Fodor's Expert Review Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge

A former French hill station left abandoned until after the war, Ba Na is a local favorite, nicknamed "Da Lat in Danang." Accessible via the world's longest single-track cable car (5,801 meters), traversing above jungle and waterfalls, Ba Na presents remarkable panoramic views of the East Sea. At the top is a kitsch, fairground-themed park with a roller coaster, bumper cars, and a very entertaining wax museum—all popular with kids. Also nestled 1,400 meters above sea level is the Golden Bridge, an iconic architectural wonder that has made headlines since it opened in 2018. The bridge, which appears to be held by two giant concrete hands, spans nearly 150 meters long and leads to the La Jardin D’Amour Gardens, another must-visit spot. When you’re done taking in the beauty from the top, take the smaller cable car down to the second, more spiritual level where you can either take a funicular or hike up the mountain to visit the temples and pagodas that line the route. If you have the energy, climb the 17-story tower inside the statue of Buddha Guanyin—the largest in the country at 67 by 35 meters (the equivalent of a 30-story building). The site to save until last is tucked away behind the Shakamuni Buddha statue: the Debay Wine Cellar, which was tunneled into the mountain in the 1920s by the former French residents. Inside is a large fully stocked bar and the chance to do a little wine tasting.