A Guinness-worthy gondola

      Vietnam has set two new Guinness World Records for a recently launched cable car system outside of central Da Nang City.
The Ba Na-Suoi Mo gondola has been officially recognized as the world’s longest single-wire cable car system (spanning nearly 5,043 meters) to operate with just two terminals.
In addition, the system has the greatest height difference between the two terminals (nearly 1,300 meters).
Managed by the Ba Na Cable Car Service Joint Stock Company, the gondola took more than a year to complete and was inaugurated on March 25.
In addition to its impressive length, the Ba Na-Suoi Mo cable car system boasts 94 cabins with the capacity to transport 1,500 passengers per hour. A total of 22 pillars support the cable network.
It is among the most modern and most expensive cable car systems in Vietnam and was built to meet European standards. The total investment for the project was approximately VND300 billion (US$17.2 million).
A gondola trip from Suoi Mo to the peak of Ba Na Mountain costs VND80,000-100,000 ($4.60-5.70) per person and takes 15 minutes. During the journey, tourists are treated to spectacular panoramic views of vast greenery and misty, rolling mountains.
At this time of the year, Ba Na Mountain is carpeted in a dazzling array of wild flowers. Once on the mountain peak, visitors can immerse themselves in the lush natural setting or visit the Linh Ung Pagoda with a 27-meter-high Buddha statue.
Here, the four seasons can be experienced all in one day: spring in the morning, summer in the afternoon, autumn in the evening and winter at night. At an altitude of nearly 1,500 meters above sea level, the mountain peak offers picturesque views of Da Nang City, the Han River, five distinct mountains, and ships sailing on the sea.
Overnight accommodation, food services, and entertainment are all available on Ba Na Mountain with a selection of guesthouses, hotels and resorts to suit a range of budgets.