Nha Trang Over-Sea Cable Car

The cable car to Hon Tre crosses about three kilometres of open water from the southern edge of Nha Trang, hung from a line of towers built out into the bay that are lit at night and visible from most of the city beach. The ride takes roughly ten minutes each way, low enough over the water to make out fishing boats, mussel rafts and the edges of the shallows below, with the city and its ring of hills behind. The island end serves a large resort and amusement complex, so the standard ticket bundles the crossing with entry to the park. Plenty of people ride it mainly for the crossing and the view back over the bay.

What you actually see

• The over-water span - the crossing hung from towers standing directly in the bay.
• Bay traffic below - fishing boats, mussel rafts and shallow reef seen through the water.
• The city panorama - the Nha Trang beachfront and its hills on the return leg.
• The island park - the amusement and water park at the Hon Tre terminal.

When to go

February to August is the drier season with the calmest bay; strong wind can suspend the line, most often between October and December. Late afternoon gives the best light over the city, and the towers are lit after dark. Weekends and Vietnamese holidays bring long queues at the mainland terminal and heavy crowds inside the park.

Honest expectations

The ticket is priced as a full theme park entry, so riding purely for the view is poor value. The island complex is loud, commercial and crowded in season, with further charges once inside. Cabins get hot whenever the line stops. The crossing itself is short, and anyone uneasy about heights over open water will find the middle section uncomfortable. Boats to the island are far cheaper.

Nearby

Nha Trang's long city beach and the islands of the bay are within a short boat ride.