Hoi An: Marble Mountains & Linh Ung Pagoda Day Trip

Stone steps lead to caves, then monkeys greet you at Vietnam's tallest Buddha

You climb carved stone steps through Marble Mountains to explore caves and pagodas, watch sculptors at work in a 300-year-old village, eat lunch with a local family, walk through Am Phu cave to learn Buddhist philosophy, then visit Linh Ung Pagoda to see Vietnam's tallest Buddha statue and spot monkeys in the trees. Hotel pickup, all entry tickets, and an English-speaking guide are included, and the full day takes you from morning to late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Marble Mountains5h · entry included
2. Son Tra Night Market2h

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 Da Nang or Hoi An

The experience

The sound of chisels hitting marble echoes through the village before you even see the sculptors at work. At the foot of Marble Mountains (five limestone and marble hills that rise like fingers from the coast near Da Nang) craftsmen have been carving for over 300 years, and the stone dust still hangs in the air. Your guide picks you up from your Hoi An hotel in the morning and drives you straight to the base, where you'll watch artisans shape everything from Buddha statues to decorative panels, their hands moving with the kind of precision that only comes from generations doing the same work.

Then you climb. The stone steps are carved directly into the mountain, and there are a lot of them: the path winds up through caves and grottos, past Buddhist sanctuaries and Hindu shrines tucked into the rock. The views open up as you go higher, and by the time you reach the viewing points, you can see the whole curve of the coast. After descending, you'll have lunch with a local family, not in a restaurant but in their home, which changes how the meal tastes. The conversation happens slowly, through your guide, and you learn things about daily life in the area that no menu could tell you. Vietnamese lunch is included, along with the chance to ask questions and sit for a while without rushing.

The afternoon takes you to Am Phu cave, sometimes called the hell cave, where Buddhist philosophy and local folklore blend in the rock formations and carved scenes. Your guide explains the symbolism as you walk through, and it's one of those moments where the place itself teaches you something. Then the tour moves to Monkey Mountain, where Linh Ung Pagoda sits high enough that the 67-meter Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue (the Lady Buddha, the tallest in Vietnam) dominates the skyline. If you're lucky, monkeys move through the trees around the pagoda. They're used to visitors but still wild, and watching them while standing in front of that enormous statue is the kind of detail that stays with you. You have time to photograph, rest, and take in the panoramic view of Da Nang spread below. The drive back to your hotel in Hoi An or Da Nang closes the day.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Hoi An or Da Nang in an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking tour guide, entry to Marble Mountains and the marble sculpture village, Vietnamese lunch with a local family, entry to Am Phu cave, entry to Linh Ung Pagoda on Monkey Mountain, bottled water throughout the day, and return transfer to your hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (10 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 80 years) · Youth (8 to 9 years) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Simply Vietnam Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the main sights around Da Nang and Hoi An without arranging transport, tickets, or timing yourself: the fixed itinerary and included lunch with locals handle all of that, leaving you to focus on the caves, the statues, and the views.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 9 years); Child (4 to 7 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Marble Mountains day trip from Hoi An?

The tour runs from morning pickup through late afternoon return, typically 8–9 hours including lunch and all stops.

Is the climb up Marble Mountains difficult?

There are many stone steps carved into the mountain. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, but is suitable for all other fitness levels.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup from Hoi An or Da Nang, English-speaking guide, all entrance tickets to Marble Mountains and Linh Ung Pagoda, Vietnamese lunch with a local family, air-conditioned vehicle, and bottled water.

Will I see monkeys at Monkey Mountain?

Monkeys live around Linh Ung Pagoda on Monkey Mountain, though sightings are not guaranteed. The tour notes you may see them if you're lucky.

Is lunch at a restaurant or somewhere else?

Lunch is with a local family, not in a restaurant, giving you a chance to talk with locals and experience a more personal meal.

How tall is the Buddha statue at Linh Ung Pagoda?

The Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue is 67 meters tall and is the highest Buddha statue in Vietnam.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, the tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers due to the climbing and physical demands.

What is Am Phu cave?

Am Phu cave, also called the hell cave, combines Buddhist philosophy with local folklore. Your guide explains the symbolism and teachings as you walk through.