The History of Ba Na Hills: A Brief Overview
While everyone knows the stunning Golden Hand Bridge and the beautiful French Village at Ba Na Hills, very few people know that Ba Na Hills has a story that is as stunning as its views! From the French explorer to the modern-day glow up. Being a local, and hearing many of the stories from my grandparents and exploring every inch of Ba Na Hills, I am excited to share The History of Ba Na Hills: A Brief Overview! So, here we go: join VIET DOVE Travel as we walk you through the interesting past of Ba Na Hills for your next Ba Na Hills tour from Hoi An or Danang!
French Discovery and the Name Ba Na Hills
Imagine it, it is 1858, and the French have just landed in Vietnam. If you are from Europe, you probably know what happens next. They were shocked by the hot, humid tropical heat of Central Vietnam! Nine months of Summer? That's why they wanted to find some places with cool weather. Of course, that should be mountains. Then, Captain Debay, the French explorer who discovered Ba Na Hills at a cool, high altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level in 1901.
Why Ba Na? Well, Captain Debay saw plenty of banana trees on the mountain! So, he thought to himself, "That is the name"! Talk about a simple, effective naming process. I love to imagine him eating a banana when he named the mountain Ba Na Hills. It is the type of tale that made my Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge tour from Da Nang feel special, and almost historical!
Ba Na Hills: The Biggest Resort in Indochina
Once Captain Debay discovered Ba Na Hills, the French fell in love with the crisp and clean air. By 1923, they had built the largest resort in Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia). The resort was a big deal, but getting there would not have been easy. My grandpa would tell me the journey from Da Nang took two days by horseback to reach this mountain paradise; can you imagine? Two days! I am tired just thinking about it.
In those times, the French were sipping on nice wines while taking in romantic views with a cool breeze, in what appeared to be a magical escape for them. If you are coming to Da Nang and taking a Full-day Ba Na Hills luxury tour and visiting the Golden Bridge, you will get a taste of those dreamy feelings - without the two days of horseback riding, thank goodness!
Ba Na Hills: From Forgotten Ruins to a Stunning Comeback
Once the French left Vietnam in 1954, Ba Na Hills became a target and suffered greatly during the war. By the end of the war, it was in ruins, and a lot of people's hopes were broken, and their beliefs were smashed. I can remember my grandpa telling me that the resort became a completely lost concept; as he was describing it, it came off like a ghost town, a little scary, I think?
In 2006, Sun World, a Vietnamese company, stepped in to bring Ba Na Hills to a new life. They built world record-breaking cable cars, created the Golden Hand Bridge, and recreated an interesting French Village, and more. Now, Ba Na Hills are well known across the globe. Instead of the two-day journey by horseback, you can ride up the mountain in a cable car in only 15 minutes!
Conclusion: The Magic of Ba Na Hills
Ba Na Hills has had quite a journey, from a banana-loving French captain's discovery, to a war-ravaged ruin, to a top-tier tourism destination. Hearing my Grandpa's stories about the History of Ba Na Hills and experiencing it myself truly makes it feel magical; the combination of rich history with modern attractions. Whether it is a Best small group Ba Na Hills tour from Da Nang or Hoi An, you will be in for a treat.
If you want to explore this fairy-tale-like destination without the hassle. VIET DOVE Travel puts together premium experiences specifically for travelers. Let us worry about all the details for your Private car from Da Nang to Bana Hills. Book your tour online now and let us take you on your best journey to Ba Na Hills.
Happy travels,
Your Fun Vietnam Travel Insider
