Da Nang tour: Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains & Hoi An highlights

Row a basket boat through coconut forest, climb into mountain caves, and walk lantern-lit streets in one day

A full-day guided tour of Da Nang covers four distinct stops: the 67-meter Lady Buddha statue atop Son Tra peninsula, the Marble Mountains with their Buddhist caves and stone carving village, a hands-on basket boat ride in Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle, and Hoi An Ancient Town with its Chinese and Japanese heritage architecture. The tour includes entrance fees, both lunch and dinner, an air-conditioned vehicle, and an English-speaking guide; hotel pickup is included. The Marble Mountains involve climbing 146 steps to the first viewpoint and 136 more to reach the cave system, though an elevator covers the first section at your own cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Da Nang and Hoi An highlights

• Visit Linh Ung Pagoda and Lady Buddha
• Explore Marble Mountains and Non-Nuoc Village
• Enjoy Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle and basket boat
• Tour Hoi An Ancient Town and local market
• Dine on Hoi An specialty food
• Return to Da Nang

The Experience

The day starts with a 60-minute drive to Son Tra peninsula, where the Linh Ung Pagoda sits 693 meters above sea level. The Lady Buddha — a 67-meter statue of the Goddess of Mercy — stands on a lotus-shaped platform ringed by 21 miniature Buddha sculptures. The height and the peninsula location mean views of the surrounding sea frame the stop, and the drive back gives you time to settle before the next site.

The Marble Mountains come next. You'll walk through caves, explore Buddhist pagodas, and absorb the differences between Buddhism and Hinduism that shaped the site. The climb involves 146 steps to the first stop (Xa Loi Tower), then 136 more to the cave system — an elevator handles the first section if you choose to use it, though there's a small fee. After exploring, you move to the Non-Nuoc Stone Carving Village to watch artisans at work and pick up souvenirs. Lunch happens here, giving you time to rest between the physical sections.

Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle breaks the day open. You spend an hour in the peaceful green space of the forest, rowing a traditional basket boat and trying your hand at round net and cast net fishing — the hands-on part is what stays with most travelers. The 30-minute drive to Hoi An follows, and by late afternoon you're walking the narrow streets of the Ancient Town. You'll see the Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Pagoda, and Phung Hung ancient house, and the market fills with lantern light as evening sets in. Local dinner happens here before the 60-minute drive back to Da Nang.

What’s included

• The tour includes entrance fees to all four sites.
• a basket boat ride through Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle.
• mineral water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport with hotel pickup.
• Vietnamese lunch at the Marble Mountains and Hoi An local dinner.
• and an English-speaking guide for the full 9 hours.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Venus Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want four distinct stops—pagoda, mountains, coconut jungle, and ancient town—in one day with a guide handling logistics; the Marble Mountains section involves real climbing, so you need moderate fitness for the full itinerary.

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Top questions

How many steps do I climb at the Marble Mountains?

The Marble Mountains require 146 steps to reach the first viewpoint (Xa Loi Tower) and then 136 more steps to the cave system. An elevator covers the first 146 steps if you prefer not to climb, available at your own cost.

What's included in the tour price?

Entrance fees to all sites, a basket boat ride at Cam Thanh, mineral water, air-conditioned vehicle transport, both Vietnamese lunch and Hoi An local dinner, and an English-speaking guide are all included. Hotel pickup is also included.

What do I actually do at Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle?

At Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle you row a traditional basket boat through the peaceful forest, and you can try hands-on fishing with round nets and cast nets — the basket boat experience is the centerpiece of the stop.

How long does the full tour take?

The tour runs 9 hours total, including all driving, stops, meals and walking time. The longest single stop is Hoi An Ancient Town at 150 minutes of exploration time.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

Children are welcome from age 1, and infants can sit on an adult's lap. Children under 4 years old riding the basket boat incur an extra fee of 75,000 VND per child.

What should I know about the physical demands?

The tour involves moderate walking and climbing, particularly at the Marble Mountains. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy; you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.