The Best Itinerary for Son Tra Peninsula Scenic Loop

To fully experience the Son Tra Peninsula loop, choosing the right transport and route is essential. Because the road stretching from Chessboard Peak (Ban Co) down to the Intercontinental Resort is closed to cars and vans- and operates strictly as a one-way downhill path – visitors must complete the circuit counterclockwise, starting from the eastern side, heading up to the peak, and descending along the southern coast. You can navigate this section by bicycle, open-top jeep, or motorbike. However, strictly enforced local traffic safety regulations prohibit automatic scooters (xe tay ga) from climbing the mountain, meaning manual or semi-automatic motorbikes (xe so) are required to complete the full loop.

Timing and weather conditions will make or break your trip. Always check the forecast before setting off, as rain, heavy clouds, or fog eliminate the scenic views and make the steep, winding mountain roads dangerously slick. For safety reasons, avoid driving after dark and begin your ascent by 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM at the latest. If you start late in the afternoon, skip the full loop and opt for a shorter alternative: either drive up to Chessboard Peak and return the same way, or stick to the coastal road running between Linh Ung Pagoda and the Intercontinental Resort.

Distance: 28 kilometers

Starting point: The small temple at Hoang Sa – Le Van Luong crossroad (entrance of Son Tra Peninsula/Monkey Mountain).

The itinerary: 

 1. Go along Le Van Luong Road and turn right at crossroad of Luong Huu Khanh (location of Google maps: 16°06’27.7″N 108°15’42.0″E). Sometimes you can see long-tailed macaques. Please do not feed them.

2. Go straight, along the mountain side until the end (another road – the main road to the peak, location on Google maps: 16°06’49.5″N 108°14’46.9″E). On the left hand side of this hillside road, it’s possible to see Da Nang city with the beach, boulevards, residential blocks and high rise buildings, bridges (like Thuan Phuoc Bridge aross the estuary of the Han River), Tho Quang Fishing Harbour – the largest in central Vietnam region, Tien Sa Port – the busiest cargo port in central Vietnam region, Da Nang Bay,…. 

3. Turn right, go straight (uphill) and will see the security booth after 2 kilometers. Because of a higher locatition, the city view is more impressive. If lucky enough, visitors can see red shanked douc langurs, one of the rarest primate species in the world and only found in Vietnam. 

4. Keep going uphill, and after 2 kilometers, can find Boom Boom Rock in the bush to the left, a prominent lookout and makeshift gathering spot for U.S. servicemen during the Vietnam War. Stationed soldiers frequently painted military emblems, dates, and slogans onto the boulder, turning it into an iconic landmark of war-era camaraderie overlooking the Da Nang coastline. See more information & details

5. Keep going uphill, and after 1 kilometer, will see a lookout building (nha vong canh) to the left (near this crossroad on Google maps: 16°08’06.0″N 108°14’44.6″E). From here, visitors catch a beautiful view to whole Da Nang Bay with cloudy mountains of Hai Van Pass and Son Cha Island stretching along the horizon.

On the nearby hill, there is Son Tra Radar Station 1, established by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War in 1962, earning the nickname “Indochina’s God’s Eye” due to its strategic peak location that could monitor airspace stretching from Indochina to Hainan Island. Today, the facility is operated by the Vietnamese military and civil aviation authorities for continuous regional air defense and radar surveillance, maintaining its historic role high above Da Nang. See more information & details

6. Keep going uphill, and after 1.7 kilometers, will see the Son Tra Radar Station 2 (to the left) and the former/abandoned US helicopter airport. Invested by the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) and featuring advanced Spanish technology, construction on the Son Tra 2 Radar Station began in early 2015 to modernize civil and military aviation surveillance. Official operations commenced in July 2016, giving the new facility a 450-kilometer coverage range to safely monitor flight paths across Vietnam’s FIR (Flight Information Region) and the East Sea. See more information & details

7. Keep going uphill, and after 2 kilometers, will come to Ban Co Peak. It offers breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of Da Nang’s sprawling coastline, bridges, and lush jungle. Visitors will also find the iconic life-sized statue of the deity De Thich seated at a stone chessboard, inspired by a famous ancient legend about a celestial game played high above the clouds. See more information & details

8. Keep going straight, and after 1 kilometer, will see a crossroad (16°07’08.8″N 108°16’41.2″E on Google maps), turn right (go downhill) to continue the loop. Pass by facilities of the Da Nang Radio and Television Station.

9. Keep going downhill, through dense forests of the Son Tra Nature Reserve, and after 5.5 kilometers, will see the Intercontinental Resort. This is home to incredible biodiversity, most notably the endangered red-shanked douc langur, often dubbed the “queen of primates” for its striking, colorful coat. Beyond wildlife spotting, visitors can expect sweeping mountain-to-sea vistas, ancient heritage trees, and winding trails shrouded in lush jungle foliage and mountain mist. See more information & details

The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is a luxury 5-star beachfront retreat nestled within the lush rainforest of Monkey Mountain. Designed by architect Bill Bensley, the resort blends traditional Vietnamese heritage with striking contemporary architecture across a dramatic multi-level cliffside overlooking a private bay.

10. Turn right to see Hoang Sa Road, follow it, and after 6 kilometers, will see the giant Lady Buddha and Linh Ung Pagoda complex. This coastal route is winding, packed with great views to the sea, the city, and Cham Islands. The best spot to take a photo is Mui Sung (cape), and the best time of the day to be here is the sunset. See more information & details

The next highlight is Linh Ung (Bai But) Pagoda, the city’s largest temple complex, celebrated for its serene ocean views and harmonious traditional architecture. Its defining feature is the towering 67-meter Lady Buddha statue, the tallest in Vietnam, standing majestically on a lotus pedestal facing the sea to symbolise peace and protection for the region. See more information & details

11. After sightseeing Linh Ung Pagoda, keep going towards the city by the coastal road. After 1 minute from the pagoda, there is a popular spot to enjoy the city view and take pictures (monkeys often appear here). If interested, visitors can see Dong Dinh Museum and have a cup of Vietnamese coffee at its cafe (sure with a good view). 

The another cafe with a view (Instagrammable cafe) is the Son Tra Marina. This is a striking, Santorini-style cafe with signature blue-and-white architecture and terrace that offers front-row views across the ocean toward the city skyline, making it a popular scenic stop for drinks and sunset photo opportunities. See more information & details

12. Go back to Hoang Sa – Le Van Luong crossroad to end the loop.

HOIAN DAY TRIP has guided tours with Son Tra Peninsula scenic loop from Da Nang – Hoi An:

Tour 1: https://hoiandaytrip.com/son-tra-peninsula-motorbike-tour/

Tour 2: https://hoiandaytrip.com/son-tra-peninsula-jeep-tour/

Tour 3: https://hoiandaytrip.com/son-tra-peninsula-tour/

To book, contact us by +84968009827 (WhatsApp) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com

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