On the southern edge of the town you will find five scattered limestone mountains that rise out of the surrounding, relatively flat coastal terrain. The marble mountains have become a popular attraction among tourists for the beautiful views and interesting temples that are located inside the mountains in caves and on their slopes.

The Marble Mountains are a popular half-day excursion from the centre of Da Nang, and organised tours between Hue and Hoi An often stop at them.

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Five Marble Giants

In total, there are five marble mountains in Da Nang, named by the Vietnamese emperor Minh Mang after the five elements of Eastern philosophy.

However, only one of the mountains, Thuy Son (Mountain of Water), is the most famous tourist spot. In its bowels and caves you can discover many bizarre Hindu temples, while the top of the mountain is covered with various pagodas and lookouts.

The complex is divided into two parts, which often confuses ignorant tourists. There is a separate entrance fee for both parts. Immediately at the parking lot you will find the entrance to the Am Phu cave, which is supposed to depict hell and is filled with bizarre statues and reliefs of tortured unfortunates. This cave is one-way and there is no way up through it.

To the right of the car park you will walk to the entrance of the second section. From here you can go up the stairs or use the fast elevator. After climbing up the marble mountain, you will find several viewpoints, temples, pagodas and other caves.

Entrance fees and opening hours

Thuy Son Marble Mountain is open every day from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

To enter the main part you pay 40 000 vnd, the fee for the elevator is 15 000 vnd. Beware, the ticket office here is notorious for scamming tourists by giving them back a different note (of much lower value).

A special ticket to Am Phu Cave costs 20 000 vnd and can be bought at a small kiosk to the left of the cave entrance.