Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam soon? Here’s an underrated destination near Ho Chi Minh City that you should add to your travel itinerary!
Ba Den Mountain (Bà Đen), also called Núi Bà Đen or Black Virgin Mountain, is an extinct volcano standing 996m (3,268ft) high in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. It is also known as the “roof” of Southern Vietnam, being the highest peak in the region.
This Sun World Ba Den Mountain guide is based on our recent family trip and has been refined for a better experience. See our 8-Day Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Budget Travel Itinerary for Families here.
HOW TO GET TO BA DEN MOUNTAIN FROM HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
Option 1: Drive via Car or Motorbike
Option 2: By Bus
Option 3: By Private Transfer
Tay Ninh Province is about 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Traveling to Sun World Ba Den Mountain takes approximately 3 hours by car. As we were traveling as a family, we opted to visit Ba Den Mountain via private car transfer.
We booked a package on Klook that includes the following:
Roundtrip transfers from Ho Chi Minh City
Roundtrip cable car passes to Hang Pagoda and Van Son Peak
Alpine coaster pass (optional if you prefer to return via the alpine coaster from Hang Pagoda)
A 2-hour dining experience or lunch at Van Son Restaurant
Note: The package does not include the entrance fees to Ba Den Mountain:
VND 10,000 for adults
VND 5,000 for children
When booking the package, specifically the transfers, you can choose your preferred pick-up location and departure time from Ho Chi Minh City, as well as your return time from Ba Den Mountain. We rode a 9-seater minibus.
Pick-up Times from Ho Chi Minh: hourly between 5:00 am to 9:00 am
Pick-up Times from Ba Den Mountain: hourly between 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Pick-up Locations from Ho Chi Minh City:
Operator office: 133 De Tham, District 1
Independence Palace: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1
Pasteur Institute: 16/ Pasteur, Vo Thi Sau, District 3
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) (Available with a surcharge of VND 85,000/person)
Depending on your departure time from Ba Den Mountain, you might be assigned a different van for the return trip to Ho Chi Minh City. Make sure to keep your lines open, as the operator will contact you in case of any schedule changes. Note that the drivers speak limited English, so your main point of contact will be the operator.
There is one quick stopover on the way to Ba Den Mountain, but none on the return trip to Ho Chi Minh City, so be sure to use the restroom beforehand.
HOW TO GET AROUND SUN WORLD BA DEN MOUNTAIN
The package does not include a tour guide, so be sure to plan your visit ahead of time and keep track of your schedule. We made a few mistakes during our visit, so to help make your trip smoother, here’s a quick guide to getting around Ba Den Mountain.
Getting around Sun World Ba Den Mountain is relatively easy. There’s signage throughout the complex, and the staff are helpful even with the language barrier. (This is where translation apps come in handy!)
Here’s a map of the Sun World Ba Den Mountain complex:
To maximize your visit in Sun World Ba Den Mountain, you may follow this sample route or itinerary:
Start your visit at Ba Den Cable Car Station (Mountain Base Area)
Take the cable car to Van Son Cable Car Station (Mountain Peak Area)
Explore the Mountain Peak Area
Visit the Maitreya Buddha Statue
Work your way up to the Zen Garden
Option 1: From the Mountain Peak, take the cable car back to the Mountain Base, then transfer to the second cable car going to Chua Hang Station (Pagodas Area).
Option 2: From Tam An Cable Car Station (Mountain Peak Area), take the cable car directly to Hua Dong Station (Pagodas Area).
To return to the mountain base:
Option 1: Take the Alpine Coaster to head back to the mountain base
Option 2: Ride the cable car from Chua Hang Station to the mountain base
If you’re riding the Alpine Coaster, your endpoint will be the Alpine Coaster Station at the mountain base. From there, a free shuttle service will take you to the Ba Den Cable Car Station.
Explore the Mountain Base Area
DID YOU KNOW? Ba Den Station holds the Guinness World Record for the largest cable car station in the world, covering an area of 10,959 square meters.
WHERE TO EAT IN SUN WORLD BA DEN MOUNTAIN
Van Son Restaurant, located in the Mountain Peak Area, is open from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm. The buffet lunch features a variety of cuisines, including Vietnamese local dishes, Chinese food, and more!
Food stalls selling drinks and snacks are also found throughout the complex.
TIPS FOR VISITING SUN WORLD BA DEN MOUNTAIN
Go early if you can to maximize your visit.
Prepare for a long walk and some hiking, especially in the Pagodas Area.
Bring water and light snacks, though you can also buy food at stalls inside the complex.
Try the Vietnamese food at Van Son Restaurant.
Some local food and souvenirs are sold cheaper outside the complex, so consider checking those out.
Get a physical map for easier navigation. Free maps and guides are available inside the stations and cable cars.
Install translation apps like Google Translate to help with language barriers.
Always bring cash, as not all vendors accept cards.
HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD I SPEND IN BA DEN MOUNTAIN?
One day is enough to explore Sun World Ba Den Mountain from Ho Chi Minh City.
Is it worth visiting Ba Den Mountain? Absolutely! If you love nature, spiritual experiences, cable cars, and alpine coasters, this destination is for you!
DISCLAIMER: All information in this post is based on my personal experience, and research at the time of writing. However, some details, laws, and rules may have changed over time. Always double-check current info before you travel!
Grab lunch at Van Son Restaurant
Explore the Pagodas Area
Sun World Ba Den Mountain in photos. Shot with Siam Dispo Lens with minimal editing for a film look.