wise decision. And boy, it really was! Our guide Vinh picked us up early in the morning from our hotel and arrived at Bana Hills just when it opened. Up we went to the Golden Bridge when there were less people. 

At the entrance. It looks like a gate to another dimension!

Long cable car ride.

- Since we went during winter, Bana Hills was foggy all day. My dad wasn't the happiest (he was really looking forward to see the giant hands) but at least we got some decent photos. The most decent we could, at least. The best time to visit Bana Hills is during the summer when it's sunny, though it could be too hot for some. Speaking of photos, I was also told that the best way to ensure that there are less people is to stay at Bana Hills (there is a Mercure Hotel inside the resort) and guests are allowed to visit the Golden Bridge around an hour before it officially opens to outside guests. By the way, it is also good to budget photo time at the Golden Bridge, because it does connect to the numerous gardens in the area. Most appeared French, owing to the resort's history and Vietnam's colonial past.

The fog made everything look mysterious and gray.

Hand.

I can't even see both hands. It's really just one at a time.

French Garden.

- Bana Hills is also home to one of the three Linh Ung temples in Da Nang. "Linh Ung" means "what the heart/soul wants"; those who pray to the Buddhas in the temple may get what they wish for. For the Vietnamese who built temples especially in Da Nang, it was to stop natural calamities from happening such as storms and floods as the city is coastal. This one in Bana Hills was built in 2004.

Linh Ung Temple.

It felt so peaceful being there.

Former gate, which was used when the cable cars weren't installed yet.

Temple interior.

Lady Buddha.

Was so happy when I saw this giant peacock.

The gardens would look nicer without the fog huhu.

- We later paid a visit to the large Pop Mart store at the French Village, had lunch, walked around the French Village more. Later on we went to the German-themed restaurant where they made us taste beer (something my sister was interested in).     

This building has now become a Pop Mart.

I seriously don't understand collector's items toys. But to each their own I guess.

French Village. Fog slightly cleared for like a second.

Buffet for lunch. I'm happy Vinh's timing was impeccable; he wanted us to get there a bit earlier so we'd eat first and get to choose our food with a lot of elbow room. Minutes later the whole restaurant was filled up by tourists.

The Louvre Museum's Asian cousin. Hahahaha.

Now this was honestly scary at first glands - in the fog.

I saw how nice this looks like from photos and brochures, and here it just looks like a haunted house.

Helios Waterfall.

Brewery and restaurant.

More of the French village. By the way, I was wearing my most western-looking aodai.

Bonjourrrr!!

- I later visited Bana Hill's spiritual complex. It has the Linh Phong Monastery, the Linh Tu Pagoda, the belfry, among other structures and areas of worship. These were also some of the earlier establishments in the Bana Hills resort for tourism (and religious) purposes.

On the way to the spiritual zone.

It was difficult to find a moment to myself as there were lots of tourists.

Linh Phong Stupa (and some new friends.)

Linh Phong Monastery.

Linh Tu Pagoda.

Belfry (bell from below.)

The big bell.

- Our tour ended around 4pm, and got back to the city not long after. That evening we chose to have dinner at one of the well-known seafood restaurants in Da Nang, My Hanh Seafood Restaurant. It has a wide variety of fresh seafood including king crabs (which I was after, honestly). The restaurant is also located by Da Nang's main shoreline, My Khe Beach.

Waterfalls at Bana Hills, as seen from the cable car.

Cable cars.

Back at the city, saw a stage built at the end of the road as preparation for the New Year countdown program.

Here we are!

Took a walk along the sidewalk by My Khe Beach while waiting for our food to be cooked.

My Khe Beach at night.

Saw this small temple at the sidewalk.

Temple facade.

Half of the king crab, we had the other half cooked another way (half is steamed, the other half with garlic butter). 

- Our day at Bana Hills was filled with surprises as we only expected to visit the Golden Bridge and the French Village. However, Bana Hills is a work in progress and more attractions will open in the coming months (or years). Maybe next time, I'll decide to go to Danang during the warmer months to avoid the fog. It was a pleasant experience still, at least! 

**** Check out my other adventures from this Vietnam trip:

Part 1 - Icons of Saigon: here

Part 2 - Cu Chi Tunnels and Evening Food Tour: here

Part 3 - Mekong Delta: here

Part 4 - French Influences in Saigon: here

Part 5 - Hoi An Must Sees: here

Part 6 - Hoi An Coconut Boat and Hoi An Impression: here

Part 7 - Da Nang: here

Part 8 - Hue: here

Part 10 - Marble Mountains and My Son: here