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Vietnam’s Golden Bridge, which is also referred to as the Giant Hand Bridge or “Cau Vang” in Vietnamese, has become a top tourist attraction since its opening in June 2018. It quickly made Time’s 2018 list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places and travelers from all over the world have flocked to it since. After seeing Golden Bridge for myself, it’s easy to understand why. The bridge is beautiful and offers breathtaking views of the forest below. Continue reading to find everything you need to know before visiting Golden Bridge in Vietnam.
What Is Golden Bridge?
Golden Bridge in Vietnam is often described as a walkway in the sky. The pedestrian bridge sits high up in the mountains of Ba Na Hills at roughly 1000 m (3,280 ft) above sea level. The unique structure is a shimmering golden walkway that appears to be supported by two giant hands. The two hands are said to be those of God lifting the bridge toward the heavens.
The bridge appears old and weathered but don’t be fooled by its antique look. The bridge is newly constructed and is actually made of fiberglass, mesh, and stainless steel. The stretch of walkway is 150 m long (492 ft) and offers an incredible scenic overlook. It gives visitors the feeling of walking among the clouds.
Where is Golden Bridge Located?
Golden Bridge is located in the mountains of central Vietnam, just west of the city of Da Nang. Ba Na Hills became a popular getaway during the French colonial occupation of Vietnam. Today it’s home to a resort and Vietnam’s most popular amusement park, Sun World Ba Na Hills. Golden Bridge is located within the amusement park and the only way to access it is by cable car.
The bridge is directly outside of the main park area and was designed to connect the park’s cable car stations to its gardens. Sun World’s cable cars hold multiple Guinness World Records. One of those is the longest non-stop single-track cable car, at a length of 5,801 m (19,032 ft). The cable car also travels at incredible heights. The station is located at an elevation of 1,485 m (4,872 ft). If you have a fear of heights, you may want to rethink a visit to Golden Bridge.
How to Get to Golden Bridge in Vietnam
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is the closest airport to Golden Bridge in Vietnam. Ba Na Hills is located 35 km (22 mi) from the city of Da Nang and it takes about 45 minutes to drive from the Da Nang airport to Golden Bridge. From Da Nang, visitors will need to find transportation to Sun World. Options include hiring a private car or taxi, joining a group/private tour, or taking a shuttle from the city center. I chose to hire a taxi. The round trip cost from Da Nang, including two hours of wait time, was 700,000 VND ($30 USD).
Many people choose to base themselves in the popular city of Hoi An. Hoi An is about an hour south of Da Nang International Airport. Hoi An is a small town but in my opinion, has more to offer than Da Nang. Golden Bridge can be done as a day trip from Hoi An or visited en route to/from the airport. Golden Bridge is about a two-hour drive from Hoi An.
Upon reaching Sun World, you will want to be dropped off at the ticket booth. From there, it’s a short walk to the cable cars. Look for signs directing you to the Ga Hoi An car. There are multiple cars and it can be somewhat confusing, so don’t be afraid to ask. It will take about fifteen minutes to reach Golden Bridge from the cable car station.
Where to Stay Near Golden Bridge
Grandvrio City Danang
Grandvrio City Danang is a great option for a night or two in Da Nang. It’s located near the city center and is within walking distance of cafes and restaurants. The accommodations are clean, simple, and relatively inexpensive. The hotel staff is also very friendly and helpful.
Hotel Royal Hoi An
Hotel Royal Hoi An is a favorite of mine. It’s perfect if you’re basing yourself in Hoi An. The luxurious hotel has river views and is just a short walk to Hoi An ancient town. Hotel Royal has two beautiful pool areas, a cafe, and a restaurant on-site. The Sofitel-owned hotel would probably be very expensive in many countries but is actually pretty reasonably priced in Vietnam.
Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills
Mercure Danang French Village is a French replica village done in a Neo-gothic style. The village is part of Sun World and is situated in the mountains of Ba Na Hills. Cable cars are taken to reach the hotel and it can be a fun experience if you want to spend some time at the amusement park. It’s also a great option if you want to be the first to arrive at Golden Bridge in the morning. It is, however, somewhat overpriced in my opinion.
Best Time to Visit Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge is a popular tourist attraction and can get extremely crowded, especially during the high season. The high season in Vietnam is considered the spring months of March through May and the fall months of September to November. During the high season, the best time of day to visit the Golden Bridge in Vietnam is early morning. Fewer crowds are present during the humid and often rainy months of the off-season.
I suggest arriving as soon as it opens to avoid the large crowds. The first cable car starts running at 7 am and the ticket office usually opens a few minutes before. Early morning is also a great time because you can watch the mist roll away from the hills. During the rainy season, the best time to visit is late afternoon. This is because the morning fog is often heavy and lingers. You won’t be able to enjoy the mountain views. Arrive about an hour before sunset when many people are beginning to leave the park.
How Much Does Golden Bridge Cost?
The price to visit Golden Bridge is 750,000 VND ($32 USD). It is included in the admission ticket to Sun World and there is no separate ticket available for the bridge. The ticket covers everything: the bridge, cable car, and access to the park. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter the day of; however, I recommend purchasing in advance to save yourself some time.
Golden Bridge is located en route to the amusement park area so if you’re on a time restraint or just aren’t interested in the amusement park, you can take the cable car to the bridge and then go back down. If you decide to make a day of it and spend time at the park, attractions at Sun World include a French village, roller coasters, a wax museum, an arcade, and flower gardens.
It’s not difficult to see why Golden Bridge in Vietnam has quickly earned a place on the bucket list of many. The incredible giant hand bridge is truly unique.
Have you visited Golden Bridge in Vietnam? I’d love to hear about your experience. If you’ve enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Are you visiting nearby Hoi An? Continue to my post, “Seven Fun Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam“.
Joy Sheehan says
I keep seeing amazing photos of this bridge and I’d love to go check it out! Such an awesome artist must’ve created this!
Meghan says
Yea!It was pretty incredible. I definitely recommend checking it out.
Cate says
those stone hands are breathtaking! i’d love to visit sooner or later (:
Cate ღ 35mm in Style
Meghan says
Definitely put it on the bucket list. It was incredible!
Kristen says
I’ve been seeing pictures of this bridge but had no idea how to get to it. Thanks for the tips.Vietnam is on my list this year and I’ll definitely be headed here!
Kristen | kristenabroad.com
Meghan says
Vietnam has been one of my favorite countries to date. Definitely go if you get the chance!
Eimear Baxter says
Hi! Not great with heights and wondering how long the cable car takes?! Getting nervous just looking at it lol
Meghan says
Hi! I would say about 15 minutes. :)