Marble Mountain Vietnam: A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Da Nang

Marble Mountain is one of the most beautiful places in Da Nang City. This great locale combines majestic caves, an azure sea, and woods shrouded in mystery, allowing for an out-of-this-world experience. Natural beauty aside, the Marble Mountains are an important cultural and religious site for Vietnamese Buddhists. If you plan on visiting Da Nang, the Marble Mountains deserve to be on your must-visit list.

Written by Huan NGUYENUpdated on 10-04-2025

Comments

Overview of Marble Mountain in Vietnam

Marble Mountain or Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese is situated about 8 km in the Ngu Hanh Son District, from the center of Danang City. After thousands and thousands of years of wind, water, and weathering action, it portrays the beautiful natural landscape that the Danang area has to offer. The balance between nature and cultural life and spiritual life invites more and more travelers every year.

The Marble Mountain, with five hills, symbolized the harmony of nature and spirituality. The five hills represent the five elements in Eastern philosophy:

• Thuy Son (the water hill),
• Hoa Son (the hill of fire),
• Moc Son (the wooden hill),
• Kim Son (the metal hill),
• Tho Son (the hill of earth).

All of the mountains made of marble, Thuy Son is the highest and most splendid, with an altitude of about 106 m and an area of almost 94,000 m², where most caves and temples are found. Attracting many tourists, this scenic view is known for existing caves like Huyen Khong Cave, Huyen Vi Cave, Van Thong Cave, and rich flora and fauna.

Your Guide to Activities and Places to Visit at Marble Mountain

The summit of Thuy Son, the tallest and prettiest of the five hills, was not left out as part of a visit to Marble Mountain. There are stairs and trails for much safer ascendancy to the top.

At the summit of Thuy Son, you will be astonished by its own unique natural beauty across the whole of Marble Mountain. Beautiful sights of the whole city around the beaches and a poetic atmosphere further enrich it.

Mount Thuy Son is a series of caves and pagodas, all of which represent at once the natural and religious harmonies of Vietnam. One must see these places on this hill, Thuy Son.

Huyen Khong Cave – The Most Beautiful Cave in Marble Mountain, Vietnam

• Opening time: 07:00 - 18:00.
• Entrance ticket: 40,000 VND/adult, free for children.

Huyen Khong Cave at Mount Thuy Son is among the most charming places to visit in the Marble Mountains. At the entrance to the cave, you feel the freshness of the air and a calm atmosphere surrounding you. The sunlight from the five holes casts an ambiance unique to this cave, commonly known as a natural air conditioner.

Visitors can see centuries-old stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as majestic Buddha statues and offerings from devotees. You will be stunned by the astonishing statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, carved in 1960 by stone artist Non Nuoc Nguyen Chat.

Ways to Huyen Khong Cave are along the trails of Thuy Son Hill. Carry a powerful flashlight and wear comfortable shoes, for dark moments kick in there.

Hell Cave – The Most Mysterious Cave in Marble Mountain

• Adult ticket: 20,000 VND, free for children

Perched against the slopes of Thuy Son Mountain, Am Phu Cave is the largest and longest cave in Marble Mountain. Although the name suggests otherwise, "Cave of Hell" creates a mystery and lingering sense of wonder, a beautiful blend of meanings that convey to tourists the teachings of the Buddha.

The way into the cave branches off into two paths: one leading upward gradually into picturesque views of the East Sea and surrounding gentle hills from the "celestial peak," while the other winds down into the dark and cold depths of the cave. Inside the cave, visitors can marvel at the statue of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha and the statuary of the guardian deities who preside over the nine levels of hell and the twelve gates of hell.

At the entrance, it is a little bit narrow in order for the traveler to duck into; therefore, visitors must follow a path through dark tunnels and narrow corridors that feature sculptures representing karma, statues of demons, and sinister characters that represent different stages of descending into hell. This cold environment with dim, flickering light greatly adds to the mystique and atmosphere of Am Phu Cave.

Tam Thai Pagoda

Tam Thai Pagoda is an ancient edifice erected in the early seventeenth century, situated on the Thuy Son Mountain. In Tam Thai's ancestral area, visitors can find different types of rare relics, including six bronze bells and bronze statues of Buddhas.

While strolling through the temple, visitors can feel blessed inner peace and immerse themselves in the ambiance of this holy place.

Linh Ung Pagoda

• Operating hours: 06:30–17:30
• Admission: Free

The city of Danang is home to three Linh Ung Pagodas situated on Marble Mountain, Son Tra Peninsula, and Ba Na Hills Ecotourism Area.

Linh Ung Pagoda on Thuy Son Mountain, while not as well known as the one on the Son Tra Peninsula, does possess more spiritual values and iconic architecture in history. With its majestic construction, blue tile stovepipe-like rooftops, and stone column with unique facets, vistas of the city of Da Nang and the East Sea will be quite breathtaking indeed.

At Linh Ung Pagoda, you can find around 200 figures of the Buddha and ancient stone figures. Prominent in the pagoda complex is the white statue of Buddha, 10 meters tall, and the 7-storey Xa Loi Tower, which reaches a height of 28 meters.

Museum of Buddhist Culture

• Visiting Hours: 7.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
• Cost: Free

On the slopes of Mount Kim Son, and inaugurated in 2016, the Museum of Buddhist Culture is the first Buddhist museum in Vietnam. It houses collections of more than 500 rare and valuable artefacts associated with Buddhism.

The collection of the museum must be regarded as the one that has been continuously built up by the abbots of the pagodas. It contains many collections that are reflective of Vietnamese Buddhist art, and also that from many other countries in the Asian region. Bhagwan idols and worship objects of different periods and geographical locations, including ancient objects from the 7th century till the late 19th to 20th centuries, are also kept in the museum.

It is an absolute veritable treasure for Buddhist and traditional Vietnamese culture, attracting those who are passionate about this very thousand-year heritage.

Marble Mountain Climbing

Marble Mountain is an adventure that you shouldn't miss from your tour. It has a new outlook of the mountains with either climbing or abseiling with a drop of 25–35 meters. While climbing or coming down the mountain, you will encounter a very nice experience as you hang in the middle of nature and move along the safety cable.

Rock climbing Ngu Hanh Son offers a great deal of adventure. You'll be swinging from one rugged peak to another, with a stretching view of the mountains and trees on one side and several miles of coastline on the other. That will surely be a one-time experience for the sensory organs.

Our tips for visiting the Marble Mountain

Make a plan regarding Marble Mountain. Here are some essential considerations:

• Time: Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to go to Marble Mountain. These times allow people to avoid very hot temperatures. Bring plenty of drinking water to the tour. Always think about the sun and bring along sunscreen.
• Engage a guide: A guide around Marble Mountain would allow one to better understand and appreciate the historical legends and religious stories behind the monuments.
• Wear comfortable shoes: Marble Mountain consists of five mountains with trails that could be steep and slippery, so it will be wise to walk in comfortable walking shoes to avoid injuries.
• Observe the local cultures: Marble Mountain is considered one important cultural site for local people. Therefore, it would be important to respect their customs and traditions by wearing decent clothes and not interrupting the religious ceremonies.

Take good care of nature's environment: Marble Mountain is a protected natural site, and it is also important not to leave any refuse behind and to respect nature by not disturbing any wild animals.

Our Final Words

Marble Mountain is actually an inherent tourist attraction in Danang, with the natural and mysterious landscapes pulling many visitors to discover it. With these tips, you are set to so-called a pleasant visit at Marble Mountain: either you're one in search of adventure, culture, or just a pretty view, the magic will not disappoint at all. After appreciating the beauty and heritage of the area, do take time out to indulge in its natural scenery. Happy trails!

>>> Also discover the other must-see sites in Da Nang:

• My Son Sanctuary: A Cultural Treasure Near Hoi An
• Da Nang: 7 Questions Before Visiting the Most Pleasant City in Vietnam