Don’t Visit Bà Nà Hills, Vietnam

Clickbait title, for sure. 😀

Millions of tourists each year ignore my advice.

Sun World Ba Na Hills is a hill station and resort located just outside Da Nang.

The BIG attraction is the Golden Bridge opened 2018.

You’ve seen it on Instagram looking like this.

The reality is that the bridge is constantly packed with hordes, many of whom would happily throw you off in order to get the ideal photo location. To them I say …

I DID throw some competitors over the edge to get my own iconic pic.

Best advice is to go to one of the less crowded Golden Bridge imitators in the Philippines, China, or elsewhere. 😀

I got mine already. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

In fact, I found more hands in the resort. Since I was alone, I’m assuming this area was not open to tourists. Oh well.

Criticism of Ba Na Hills, referred to by some as “Fairyland,” centers on it being an inauthentic, overcrowded, and overly commercialized theme park, with visitors finding the environment fake, the food uninspired, and the Golden Bridge experience ruined by throngs of people.

At one point I concluded, this is what TrumpLand would look like, if a theme park. 😀

Of course if Vegas kitsch amuses, you’ll have some laughs.


The super popular tour from Da Nang starts with a visit to a gift shop en route. What else?

Surprisingly, I quite enjoyed learning about pearls and precious woods.

You take a cable car up to the mountain peak. It’s the  “longest non-stop single track cable car“, at 5,801 metres. In fact, this attraction has 6 cable cars now. They need more.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here’s how it looks now.

The concept is mocking up European-style architecture.

BUT I found the hundreds of pieces included quite random.

There are TWO giant floral dresses that you can try on.

I WAS impressed with the Sun Kraft Beer factory tour.

BUT I had to sit through some below average dance and terrible live music in order to collect my free french fries. 😀

Giant Buddha. Check.

And I was intrigued with whatever this is …

Unsurprisingly, the cable cars stopped running just before close due to potential lightning. Staff and tens of thousands of visitors were stuck.

We did get down eventually. A beautiful full moon night.

no photo editing

BUT I missed my night bus to whereverI’mgoingnext.

If you too want to NOT listen to my advice, here’s their promotion VIDEO.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

My AURA Smart Bike Helmet by UNIT 1

Overall, I’m very happy with my Aura Helmet — and would recommend it to one and all.

Right now it’s probably the best smart helmet available.

The system is expensive, however. I paid USD $300 for the entire system. You might be able to buy the helmet alone for about $220.

I bought it on Kickstarter. (And might not use Kickstarter in future.)

My delivery was delayed by several months.

Click PLAY or watch my 3 month review on YouTube.

I used an A.I. voice over on that edit.


A helmet once saved me on a crash in New Zealand. I plan to wear this helmet more often into the future.

I’ll try not to lose it. 😀

IF you ride an electric bike, having the SAFEST possible helmet is even more critical.

  • MIPS certified (Multi-directional Impact Protection System)
  • Helmet with integrated lights front and back
  • Magnetic smart lights that can be mounted anywhere
  • Handlebar navigation remote control
  • Smart phone app

I really like the quick magnetic attachment of 3 alternate visors. Wearing glasses full-time, very few other types of visors or cycling sunglasses fit.

BUT …

The process for pairing all the devices with Bluetooth is confusing. What’s on their various help videos is not what happened when I paired.

In addition, my first remote was faulty. Support was prompt. And they eventually shipped me a replacement.

The biggest complaint online is that the ON / OFF button is difficult. Personally, I like the fact that the helmet will not accidentally be turned on. I’m OK with the stiff button.

Click PLAY or watch an independent review on YouTube.

Here’s the company pitch.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here’s one review of the top 4 smart helmets, as of the date of this post.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Cycling Denmark

My biggest surprise cycling Europe in 2024 was Denmark.

It’s fantastic.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I needed to cross Denmark south to north, coming from the Rhine river in Germany.

I had low expectations, basically planning to spend as few days in Denmark as possible while getting to the ferry to Faroe Islands.

NOW I want to go back to Denmark — the 2nd happiest nation in the world!

Highest priority is National Cycle Route 1, the West Coast Route. 560 kilometers from the German border.


National Cycle Route 12 ➙ Limfjord Route looks interesting, as well. I rode part of that from Aalborg summer 2024.

Third priority would be National Cycle Route 9 ➙ en route from Berlin to Copenhagen.

As I post, Denmark is my cycling destination for the future. It would get me back to Germany, as well, which is fantastic with the Deutschland Rail ticket making public transit almost free.

Part of the attraction are the fantastic free campsites in an otherwise very expensive tourist nation.

I’m still brainstorming future cycling destinations.