Da Nang & Hoi An: Marble Mountains, Am Phu Cave & Monkey Mountain Day Trip

Summary

Marble steps, cave echoes & Da Nang’s Lady Buddha on a day trip

You’ll climb ancient marble steps in Da Nang, touch cool stone inside hidden caves, share laughter over homemade Vietnamese lunch with locals, and look up at Vietnam’s tallest Lady Buddha statue on Monkey Mountain. This day trip from Hoi An or Da Nang brings quiet moments and unexpected warmth — you might find yourself thinking about them long after.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect my shoes to slip a little on those first marble steps — they’re worn smooth from so many feet. Our guide, Minh, grinned and showed us how to hold the rail. The air smelled faintly of incense as we climbed up into Marble Mountains, and honestly, I was out of breath way sooner than I wanted to admit. But then you step into these cool caves where sunlight cuts in weird angles and someone’s always softly chanting or lighting a candle. Minh pointed out carvings I would’ve missed — one looked like a dragon curling behind a Buddha statue. He told us the mountain’s five peaks are named for the elements, which sounded poetic but also kind of made sense when you’re standing there feeling rock under your hand and hearing birds somewhere outside.

After wandering through the marble village (the chiseling sound is almost hypnotic), we had lunch with a local family. It wasn’t fancy — just bowls of noodles and something spicy that made me cough (everyone laughed, including me). There’s this easy warmth in Vietnamese homes; people keep pressing more food into your hands even if you’re full. Then we went to Am Phu cave, which Minh called “the hell cave.” It’s darker than I expected and cooler too, with statues that look almost alive in the dim light. He explained some Buddhist stories about karma and humanity — heavy stuff but somehow comforting when you’re surrounded by all that stone.

The last stop was Monkey Mountain. The wind up there is sharp — it stings your face a bit but wakes you up after lunch. Linh Ung Pagoda is huge, but it’s the Lady Buddha statue that really gets you; she stands 67 meters tall and seems to watch over everything below. We saw a few monkeys darting around (one tried to steal someone’s water bottle — no luck). That view over Da Nang is still stuck in my head: city on one side, sea on the other, haze blurring the edges. On the way back I just watched the sky change colors through the van window and thought about how strange it is to feel both tired and kind of peaceful at once.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marble Mountains and Monkey Mountain tour

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Marble Mountains caves and pagoda
• Explore marble sculpture village
• Have Vietnamese lunch with local family
• Visit Am Phu (Hell) cave
• Travel to Monkey Mountain
• Visit Linh Ung pagoda and Lady Buddha statue
• Enjoy panoramic views and relax
• Return to hotel in Hoi An or Da Nang

Top questions

How long does the Marble Mountains & Monkey Mountain day trip take?

The tour runs for most of the day, starting in the morning with hotel pickup and returning in the afternoon or early evening.

Is lunch included in this Da Nang day tour?

Yes, a traditional Vietnamese lunch with a local family is included in the tour.

Are entrance fees covered for Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave?

All entrance tickets are included in your booking price.

Will there be an English-speaking guide?

An English-speaking tour guide leads the group throughout the day.

Is hotel pickup available from both Hoi An & Da Nang?

Yes, pickup is offered from hotels in both Hoi An and Da Nang.

What should I wear for climbing Marble Mountains?

Wear comfortable shoes suitable for climbing stone steps; some areas can be slippery.

Can travelers with mobility issues join this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to stairs and uneven ground.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Hoi An or Da Nang, all entrance tickets for Marble Mountains, Am Phu Cave, and Linh Ung Pagoda on Monkey Mountain, an English-speaking guide throughout, bottled water to keep you going between stops, air-conditioned transport for comfort (trust me — it helps), plus a homemade Vietnamese lunch with a local family before heading back to your hotel.