Jul 21, 2023
By Ms. Anh Thu
Overview
Monkey Mountain Da Nang is a must-visit destination for your trip to Da Nang, Vietnam. The Son Tra Mountain, also known as Monkey Mountain, is home to over 100 rare animals listed in the Red Book of Vietnam. The reserve is particularly valuable due to the presence of over 400 brown-shanked douc langurs, known as the Queen of primates. If you are planning to visit this place, Vietnam Escape Tours - One of the best tour operator in Viettnam is happy to share more information about this mountain, read on to get more information!
Da Nang is always one of the top list desination when you plan for a Vietnam Package Tours and Monkey Mountain Da Nang is one of the good places to visit in Da Nang.
Monkey Mountain Da Nang has the second name Son Tra Mountain, which is a mountain and peninsula range located on the Sơn Trà Peninsula in the Sơn Trà district of Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, with views of the East Sea and the Bay of Da Nang.
Son Tra Mountain, a 693-meter-high national park in Da Nang, is a popular retreat for locals and travelers seeking a break from city traffic. The mountain, which is part of the Son Tra Peninsula, is encircled by beautiful beaches including Bai Bac, Bai Nam, Bai But, and Tien Sa Beach. During the American-Vietnam War, it housed radar domes and a helicopter pad, providing a cool lookout point.
Fishermen believe gods live in Son Tra Mountain, which has around 20 temples built on its coastal slope. The biggest is Linh Ung Pagoda, which Bai But Beach restored in 2010 from a Buddha temple. Locals refer to the peak as a "weather forecast station". Since the 19th and 20th centuries, the Nguyen dynasty built fortresses along the mountain's west coast, protecting Da Nang port. Foreigners were banned from visiting the mountain, but in 1858, French and Spanish troops began colonizing Vietnam. They faced local resistance and were forced to leave Gia Dinh, now Ho Chi Minh City, in their first campaign. The remains of a colonist's cemetery can be found near the current port facility.
These are the top attractions in Son Tra Mountain:

The Linh Ung Pagoda, located at the top of Monkey Mountain Da Nang, is the tallest statue of the Goddess of Mercy in Southeast Asia. Son Tra Quan Am (Son Tra Goddess of Mercy), the official symbol of Danang City, is a significant pilgrimage destination for Buddhists in Vietnam. Unveiled in July 2010 at Linh Ung – Bai But Pagoda, the statue stands at 69.7 meters in height and is positioned on a 35-meter-diameter lotus platform. With 17 stories and 21 Buddha idols, the statue took 6 years to build and symbolizes peace and spiritual life in the city.
The pagoda has seventeen levels, and visitors can explore 21 miniature Buddha sculptures. Although there is no entrance fee, the area is busy during special occasions, so planning your visit around common pilgrimages is recommended to avoid crowds and explore the best parts of the pagoda.

The museum, called "Dong Dinh," spans 10,000 m² and showcases ancient artifacts from various cultures, including Dai Viet, Sa Huynh, Champa, and Chinese. The age of artifacts ranges from 100 to 2,500 years. The museum is located 10 kilometers from the city center on the mountainside of a main road that leads to the top. Mr. Doan Huy Giao founded the first private museum in Danang. The name "Dong Dinh" comes from a tree belonging to the Caryota mitis lour family in Son Tra National Park. The park is known as "the garden of memories" for its reflection and relaxation areas, as well as cultural spaces for learning about the country's history.

Ban Co Peak, situated on the Son Tra Peninsula, offers a breathtaking view of Da Nang City, including skyscrapers, Han River bridges, ships floating on the sea, and white sand beaches. The mountain ranges enclose the city, making it a dynamic and living-worthy city. Ban Co Peak is an ideal spot for tourists to admire sunrise and sunset in the sea of Da Nang. In the morning, the sky turns red and blue, signaling a new happy day. The fresh air on the mountain peak recharges energy and refreshes the soul.
The sunset is also a splendid moment, as the sun sinks into the cloud sea, leaving red and orange lines in the sky. Da Nang's sparkling lights and nightlife begin to emerge, making it a must-see destination for tourists and locals alike.

The thousands-year banyan tree, also known as the high mountain banyan tree, is a symbol of the Son Tra peninsula. It is over 800 years old and 22 meters high, with a circumference of 85 meters. Originally discovered in 1771, the tree has been considered one of Vietnam's most majestic trees. During resistance wars against French colonialists and the American empire, the tree was chosen as a hiding place for forces and militia. In 2014, it was recognized as one of Vietnam's heritage trees by the Vietnam Association for Nature and Environmental Protection. It is also the first heritage tree of Da Nang.

Son Tra Tinh Vien, a peaceful garden in Da Nang, is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. It is the only place in Central Vietnam to preserve bamboo and Phyllostachys and is a charming spot for visiting. The garden is surrounded by trees and offers a serene atmosphere, with a bamboo forest and numerous hammocks and benches for relaxation. Visitors can also enjoy empty grounds for groups of travelers. The garden's serene beauty and human-made creation make it a popular destination for visitors.
Son Tra Mountain offers scenic trails with unspoiled environments and proximity to the city. There are two main routes: lower and upper, offering panoramic views and photo opportunities. The lower route is longer and allows for a tour along the peninsula's coastline, while the upper route leads to the peaks. The average hike is 30 km. The trails offer solitude, wild nature, and freedom, with the possibility of seeing the red-shanked douc, one of the 25 most endangered primates. For more information on hiking trails in Da Nang, please refer to the separate article.

Outdoor adventure enthusiasts enjoy jumping off one of Son Tra Mountain's highest points. Expect a mind-numbing adrenaline rush and an incredible perspective while in the air. The paragliders are all continuously startled until they touch down on the beach along the basket boat coast. Only the Da Nang Paragliding Club is permitted to operate the adventures at this time. A master must accompany travelers at all times.

Explore the fascinating world of wild animals, including golden monkeys, which are intelligent and agile. Witness their flight, food, and interaction with each other at "monkey mountain" Son Tra. Capture interesting moments of monkeys by slowly moving closer to them, ensuring they are not harming themselves. Feed the monkeys, which are usually fruits, bread, or cakes, to ensure they are not causing accidents or diseases. Avoid giving them too much, as it can lead to fights and accidents. The Son Tra peninsula offers beautiful scenes for tourists to witness the fascinating life of these fascinating creatures.

Swimming and snorkeling to explore Son Tra Peninsula, a diverse and colorful area with 191 coral species, sea grass, seaweed, mollusks, Echinodermata, and 221 plankton species. The South Coast, with the Lady Buddha, is the largest and most abundant area. Visitors can enjoy canoe rides, snorkeling, and seafood parties at Bai Rang. For more information on snorkeling in Da Nang and Cham Island, read our article. Compare the best dive spots for each visitor.
Most eateries in Son Tra Mountain are near the Lady Buddha because it is the center of Monkey Mountain. You can find many coffee shops and restaurants along the road where local food is served here. Local restaurants in the Son Tra peninsula pay attention to offering seafood that is always fresh and delicious. During dinners, light meals, or drink enjoying, you can admire the sunset that appeared in the panoramic scene of beaches and forests. This will be an unforgettable memory for tourists visiting this land.
The Son Tra Peninsula experiences a dry season from January to July, with average temperatures ranging from 28 to 29°C. This season offers sunny days, ideal for exploring and taking photos. White sandy beaches and warm waters provide panoramic views. The wet season, from August to December, is called the "winter season" due to its lowest degrees. Expect rain, a cooler atmosphere, and waterproof shoes. Typhoons from October to December can cause heavy rains, wavy seas, and gusty winds. Most attractions and outdoor activities are closed to ensure visitor safety.
The best months to visit this peninsula are March through September when the weather is dry and lovely and the sea is quiet enough to take advantage of all outdoor activities and stunning scenery without worrying about a storm.
Son Tra Peninsula can be reached by taxi, or by renting a motorbike. A good way to explore the peninsula is by motorbike in two directions: Yet Kieu Street and Hoang Sa Street. The roads are safe and low traffic, but scooters and cars with more than 24 seats are not allowed. Plan a bike ride or shuttle bus for winding and vertical slopes. Or you can book a tour to Monkey Mountain Da Nang through Vietnam Escape Tours to have the best experience.