Visit the Marble Mountains in Vietnam: Da Nang’s Five Limestone Karsts

The Marble Mountains, or Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese, is a group of five limestone mountains just south of Da Nang in coastal Central Vietnam, about 30 minutes by car from Hoi An.

Each named after the five elements, Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth), the Marble Mountains (sometimes also simply referred to as a singular Marble Mountain) comprises a number of sprawling caves, shrines, pagodas, towers and viewpoints. The majority of the tourism landmarks are accessible via the Water Mountain or Thuy Son.

The Marble Mountains were revered during the ancient Cham Kingdom hundreds of years ago, and later frequented by Vietnamese emperors including Emperor Minh Mang (whose tomb is now located in Hue, the former imperial capital) as well as Mahayana Buddhists who established meditation retreats within the mountains.

If you are looking for an incredible day trip from Hoi An or Da Nang consider spending the early morning or late afternoon at this Vietnamese landmark. It offers a mix of adventure, cultural and religious heritage, history and a healthy dose of sweeping views from atop the mountain.

Read on for how to visit the Marble Mountains, but first a few quick general travel tips for visiting Vietnam.

Travel tips for visiting Vietnam

First time to Vietnam? Here’s what you need to know before you go.

The closest airport to the Marble Mountains is Da Nang International Airport. You can apply for a 30 day e-visa from the official Vietnam e-visa website if you hold a passport from one of these 46 countries! If you hold a passport from certain Southeast Asian and European countries you may be eligible to enter visa-free – check this guide for more details.

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong and the exchange rate is approximately US$1: 23,000 VND, 1 Euro: 25,000 VND 15,000 IDR or AU$1: 16,000 VND. There are ATMs in the airport and local banks located outside the departures hall of Da Nang International Airport (after you exit on the left) where you can withdraw or exchange a small sum to get you started (cash is king in Vietnam!), and then you can visit a local ATM or money exchange place once you are in Da Nang or Hoi An. Legitimate currency exchange shops advertise the rates clearly and do not charge a commission.

Buy a local Vietnamese SIM card. The easiest way to do that is via Klook – you can get a 4 GB/day SIM card and pick it up from Da Nang airport on arrival, or you can purchase an eSIM if your phone supports it. Buy your local Vietnam SIM card here.

The best time to visit Da Nang or Hoi An is typically considered to be during the drier months between February to June. From April onwards the heat starts to pick up and the mid-day sun can be sweltering, so come prepared with a hat and plenty of sunscreen – when we visited in early April the temperature reached upwards of 33, 34 degrees Celsius by 10 AM in the morning! The rainy season begins in approximately August and can last all the way through to January, so if your mind is set on climbing the Marble Mountains you should avoid this season as the path and steps will be too slippery.

The landmark is open every day from 7 AM to 5 PM, so the best time to visit the Marble Mountains is typically before 9 AM or after 3 PM to avoid the mid-day sun and tour buses.

What to wear to visit the Marble Mountains: In general, the dress code in Da Nang and Hoi An is fairly relaxed and vacation wear is the norm. However, visitors to the Marble Mountains are advised to abide by a more conservative dress code as it is a religious site. You should wear clothing that covers your legs and shoulders and comfortable walking shoes that are easy to slip on or off as they will need to be removed to enter temple areas.

Flying a drone at the Marble Mountains: You must apply for a license to fly your drone in Vietnam. This process can be expensive and complicated – more details here. If you are a recreational UAV user you may want to leave your drone at home.

Where to stay near the Marble Mountains

You have 2 obvious options when it comes to proximity to the Marble Mountains – either Da Nang or nearby Hoi An. So, should you stay in Da Nang or Hoi An?

Personally, I recommend staying in Hoi An even though some people opt to stay at beach resorts in Da Nang. We loved staying close to the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town of Hoi An – there are so many opportunities to check out quiet coffee shops and cocktail bars tucked away in hidden corners, or wander down lantern-filled streets flanked by heritage buildings.

Looking for the best place to stay in Hoi An? While planning our Hoi An itinerary I researched for hours looking for the best boutique hotels in Hoi An, and eventually settled on the Ann Retreat, located a short 10-minute stroll or a 2-minute bicycle ride from the Ancient Town (also known as the “Hoi An Old Quarter”) and night market.

Not only is it perfectly located (a stone’s throw from the main Hoi An Ancient Town attractions but far from the hordes of tourists), the Executive River Suite room was extremely spacious with its own living room and balcony, and also impeccably clean.

The breakfast buffet is plentiful and delicious (and the spread changes each day), and the pools (one for kids and one for adults) offered much-needed respite from the mid-day heat. Ann Retreat also offers a free scheduled shuttle service to its partner beach club at An Bang beach, and free bicycle rentals (including child seats if needed).

The staff at Ann Retreat were a highlight – everyone was so warm, friendly, helpful and professional. The on-site spa is also fantastic and so reasonably priced – highly recommend the Hoi An signature massage and scalp massage. Click here to check rates and availability at Ann Retreat or head on over here to check out other accommodation options in Hoi An. If you’d rather stay in Da Nang here are some highly-rated accommodation options close to the Marble Mountains.

Looking for more options of where to stay in Hoi An? Here are some other alternatives that we seriously considered during the extensive accommodation research process, but did not stay at because they did not have availability for our travel dates, are adults-only (we traveled with a toddler this time) or did not have specific facilities that we needed (for example, parking, pool, kitchenette etc.). However, these hotels may be a great fit for your stay!

Allegro Hoi An: A quick 5-minute walk away from the Ancient Town and Japanese Covered Bridge, Allegro Hoi An is a luxury hotel with tastefully-decorated rooms. Reviewers love the location – close enough to the Ancient Town and Night Market, but away from the hustle and bustle. The hotel has a pool and shuttle service to the beach for guests. Click here to check availability and rates at Allegro Hoi An.

Little Riverside Hoi An: Located on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Little Riverside is a boutique hotel in Hoi An about 15 minutes away from the heart of the Ancient Town. Consistently receives glowing reviews for helpful staff, a beautiful rooftop pool, fantastic breakfast spread and clean & spacious rooms. Click here to check availability and rates at Little Riverside Hoi An.

Naman Retreat: A world-class wellness retreat with airy, stunning rooms, apartments and villas located about mid-way between Da Nang and Hoi An. Has a private beach area as well as outdoor pool. Perfect for solo travelers or couples traveling to Hoi An or Da Nang. Click here to check availability and rates at Naman Retreat.

How to visit the Marble Mountains

Ready to plan your visit to the Marble Mountains in Da Nang? Here are some basics to help you prepare for your trip to the top.

What’s the best way to see the Marble Mountains? The Marble Mountains is one of the top places to visit in Vietnam and can easily be visited from Da Nang or Hoi An. You can visit the Marble Mountains independently without a guide, or you can also join a group tour. Here are some highly-rated Marble Mountains tours via Klook.

How to get to the Marble Mountains: If you are headed to the Marble Mountains independently, the easiest and quickest way to get there from Da Nang or Hoi An is via Grab (a popular ride-hailing app in Southeast Asia, similar to Uber). Alternatively, you can book transportation via your hotel – we paid 700,000 VND (under US$30 or approximately 27 Euros) for a private driver and car to take us from Hoi An to the Marble Mountains. He waited for nearly 2 hours while we explored and then drove us back to Hoi An as well.

Marble Mountains opening times: The Marble Mountains are open daily from 7 AM to 5 PM.

How much time to spend at the Marble Mountains: To make the most of your time at the Marble Mountains you will want to set aside at least two hours if you only plan on venturing up the Water Mountain (Mount Thuy), more if you want to also explore the others. Head there early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

How much does it cost to go to Marble Mountain? The Marble Mountain entrance fee is 40,000 VND and the fee to use the elevator is 15,000 VND (each way) as of April 2023. Entry into the Am Phu “Hell Cave” requires a separate ticket which costs 20,000 VND, the ticket booth is near the lift. Entry is free for children under 6 years old.

Is it worth taking the lift at the Marble Mountains? I recommend taking the elevator up (15,000 VND each way on top of the 40,000 VND entrance ticket) and the stairs down. The short elevator ride takes you approximately five stories high and cuts out a small portion of the uphill walk, but the walk up (approximately 150 steps) doesn’t take too long if you can be bothered.

Can you visit the Marble Mountains with kids? Yes, you can. But I would advise against visiting the Marble Mountains with very young children – it is not stroller friendly and involves a significant amount of walking. Because of the heat you would also want to avoid having your baby strapped to you in a carrier.

What to see at the Marble Mountains

If you are short on time and happy to stay within the confines of the Water Mountain then you can visit the majority of the sights within two hours without too much difficulty.

The route is clearly mapped out – simply follow the signs to visit the various caves and pagodas. There are also two vistas that you can visit – a smaller peak on the left, and a higher viewpoint on the right which offers sweeping views across Da Nang. Here are some of the top places to visit at the Marble Mountains.

Xa Loi Tower: The multi-tiered Xa Loi Tower houses 200 Buddha statues and is located near the lift at the top of the mountain. It is perfectly framed by swaying trees and wispy leaves.

Linh Ung Pagoda: Dating back to the early 1800s, the Linh Ung Pagoda (one of three in Da Nang) is one of the first landmarks that you’ll reach at the top of the mountain.

This is a spiritual landmark featuring several Buddha statues, quiet courtyards and garden areas.

Walk through the Linh Ung Pagoda to reach the Tang Chon Cave and inner sanctuary.

Tam Thai Pagoda: The stunning tri-gated Tam Thai Pagoda is one of the oldest in Vietnam, dating back more than 400 years.

The tranquil courtyard is worth wandering around as it is home to several centuries-old trees.

Linh Nam Cave: The smaller Linh Nam cave is located near the Tam Thai pagoda.

Worth a quick stop as it is very peaceful and the view looking out of the cave is incredibly unique, but if you are looking for the “crown jewel” of caves at the Marble Mountains then head straight to the next one.

Huyen Khong Cave: Perhaps the most well-known of all the caves at the Marble Mountains, the opening in the roof allows rays of sunshine to illuminate the cavernous space.

Don’t let the small, unassuming entrance fool you – it is home to a large seated Buddha statue, statues of other gods, shrines and altars.

The highest peak: The best viewpoint on Mount Thuy offers a full 360-degree view of the Marble Mountains, Da Nang city and the South China Sea. The highest peak is to the right of the “Relaxation Area”, and while the path up is steep the view is sublime and well worth the hike. If you only have time for one Marble Mountains viewpoint head to the highest peak (Dinh Thuong Thai).

Van Thong Cave: Also known as the “Heaven Cave”, the entrance is an almost perfect oval shape which leads to the first chamber. What makes this cave special is a narrow “tunnel” of sorts which you can climb to reach the peak for more views across Da Nang.

Am Phu Cave: With a separate entrance at the foot of the Water Mountain, the Am Phu Cave (or “Hell Cave”) leads you down into the depths of its subterranean caverns. It won’t take you long to figure out where the name came from: the cave is a representation of Buddhist hell.

Keep walking through to reach a chamber with steep, uneven steps that lead to a small viewpoint – a symbolic “climb” into the light.

Entry into the Am Phu Cave requires a separate ticket which costs 20,000 VND for adults.

Is Marble Mountain worth visiting?

So, are the Marble Mountains worth adding to your Central Vietnam itinerary? Visiting the Marble Mountains is a relatively easy day trip from Da Nang or Hoi An – it is located near the city centre which means that you don’t have to factor in a long travel time (unlike day trips to other places like Hue or the Cham Islands).

The transportation and entry fees are inexpensive for some of the best views in Central Vietnam, and if you time your visit strategically you can avoid the crowds and tour buses.

The caves, shrines and pagodas are brilliantly preserved and you would be hard pressed to find another landmark which offers so much to see in just a few hours.

The only issues that may affect whether or not you visit the Marble Mountains is if you are traveling with young children, elderly people or anyone with mobility issues as there is a fair bit of walking to be done, even if you do take advantage of the lift. I would also advise against planning a Marble Mountains day trip on a rainy day as the steps and paths can be very slippery and unsafe.

Ready to book your Hoi An trip? I recommend checking out Ann Retreat for a boutique hotel in Hoi An – the staff are so warm and welcoming, and we loved the huge and impeccably clean rooms. The staff helped us book all sorts of tours and transportation, and we made full use of their free bicycle rentals every day. We would happily go back and would recommend Ann Retreat to couples, solo travelers and families traveling with children. Check out the rates and availability at Ann Retreat or check out some other highly-rated Hoi An hotel options here.

We also considered staying at Allegro Hoi An (a 5-minute walk away from the Ancient Town and Japanese Covered Bridge), Little Riverside Hoi An (a boutique hotel in Hoi An with a beautiful rooftop pool) and Naman Retreat (a luxury wellness retreat located about mid-way between Da Nang and Hoi An).

I hope this Marble Mountains guide helps you plan your perfect adventure day in Central Vietnam!

You may also enjoy these reads about traveling to Vietnam:

• For more day trip ideas read this guide on how to plan a day trip to Hue
• Heading to Hoi An? Here are my best tips for avoiding the crowds in Hoi An, what to see and where to stay
• Also Visiting Hanoi in the north? Click here for my quick guide to what to see and where to eat in Hanoi
• Looking for more Southeast Asia travel tips? Click here for 10 things you should know before you visit Southeast Asia

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