4D3N Da Nang, Hoi An & Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge Tour

Da Nang sits on central Vietnam's coast, with long sandy beaches on one side and green mountains on the other. The French built a hill station at Ba Na in 1919, about 1,500 metres up, to escape the heat. Today a cable car carries you up through the clouds to a hilltop of gardens, a mock French village and the Golden Bridge, a walkway held up by two giant stone hands. Less than an hour down the coast is Hoi An, a trading port whose old wooden houses date back to the 17th century.

The tour fits all of this into four days. Day 2 is a full day at Ba Na Hills, with the cable car, Golden Bridge, the Le Jardin d'Amour gardens, the French Village and the indoor Fantasy Park, all included. Day 3 takes you to the marble carvers of Non Nuoc, then a round basket boat ride through the Bay Mau coconut forest, then the lanes of Hoi An Old Town. The day ends at Da Nang Market and My Khe Beach.

The pace is relaxed, and you stay in the same hotel in Da Nang all three nights. Two shopping stops are compulsory. A tour leader and a local guide take care of everything, and flights are short, with Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia from KLIA.

Quick facts

• Duration: 4 days 3 nights
• Route: Da Nang, Ba Na Hills and Hoi An
• Package type: group tour on fixed departure dates, with a tour leader and a local guide
• Group size: minimum 15 travellers
• Flights: included. Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia economy class from KLIA to Da Nang, depending on the departure
• Hotels: 3-star hotel in Da Nang for 3 nights
• Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners (plus lunch on Day 1 if your flight lands before noon)

Highlights

• The Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, held up by giant stone hands
• The Ba Na Hills cable car, French Village and Fantasy Park, all included
• A basket boat ride in the Bay Mau coconut forest
• Hoi An Old Town
• The Dragon Bridge and Love Lock Bridge in Da Nang
• Free time at My Khe Beach

Itinerary

Day 1: Kuala Lumpur to Da Nang

Meet at KLIA for your flight to Da Nang. Take photos at the Dragon Bridge, Da Nang's best-known landmark, built in the shape of a dragon and lit by thousands of LED lights at night. See the Dragon Carp statue, carved by 30 craftsmen from Non Nuoc, a fountain in the style of Singapore's Merlion beside the river. Then visit the Love Lock Bridge, inspired by the padlock bridges of Paris, Cologne and Rome.

Meals: dinner (and lunch if your flight lands before noon). Overnight: Da Nang.

Day 2: Ba Na Hills

Drive to Ba Na Hills, opened by the French in 1919 as a weekend retreat. At about 1,500 metres above sea level, it stays cool all year. Ride the cable car to the top, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Walk the Golden Bridge, held up by a pair of giant stone hands, one of the most popular sights in Vietnam. Explore Le Jardin d'Amour, a French-style flower garden of 21,000 square metres with more than 1,000 plant species, and the French Village, with buildings, cafés and restaurants in classic French style. Then spend time at Fantasy Park, an indoor theme park on three levels with rides such as a roller coaster, a 360-degree Ferris wheel and rock climbing. On the way back, stop at a bamboo shop selling furniture, kitchenware and souvenirs made from bamboo.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Da Nang.

Day 3: Hoi An and Da Nang

On the way to Hoi An, stop at Non Nuoc Stone Village, where craftsmen carve marble and other stone. Ride a round basket boat along the waterways of the Bay Mau coconut forest, more than 200 years old, and watch the "basket dance" and a net-fishing demonstration.

Walk through Hoi An Old Town, where most buildings follow traditional designs from the 17th century, when Hoi An was one of the biggest trading ports in Southeast Asia. Visit a jewellery shop showing Vietnamese gold, silver and gemstone work.

Back in Da Nang, enjoy free time at Da Nang Market for clothes, local crafts and souvenirs, then at My Khe Beach, where you can paddle, play on the sand and watch the sunset.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Da Nang.

Day 4: Da Nang to Kuala Lumpur

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: breakfast.

What's included

• Return economy class flights, including fuel surcharge and airport taxes
• 3 nights in a 3-star hotel, including city taxes
• Meals as listed in the itinerary
• Ba Na Hills tickets: cable car, Golden Bridge and theme park
• Basket boat ride in Hoi An
• Air-conditioned tour coach
• Tour leader and professional local guide
• Tips for the tour guide and coach driver

Not included

• Tips for the basket boat rowers
• Surcharges during festive seasons, peak periods and school holidays
• Hotel extras such as snacks, mini bar, laundry and porter service
• Meals, drinks and entry tickets not listed in the itinerary
• Excess baggage charges

Good to know

• The shopping stops at the jewellery shop and the bamboo shop are compulsory.
• Guests are encouraged to tip the basket boat rowers.
• Ba Na Hills is cooler than Da Nang. Bring a light jacket.
• Vietnam is one hour behind Malaysia.

FAQ

Do Malaysians need a visa for Vietnam?

No. Malaysian passport holders can visit Vietnam for a short holiday without a visa.

Is the Ba Na Hills cable car included?

Yes. The cable car, the Golden Bridge and the Fantasy Park theme park are included.

Which airline will I fly?

Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia, depending on the departure date. Ask us for the flight details of your date.

Will the tour go ahead on my date?

This group tour needs a minimum of 15 travellers to depart.