Malaysian TV host suggests Genting Highlands learn from Ba Na Hills

Astro Arena is a famous Malaysian television channel broadcasting football and entertainment programs with Nafis Abdullah as the host.

Through a 6-episode tour of Vietnam broadcast on the channel, Malaysian audiences could explore and experience exclusive activities and destinations in Vietnam.

The tour chose Sun World Ba Na Hills as the final destination.

"I started to wonder why we didn’t come to Ba Na from the first days of exploring Vietnam, but I understood that we have to save the best for last," said Nafis.

The editor praised Sun World Ba Na Hills as a great place, not only for its huge financial investment but also for its energy and ideas.

Sun World Ba Na Hills. Photo courtesy of Sun Group

The tourist area on top of Ba Na Hills makes the editor constantly "overwhelmed."

Located at a height of 1,487 m above sea level, Ba Na Mountain, or "my mountain" in the language of the Co Tu people, is referred to as a heaven on earth thanks to its dramatic landscape.

During his journey, Nafis was impressed by the cable car experience that enabled him to take in panoramic views of Da Nang from above, explore the French village with its dreamy architecture, and visit Fantasy Park, the largest indoor amusement park in Vietnam, besides the 100-year-old Debay Wine Cellar.

Nafis adored experiencing the Golden Bridge like all other tourists to Da Nang. "I feel like stepping through the hands of God."

From his viewpoint, this is the most interesting photoshooting place for every tourist.

Golden Bridge in the middle of a sea of clouds. Photo courtesy of Da Nang Photography Club

Nafis enjoyed the cool air on the top of the mountain.

However, what made Nafis and his crew most excited was the funicular experience at Sun World Ba Na Hills.

"I was stunned. From my first days in Vietnam, they said it was not that great. But when experiencing the funicular, I thought that Genting needed to do something like this. In Malaysia, there is no place like this," he added.

Genting is one of the proud works of Malaysians, which can be reached in one hour by car from Kuala Lumpur.

Like Ba Na, Genting Highlands is an entertainment and resort complex located on the top of the mountain, which must be reached by cable car.

The funicular at Sun World Ba Na Hills with impressive panoramic views. Photo courtesy of Sun Group

This is not the first time Sun World Ba Na Hills has received great attention and praise from the Malaysian media.

In its issue on Feb. 7, 2023, Malaysia's premier news provider, the New Straits Times, praised Da Nang as an ideal year-round destination.

The author particularly loved Ba Na and enjoyed the feeling of all the four seasons within a day here and the cable car experience to reach the top.

The newspaper commented that "Ba Na Hills rose like a phoenix from the ashes in the late 20th century to claim pole position as a key tourist spot in Da Nang."

In fact, the number of Malaysian tourists coming to Sun World Ba Na Hills has increased over the years.

As reported by the resort, up to 90% of Malaysian tourists coming to Da Nang chose to visit Sun World Ba Na Hills.

Since its official operation in 2009, Sun World Ba Na Hills has always been positioned as an iconic tourist area, not only in Da Nang.

Especially with the inauguration of the Golden Bridge five years ago, Sun World Ba Na Hills has made significant contributions to helping Da Nang tourism in particular and Vietnam in general affirm its global position.

The Sun World Ba Na Hills Tourist Area claimed the "Asia's Leading Theme Park 2023" title at the 30th World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia & Oceania 2023. This is the fourth consecutive year that it has been honored with this award.