Son Tra is the forested peninsula north of Da Nang, about 13 km long and rising to nearly 700 metres. Its lower coast road leads to Linh Ung pagoda and the Lady Buddha, which keep their own hours; the forest roads above are open only on three designated routes, from 7:30 to 18:30 between March and September and to 17:30 between October and February.
Automatic scooters are not allowed on the mountain routes, one section runs one way only, and visitors must stay on the permitted routes. Visits can be suspended in dangerous weather.
Son Tra with the rules already handled
Our half day starts on Son Tra at the Lady Buddha, by private car, with a guide who knows which roads are open that day.
★Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & the Stone CarversThe Marble Mountains caves at the hour the light comes in, the Lady Buddha on Son Tra and a working Non Nuoc carving yard, with your own guide and car. · 5 hoursSee the tour →Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & Hoi An by Lantern LightSon Tra, the Marble Mountains caves and a Non Nuoc carving yard in the morning, then Hoi An old town and a boat on the Thu Bon as the lanterns come on. · 10 hoursSee the tour →Which routes on Son Tra are open to visitors?
In August 2026 the management board of the peninsula confirmed three permitted routes, and asked visitors not to leave them, not to follow forest trails and not to climb down unofficial paths to the sea, after a series of people got lost or injured doing so.
| Route | Who may use it |
|---|---|
| Tien Sa – Suoi Om – Ban Co peak | Walkers, bicycles and manual motorbikes only; temporarily closed for storm repairs as of August 2026 |
| Yet Kieu – Ban Co peak | Most vehicles, except automatic scooters and buses over 24 seats |
| Ban Co peak – Bai Bac junction | One way, downhill only; no bicycles, automatic scooters or buses over 24 seats |
| Bai Bac junction – the heritage banyan tree | Walkers only |
The rule most visitors miss is the one on scooters: the rental scooters most tourists ride are automatics, and they are not allowed on the mountain routes.
What are the opening hours?
| Season | Hours on the mountain routes |
|---|---|
| March to September | 7:30 to 18:30 |
| October to February | 7:30 to 17:30 |
Visits can be suspended when there is a dangerous weather warning, which is most likely from September to December; the Da Nang weather by month guide covers the season. Linh Ung pagoda and the Lady Buddha, on the lower coast road, open from about 6:00 to 21:00.
What is there to see on Son Tra?
| Sight | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| The Lady Buddha and Linh Ung pagoda | Lower coast road, south side | The 67-metre statue facing the sea |
| Ban Co peak | Top of the Yet Kieu route | A viewpoint over the city, the bay and the Hai Van pass |
| The heritage banyan tree | Walk from the Bai Bac junction | An ancient banyan protected as a heritage tree |
| The forest | Along the mountain routes | Home to the red-shanked douc langurs and many other species |
The Lady Buddha is covered in its own guide, the Lady Buddha of Da Nang.
Why is Son Tra protected?
Son Tra is a nature reserve of more than 4,400 hectares, one of the few places in Vietnam where natural forest runs down to the sea, and it holds the largest known population of red-shanked douc langurs, more than 1,300 animals. It was once an island that silt joined to the mainland, and its height has also made it a strategic lookout over the bay for centuries.
Rather not work out the road rules?
Our half day starts on Son Tra by private car, then continues to the Marble Mountains and a carving yard.
Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & the Stone Carvers5 hoursSee the tour →Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & Hoi An by Lantern Light10 hoursSee the tour →Son Tra peninsula: quick answers
Can you ride a scooter on Son Tra peninsula?
Not on the mountain routes. Automatic scooters are banned on the permitted routes to Ban Co peak; manual motorbikes, cars and small buses are allowed on the Yet Kieu route.
What time does Son Tra open?
The mountain routes are open from 7:30 to 18:30 between March and September, and from 7:30 to 17:30 between October and February. Visits can be suspended in dangerous weather.
Is the Lady Buddha affected by the Son Tra road rules?
Linh Ung pagoda and the Lady Buddha are on the lower coast road and open from about 6:00 to 21:00. The route rules apply to the forest roads above.
Can you hike on Son Tra?
Only on the permitted routes. Visitors are asked not to follow forest trails or unofficial paths down to the sea.
Son Tra, then the Marble Mountains
Choose your group size and the price covers the day: pickup, private car, licensed guide, every ticket and water. Free to cancel until 3 days before.
★Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & the Stone CarversThe Marble Mountains caves at the hour the light comes in, the Lady Buddha on Son Tra and a working Non Nuoc carving yard, with your own guide and car. · 5 hoursfrom$39/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$135BOOK →2 guests$140BOOK →3 guests$150BOOK →4 guests$155BOOK →See the full tour page →Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & Hoi An by Lantern LightSon Tra, the Marble Mountains caves and a Non Nuoc carving yard in the morning, then Hoi An old town and a boat on the Thu Bon as the lanterns come on. · 10 hoursfrom$89/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$265BOOK →2 guests$295BOOK →3 guests$325BOOK →4 guests$355BOOK →See the full tour page →Route rules and hours follow the notice of the Son Tra management board reported in August 2026 and can change at short notice.