Son Tra Peninsula is a 30-square-kilometer (12-square-mile) protected forest located in Tho Quang Ward, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Da Nang city center. The reserve combines primeval forest, quiet beaches, and rich biodiversity, including the rare red-shanked douc langur found across its hillsides.
Entry to the peninsula is free, and the best time to visit falls between March and September, when the weather stays dry and sunny. You reach the peninsula in about 20 minutes by taxi, Grab, or rented motorbike from central Da Nang.
The peninsula holds the attractions most travelers come to see, from Linh Ung Pagoda and its 67-meter Lady Buddha statue to Ban Co Peak, Son Tra Lighthouse, and the nearly-800-year-old banyan tree. Beyond sightseeing, you can hike forest trails, paraglide over the coast, snorkel offshore reefs, and taste fresh local seafood. This guide covers the location, best time to visit, transport options, ticket fees, and every major sight, so you can plan a complete Son Tra Peninsula trip.
What Makes Son Tra Peninsula Special
Son Tra Peninsula spans 30 square kilometers (12 square miles) of protected forest, ranking among Vietnam’s most important nature reserves. The reserve shelters more than 1,000 plant species and rare wildlife, including the endangered red-shanked douc langur. From the summit of Son Tra Mountain, you see panoramic views across Da Nang Bay, ideal for photography.
Location
Son Tra Peninsula is situated in Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra district, which is around 10 kilometers away from the city center. Along the way to this destination, you will pass by a range of famous beaches in Danang, where you see the bustling life of locals.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Son Tra Peninsula is from March to September, when the weather stays dry and sunny. These months offer the clearest conditions for outdoor activities, panoramic photos, and beach visits. The peninsula remains open year-round, but heavy rain between October and December can limit mountain access.
How to Get There
Son Tra Peninsula sits about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Da Nang city center, roughly a 20-minute drive.
- From Da Nang City: You reach the peninsula by taxi, Grab bike, rented motorbike, or guided tour. Driving a motorbike straight along the Da Nang coast is the simplest route.
- From Hanoi: You first take a flight or train to Da Nang City, then continue by taxi, which handles luggage most easily.
Ticket Fees
Son Tra Peninsula charges no entrance fee, but three attractions inside collect separate charges. The lighthouse costs 1 USD (₹95) per person. Bai But and Bai Rang charge 8–16 USD (₹760–₹1,520) per hut, or 1.5 USD (₹145) per visit if you do not rent a hut.
What to expect during the journey to Son Tra Peninsula
Unique Beauty of Beaches
Son Tra Peninsula is surrounded by five notable beaches, each offering distinct scenery and activities. These quiet shores are ideal for water sports, photography, and seafood dining.
- But Beach: It is the most renowned destination on the Son Tra Peninsula. Coming here, you can easily admire the beauty of surrounding landscapes, and join unique underwater sports. They can include seeing coral reefs, windsurfing, or snorkeling in Son Tra Peninsula.
- Tien Sa Beach: You will be attracted by its pristine and peaceful views. On a long stretch of white sand, you can sunbathe, take some pictures, or go fishing.
- Da Den Beach (Black Stone Beach): Being located on the North shore of Son Tra Mountain, Da Den Beach impresses travelers due to its pristine beauty. In this spot, you can see a range of large black rocks stacked together, which brings a unique view.
- Bai Nam Beach (South Beach): The beach is also called “Bai Nom”, which boasts the most stunning coral reefs in Son Tra Penisula. You can book a room in Son Tra Penisual Resort nearby to have a memorable night here.
- Bai Bac Beach (North Beach): From October to November, you can see a lot of dark green seaweeds on the rocks here, making it unique from the other beaches. Besides that, don’t forget to experience interesting activities like diving, snorkeling, or swimming.
Linh Ung Pagoda
Linh Ung Pagoda is the largest Buddhist temple complex in Da Nang and a center of religious life on the peninsula. The grounds include the main hall, ancestral house, lecture hall, Arhat statue garden, and dining hall. Visiting these spaces, you see traditional Vietnamese temple architecture and active Buddhist worship up close.
Statue of Lady Buddha
Lady Buddha at Linh Ung Pagoda stands 67 meters (220 feet) tall, making it the tallest Buddha statue in Vietnam, according to Da Nang’s tourism authority. The statue rises across 17 floors, each housing 21 Buddha images. Visitors can pass by the stairs inside to discover the beauty of each story.
Ban Co Peak
To visit Ban Co Peak, you need to come across a narrow and winding road. The winding route challenges most visitors. At this destination, you will witness a huge bronze Confucius statue playing chess, surrounded by the sky, mountains, and rocks.
Red-shanked Douc in Son Tra National Park
In this park, you can find plentiful flora and fauna. One of the most famous animals is the Red-shanked Douc, which is a very rare monkey in Vietnam. You can see these monkeys in every corner during your journey here. That’s why locals call Son Tra Peninsula as Son Tra Monkey Mountains.
Nearly-800-Year-Old Banyan Tree
The Son Tra banyan tree stands nearly 800 years old, making it one of the oldest living trees in central Vietnam. Its massive trunk spreads into dozens of aerial roots and branches radiating from the center, creating a natural canopy. Tree lovers reach this spot in the hot summer months to rest under its cool, shaded ambiance. Tree lovers reach this spot in the hot summer months to enjoy the fresh ambiance.
Sea View from the Military Radar Station
The station is called “Mat Than Dong Duong”, which is used to support civil aviation in Vietnam. From this spot, you can observe the breathtaking view of landscapes and the East Sea.
Son Tra Lighthouse
Son Tra Lighthouse stands 223 meters (732 feet) above sea level in French colonial style compared to the sea level. Currently, it has become one of the trendy destinations with a lot of visitors, especially the young. The viewpoint offers clear panoramas worth photographing of the surrounding sights.
Vong Canh Hill
If you want to visit Vong Canh Hill, it is safer to move during dry and sunny days. Coming here, you can see the panoramic view of Ngoc Island, as well as the image of Hai Van passing in the distance. An additional treasure of this hill is the fresh and comfortable ambiance.
Things to do in Son Tra Penisula
- Hiking: To capture the most wonderful pictures, hiking is a good option for you to consider. Along the way to attractions in the Son Tra Mountains, you can catch plenty of impressive moments.
- Paragliding: Paragliding over Son Tra costs 82 USD (₹7,790) per person. The flight gives you aerial views of the coastline and forested peaks.
- Snorkeling: When visiting beaches in Son Tra Penisula, many visitors love snorkeling to discover the beauty of the underwater world. Professional instructors supervise every session to ensure your safety.
- Local cuisines: This journey also brings you an impressive experience with local cuisines. Don’t forget the taste of fresh seafood, wild vegetables, and especially coconut wine.
Travel Tips
- You should wear hiking shoes to easily move during visit time.
- Mobile signals stay weak across the peninsula, so you should download an offline map before arriving.
- Bring umbrellas, sunscreen, and hats for unexpected weather.
- Always respect the environment and religious values.
- You should not feed the monkeys, as it harms their natural behavior.
- Experience the breathtaking view from Linh Ung Pagoda or Radar station in the evening
- Should book a tour in advance with a local guide (contact Vietnamtour.in)
Conclusion
Our blog has just shown you a full guide to Son Tra Peninsula. Besides that, we hope that our useful tips can help you have a more memorable journey here. Let’s refer to our places to visit in Danang blog for additional activities in this city.
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