The Son Tra Peninsula is the final point, marking the end of the northern Truong Son Mountain Range, projecting directly into the East Sea along with Hai Van Mountain. Son Tra’s highest peak reaches 696 meters, with a length of 15 kilometers from east to west, its widest point about 6 kilometers, and the narrowest 2 kilometers. It has a perimeter of approximately 50 kilometers and an area of 4,390 hectares. The Son Tra Peninsula serves as a gigantic shield and the green lung of Da Nang City.
Located 10 kilometers northeast of Da Nang City’s center, with a diverse ecosystem, stunning coastline, fresh climate, and a convenient transportation network connecting to the city center, Son Tra is further enhanced by the ongoing development and completion of internal roads within the peninsula. These favorable conditions make Son Tra poised to become one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Da Nang City.
The Son Tra Peninsula is formed from granite, with soil primarily consisting of yellow-brown feralit, characterized by light texture and poor water retention. The climate is tropical monsoon, with an average annual rainfall of 2,184 millimeters. During the hot season, temperatures reach around 28–29°C, while in the winter season, they range from 18–22°C. The peninsula has about 20 streams that flow either year-round or seasonally. On the northern slopes, there are streams such as Hai Do 8, Tien Sa, Suoi Sau, and Ong Tam; on the southern slopes, there are Bai Con, Bai Trem, Da, and Heo streams.
The Son Tra Peninsula boasts many charming and romantic landscapes. The low mountain ranges are entirely covered with the deep green of a 4,370-hectare primeval forest that extends out into the sea, forming a gigantic natural screen that shields the city from storms.
Passing through Tien Sa Port, one of the three largest ports in Vietnam, visitors encounter a place with significant economic development potential and bustling maritime trade. With the growing trend of tourism, Tien Sa Port has also become an economic gateway where large international cruise ships bring visitors to explore Da Nang. At Tien Sa Beach, the fine white sand and crystal-clear blue waters create a timeless and graceful beauty, complemented by ecological values that have earned recognition worldwide as one of the most beautiful coastlines on the planet.
From the summit of Son Tra, visitors can admire the panoramic view of Da Nang City in the shape of a crescent, along with Ngu Hanh Son, Ba Na – Nui Chua, and the majestic Hai Van Pass. The Son Tra Peninsula is a diverse and rich nature reserve. Its forests remain almost in their primeval state, home to distinctive flora and fauna. There are 289 plant species recorded, belonging to 271 genera and 90 families. Surveys have identified nearly 300 rare red-shanked douc langurs, as well as red-faced chickens, monkeys, and other endangered species recognized worldwide.
The Son Tra Peninsula bears historical relics from both the resistance against the French and the resistance against the Americans. It is also home to ideal resorts, Tien Sa Port, ancient pagodas, and folk legends rich in humanistic values, making it an indispensable destination for visitors to Da Nang. In addition to services such as scuba diving to admire coral reefs and sea cruises, guests can also explore nature, enjoy recreational activities such as jet skiing and parasailing, and participate in fishermen’s festivals, all of which promise to leave unforgettable impressions. At present, Son Tra is being actively invested in and developed to attract more domestic and international tourists.
The Son Tra Peninsula, where nature, history, and folk legends rich in humanistic values converge, together with the unceasing aspirations of the people of Son Tra District in particular and Da Nang City in general, will in the near future become an ideal destination. Along with Ba Na – Nui Chua and Ngu Hanh Son, it will form a captivating tourism chain unlike anywhere else.
HIGHLIGHTS
LINH UNG PAGODA – BAI BUT – DA NANG
Linh Ung Pagoda is located in the Bai But area of the Son Tra Peninsula, about 10 kilometers northeast of Da Nang City center. It was founded by the late Most Venerable Thich Thien Nguyen. Construction of the pagoda began on July 4, 2004 (the 19th day of the 6th lunar month, Year of the Monkey) and was inaugurated on July 30, 2010 (the 19th day of the 6th lunar month, Year of the Tiger).
VIEW THE INTRODUCTORY PRESENTATION HERE
DONG ĐINH MUSEUM
Dong Dinh Museum is a private museum licensed for operation and constructed within the protected national forest of Son Tra. It displays ancient ceramic artifacts dating from 100 to 2,500 years old. These ceramics have been authenticated and belong to the Dai Viet culture, Sa Huynh culture, Champa culture, Chinese culture, as well as other regional cultures.
BAN CO PEAK
After a long journey from the foot of the mountain, to reach Ban Co Peak one must stop the vehicle and climb a steep staircase. Setting foot on Ban Co Peak, all fatigue seems to vanish as you are immersed in a dreamlike landscape and a vast, open space. From this 700-meter-high vantage point, the entire view of Da Nang City unfolds before your eyes. The city appears magnificent with its houses, the Han River, and its bridges, bustling and full of life.
HERITAGE BANYAN TREE
The Heritage Banyan Tree on the Son Tra Peninsula, also known as the Highland Banyan, belongs to the mulberry family and is over 800 years old, 22 meters tall, with a trunk and surrounding root cluster measuring up to 85 meters in circumference. It is part of the ancient banyan population within the Son Tra Nature Reserve.
VONG CANH HOUSE
Vong Canh House is built on a rocky outcrop, offering a superb vantage point. From here, visitors can see Ngoc Island (Hon Cho or Son Tra Islet), the radar stations for both maritime and aerial surveillance, and the Hai Van Pass. In front of Vong Canh House stands a stone monkey statue, the symbol of the Son Tra Peninsula.
TIEN SA LIGHTHOUSE
The Son Tra Lighthouse, also known as Tien Sa Lighthouse, is located on the summit of Son Tra Mountain at an altitude of about 223 meters above sea level. It was built in the 20th century.
In addition to the above experiences, Son Tra continues to captivate visitors with a series of attractions such as the ancient Buu Dai Son Pagoda, rich in Buddhist architecture; the poetic Ho Xanh with its crystal-clear waters amidst the forest; Tien Sa Beach, each spot offering its own distinctive natural beauty; Radar Station 29 (“the Indochina God’s Eye”) and the old wartime helicopter base – where visitors can pause to enjoy the scenery and explore historical traces; Son Tra Tinh Vien – a unique bamboo garden gathering hundreds of rare bamboo species in a serene forest setting; along with Y Pha Nho Cemetery – the burial ground of French and Spanish legionnaires at the foot of the mountain, where the names of fallen soldiers remain clearly inscribed on the tombstones…
NEW REMAKABLE DESTINATIONS AND EXPERIENCES
Son Tra is currently developing many new tourism experiences to attract visitors:
SON TRA MARINA & APHRODITE S16 CRUISE: A tourism port with architecture inspired by Santorini (Greece), serving as the departure point for luxury cruises exploring Son Tra from the sea, offering activities such as coral diving, stand-up paddle boarding, and light dining on the bay.
CA CHUON SPACE: A creative and artistic complex nestled amidst the forests of Son Tra. It serves as a relaxing stop for workshops, art exhibitions, and experiential activities that connect nature and people. With its friendly architecture, open space, and sea-facing view, it forms a unique “art oasis” in the heart of Son Tra.
PARAGLIDING EXPERIENCE: Paragliding at the Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, Vietnam is an adventurous sport in which visitors fly tandem with a professional pilot, enjoying panoramic views of Son Tra from an altitude of 700 meters – offering a fresh and impressive perspective of Da Nang.
Safety Note: Paragliding is a sport highly dependent on weather conditions and subject to strict technical requirements. Visitors should only participate with operators licensed by the Ministry of National Defense, with professional pilots, thoroughly inspected equipment, and safety procedures strictly supervised before, during, and after takeoff. In cases where weather conditions are unfavorable or safety risks arise, the competent authorities may decide to suspend paragliding activities. Tourists are advised to regularly follow official local updates to ensure their plans are safe and convenient.
DESIGNATED ROUTES PERMITTED FOR TRAVEL AND VISITS ON SON TRA PENINSULA
- Route 1: From the Hoang Sa Road intersection (near Bac Beach junction leading to the Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort) to the Heritage Banyan Tree: Vehicles are permitted (except for automatic motorcycles/scooters and buses with more than 24 seats).
- Route 2: From Yet Kieu Road to Ban Co Peak and then to Bac Beach: For the section from the Da Nang Radio and Television broadcasting station to Ban Co Peak: all vehicles are permitted on this route (except scooters and buses with more than 24 seats); for the subsequent section from Ban Co Peak to Bac Beach: only one-way traffic is allowed, in the direction from Ban Co Peak to Bac Beach.
- Route 3: Yet Kieu – Suoi Om: Vehicles are permitted to travel (except scooters and buses with more than 24 seats) from the Yet Kieu Road intersection to Suoi Om and vice versa.
Note: Each of the above routes has checkpoints arranged to control the entry and exit of people and vehicles.
For the remaining routes and branch roads, due to infrastructure conditions that do not ensure traffic safety, vehicles are not permitted to travel on these routes (except for those serving national defense, security, and forest protection purposes…).
VISITING AND TOURISM HOURS
Tourists are permitted to visit and picnic along the three designated routes of the Son Tra Peninsula within the specified time frames. Outside these hours, barriers will be locked, and all visiting or picnic activities will not be allowed (except for activities authorized by competent authorities), specifically:
- From March to the end of September: 07:30 to 18:30
- From October to the end of February of the following year: 07:30 to 17:30
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Best Time to Visit: The Son Tra Peninsula has a cool climate and can be visited year-round. However, the dry season from around March to September is considered the most ideal time to explore the area, with little rain or storms, abundant sunshine, and clear visibility. Conversely, during the rainy season (October to February), Da Nang often experiences heavy rainfall, cooler weather, slippery roads, and dense fog, which may cause difficulties and reduce safety when traveling. Therefore, visitors are advised to prioritize visiting Son Tra during the dry season and avoid stormy days to ensure the most convenient and enjoyable experience.
Other Notes: Son Tra is a nature reserve, renowned for the rare red-shanked douc langur (known as the “Queen of Primates”) that lives in herds. When encountering wild animals such as langurs or monkeys, visitors must not feed them or engage in any provocative behavior. Maintain a quiet observing distance, avoid littering, and refrain from disturbing their natural habitat in order to help preserve the ecosystem.
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
