The Golden Bridge of Da Nang – How to Visit the Top Attraction at Ba Na Hills

The Golden Hand Bridge is Ba Na Hills Amusement Park’s latest tourist attraction in Da Nang. Almost immediately after opening in June 2018 it has gone viral worldwide. You have probably seen it pop up in your newsfeed many times already, especially while travelling in Vietnam. Thanks to social media, the Golden Bridge has made it on to everyone’s bucket list and it is easy to see why!

The Golden Bridge’s design makes you feel like you are taking a stroll in the clouds, across the hands of gods. It is this uniqueness that attracts everyone’s imagination. However, on a busy day you could actually be walking on the clouds with thousands of selfie-stick tourists, trying to record their perfect social media story. And although you cannot blame them – you also want a great photo to remember the Golden Bridge by – you can definitely avoid them. 

Read on, to get the most out of your visit to the Ba Na Hills and enjoy a breezy experience on the Golden Bridge. Hidden knows the best tricks, to get you up there in no time, help you capture some breathtaking photos and experience the rest of what the Ba Na Hills has to offer with surprising ease. 

*Header image by @Pixelpann

Hidden Quick Guide: Golden Hand Bridge in Da Nang

Location: Ba Na Hills – situated approximately 45 km from Hoi An’s city centre

Price: You must purchase a ticket to ride the Ba Na Hills Cable Car to reach the Golden Bridge.  Tickets cost 750,000 VND (33 USD) for adults and 600,000 VND (23 USD) for children (1m – 1.4m in height). Children below 1m are free, but.over 1.4m are considered adults.  

Hours: The park is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m.

Hidden Hint: Be careful not to trust Google on this! It says Da Nang’s Golden Hand Bridge is open 24 hours. But remember you can only visit the Golden Bridge when SunWorld Ba Na Hills is open! 

Where is Da Nang’s Golden Hand Bridge?

Cau Vang, or the “Golden Bridge,” is part of the Sun World Ba Na Hills fantasy amusement park. The only way to access it is by riding Ba Na Hills Cable Car – the world’s longest cable car system. The cable cars all run from Sun World, meaning the only way to get to the Golden Bridge is by buying a ticket to visit Sun World Ba Na Hills. On the positive side, the Ba Na Hills Cable Cars are among the best in the world. Riding them is as good of an experience, if not better than the Golden Bridge itself! 

Getting to the Golden Bridge from Hoi An 

The Ba Na Hills is located just 45 km Northwest of Hoi An. A car or a bike will get you there in an hour. For public transportation or shuttle services allow at least two and a half hours of travel time. For costs and specifics on how to get to the Golden Hand Bridge check our detailed Guide to Ba Na Hills. 

How Much Time Do I Need to Visit the Golden Bridge?  

The Golden Bridge is a half or full day trip from Hoi An, depending on whether or not you choose to visit the rest of the park. Once at Ba Na Hills, the Golden Bridge takes no more than an hour to experience. However, exploring the entire Ba Na Hills amusement park can take an entire day, so plan accordingly.

Where Can I Buy Tickets to Da Nang’s Golden Hand Bridge? 

Purchase tickets either directly at the Ba Na Hill’s ticket counters or online. There are three different tickets available – cable car ride (mandatory), buffet meal (optional) and wax museum (optional). 

The Golden Bridge only requires a cable car ticket. It costs 750,000 VND (33 USD) for adults and 600,000 VND (23 USD) for children (1m – 1.4m in height). Children below 1m are free. Buffet meal tickets cost an additional 250.000 VND (11 USD) for adults and 150,000 VND (7 USD) for children. The wax museum entrance is an additional 100,000 VND (4 USD) for both adults and children. Note that the combo tickets are not essential. There are various dining options at Ba Na Hills and the wax museum ticket can be bought separately.

Hidden Hint: Buy your tickets online. It saves you both time and money. Prices are a little bit cheaper plus you don’t have to wait in long queue lines.

The Best Time to Visit Da Nang’s Golden Hand Bridge

Walking on the Golden Bridge is undoubtedly a breathtaking experience. But it can just as easily be a disappointing one if you get there at the wrong time. Undoubtedly, going there earlier or later than everyone else gives you a competitive advantage and the best experience. 

For morning types, get there as soon as the resort opens at 7:00 a.m. Very few people will be there with you. Plus the early morning golden light makes your peaceful stroll even more atmospheric. 

Hidden’s absolute favourite hour to visit the bridge is around 5:00 p.m. – just before sunset. Surprisingly enough most visitors skip the sunset view, because they are either hungry, tired or have left for home by then. Leaving you with a less crowded bridge, sunset colours, and the most flattering light for your photos!

What to Bring

The Golden Bridge’s high altitude makes it a tricky place to visit when it comes to clothing and accessories. The weather up here changes rapidly and constantly. Spending an entire day at the Ba Na Hills could easily result in you experiencing all four seasons. So, make sure besides sunglasses and sunscreen, to take an extra layer. 

It is not essential to bring any snacks or drinks. There are tons of cafes, restaurants, food stalls and souvenir shops to buy from. But keep in mind that prices are as high as the altitude! 

Why Visit the Golden Bridge?

The Golden Bridge sits over 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) above sea level. Although the bridge itself is quite short (150m / 490ft long), its unique location and design make a stroll here an unforgettable experience. This surreal pedestrian walk extends over the treetops from the edge of a leafy cliff face, offering uninterrupted views of the majestic landscape beneath. 

But the best part of the bridge is not the views per se, but its altitude. Placed that high in the mountains, it offers constant changing weather conditions. In just 20 minutes, it goes from cloudy to sunny, to misty and sunny again. The quieter it is the more in awe you feel. You are practically walking in the clouds! It really is like no other bridge.

Hidden Hint: Don’t get disappointed, if it is too misty or foggy when you arrive. It’s probably just a cloud passing by. Stick around for a few minutes until the sun comes back. 

The Golden Bridge – A Social Media Viral Hit

The Golden Bridge’s uniqueness made it an instant hit. As soon as it opened, images of the photogenic Golden Bridge went viral on social media. Ever since millions of visitors have flocked to Da Nang to experience it in person. Its safe to say that this is one of the most popular places to visit in all of Vietnam. 

The Golden Hand Bridge is all part of a $2 billion effort (investment) to bring more tourists to the country. Vietnam has long sought to boost visitor numbers and position itself as a must-see destination in Southeast Asia. The Golden Hand Bridge in Da Nang seems to be doing the trick – helping the country become one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations on earth!

Where to Take the Best Photos of the Golden Bridge 

There are so many opportunities for great photos on the Golden Bridge. If it is busy then getting the perfect photo will require luck and a little patience. Here are a few different angles to try. 

Hug the inside railing as you enter the bridge from the cable car station. The morning sun will be behind you creating the most flattering light. This is one of the few spots on the Golden Hand Bridge where you can actually capture both hands in one frame. 

On the other side of the Golden Bridge, right by the flower garden. There’s a designated picture spot, but be aware there is usually a long queue of like-minded visitors. Head around the corner (left as you exit the bridge) and down the steps towards the toilets. There is a good vantage point allowing you to show the scale of the bridge.

Hidden Hint: Drones are officially banned from Ba Na Hills but that doesn’t stop a steady stream of aerial shots from appearing on Instagram.

Finally, try shooting from inside the cable car station, right next to the gardens. Although shooting through the glass, it gives you an elevated angle and some great pictures. 

Some of our favourite frames include hand close ups, especially when the weather is misty and atmospheric. Stand close to one of God’s hands and place your camera a little bit lower than eye level. Anyone looking at your picture gets the feeling of actually walking on the Golden Bridge. 

Hidden Hint: Get some inspiration from popular Instagram hashtags: #goldenhandsbridge, #goldenbridge, #goldenbridgevietnam

The Best Route in Da Nang to the Golden Hand Bridge

Which Cable Car Do I Take to the Golden Bridge? 

The cable car system has won four Guinness World Records and been voted one of the ten most impressive cable cars in the world! Prepare for the ride of your life! 

At the moment there are 12 cable stations, five cable lines and a funicular train route to help you navigate through the two different levels of the park. Have a look at the map below for more detail. 

 

The Golden Bridge is located on level one and the fastest way there is by entering the resort from Hoi An Station (05). Get your tickets from the counter and walk through to the impressive entrance gate. Take the escalator up to the next floor and head straight to the cable cars. Staff will point you towards the cable car line with the shortest queue, keep left and ask for the Hoi An Station. Tickets are collected at the cable car stations.

The Golden Bridge can be seen from the cable car as you arrive to the Marseille Station. Exit the station and find the bridge entrance on the right.

Which Cable Car Do I Take to Exit the Ba Na Hills? 

After your visit to the Golden Bridge, we suggest heading to the second level even if you are not interested in visiting the Ba Na Hills amusement park. Go to L’indochine Station (30) and take the long cable car straight to the ground floor. This way, you get to ride the longest cable in the world on your way down (5.801m). But also, if it’s still daylight, there’s a stunning waterfall view from this route. If exploring the Ba Na Hills amusement park, have a look at our detailed Ba Na Hills Cables Car Guide, to make the most out of your visit.

Hidden’s Thoughts 

The Golden Hand Bridge in Da Nang is a great destination for families, Instagram and photography lovers. Basically anyone who enjoys epic views and Guinness World Record cable car rides!

But before you go, prepare for big tourist crowds and long waiting lines. This is not a place to appreciate the serene mountain landscape. It is a popular amusement park aimed to attract as many tourists as possible. And that is exactly what it does, especially during weekends. On a popular day, hundreds of people squeeze on to the 150 metre long Golden Bridge. Instead of taking in the view and showing it off on Instagram, you could be fighting your way through dozens of other tourists trying to do the same. 

Avoid disappointment and follow our lead and visiting tips. So this ‘fantasy world’ Golden Bridge stays in your memory for all the right reasons!