Son Tra Mountain Da Nang: Come explore many interesting facts about monkeys

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The “road of primates” to Son Tra Mountain (Source: Collected)

Hailed as the green lung of Da Nang City, Son Tra Mountain is a worth-visiting spot for any traveler planning to spend their time in Da Nang. Here, tourists can immerse themselves in nature with birds chirping, streams gurgling, and monkeys swinging through the trees.

1. About Son Tra Mountain (Vietnam Monkey Mountain)

• Location: Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City, Vietnam

From the heart of Da Nang City, Son Tra Mountain (widely known as Vietnam Monkey Mountain) can be easily reached within a 35-minute drive. Standing about 700 meters above sea level, the Monkey Mountain stands out with its peaks in view from almost everywhere in Da Nang downtown.

A spectacular view of Son Tra Mountain from afar (Source: Collected)

Not only renowned for the tallest Lady Buddha statue in Southeast Asia, the mountain also gains its popularity for its unique name, the Monkey Mountain. 

As the name suggests, this place is home to many epic monkey species, including the critically endangered red-shanked douc which now can only be found in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Recognised in 1997 as a nature reserve, the 4,370-hectare forest is also home to over 1,000 flora and fauna species. Pristine and verdant, Son Tra Mountain will bring a not-to-be-missed opportunity for hikers to explore, for photophiles to take pictures, and for nature lovers to indulge themselves.

In addition to its natural values, Son Tra Mountain’s historical role is no less significant. With Da Nang on one side and Hai Van Pass on the other, the mountain served as a natural defensive wall that protected Da Nang throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, the importance of Son Tra Mountain as an observation station is still remarkable. Here, there are two radar stations currently in use by the Vietnamese army.

2. The best time to travel to Son Tra Mountain Vietnam

The tourist season in Son Tra Mountain kicks off in the dry season, from March to September. With comfortable weather, this is the ideal time to hit the road to this monkey mountain. Visitors can expect a sunny and windy trip with crystal clear sky that provides a panoramic view from the peaks of Son Tra Mountain. 

As most monkeys are diurnal, they are only active during daytime when the weather is cool. Early mornings from 6 to 9 AM and mid-afternoons from 4 to 6 PM are the most suitable times to come. You can see these primates on your way to the Lady Buddha statue, Linh Ung Pagoda, or even on the major roads.

During the same time period, apart from Son Tra Mountain, there are many other charming places of interest in Da Nang that you can drop by, such as Da Nang Love Bridge, My Khe Beach, Tien Sa Beach, Dragon Bridge, or the nearby Hoi An Ancient Town.

A family of the rare red-shanked douc (Source: Collected)

3. Top 3 awesome experiences that you should try in Son Tra Mountain

3.1. Go for an exciting Son Tra Mountain hike

There are two main routes for a Son Tra mountain hike: 

• The lower route: a tour along the coastline

This route takes more time but will definitely satisfy your eyes with gorgeous beaches and fresh air.

• The upper route: a journey to climb the mountain peaks

For those who want to enjoy extraordinary panoramic views from the peaks, this route is the ideal option. Ban Co Peak (aka Chessboard Peak), the highest point of Son Tra Peninsula, is there for people to conquer.

Many youngsters choose to discover Son Tra Mountain by hiking (Source: Collected)

Along the way, hiking enthusiasts can take pleasure in leafy forest trails. If you are lucky, you can spot some rare plants and animals, such as rhesus monkey, pygmy slow loris, long-tailed macaque, and the aforementioned red-shanked douc.

3.2. Explore the habitat of monkeys on the mountain

On Son Tra Mountain, nothing can be compared with watching the naughty monkeys swing around, hunt for food, and interact with each other.

Seeing is believing. If you are a nature lover, you should seize this opportunity to explore and study about the wild habitat of these smart creatures.

Golden monkeys are one of the most popular primates on Son Tra Mountain (Source: Collected)

4. How to get to Son Tra Mountain Da Nang with ease?

Son Tra Mountain is just 10 kilometers northeast of Da Nang city center, so there are various means of transportation for you to choose from:

• Car: Taking a car ride is undoubtedly the best option for large groups. You can either drive yourself or rent a shuttle bus.
• Bicycle: Bicycle is also a favorite means to travel to this mountain. For those who love to leisurely take in the atmosphere and fresh air, hop on your bike and start pedaling.
• Motorbike: If you want to make your own itinerary, you should choose the motorbike. On Son Tra Mountain, it is easy to get around as the roads have very light traffic. You should rent a bike with manual or semi-automatic transmission to better cope with some steep roads here. 

Tourists will be taken aback by the majestic beauty along the road to Son Tra Mountain (Source: Collected)

5. Useful tips for your forthcoming Son Tra Mountain tour

• Bring hats and sunscreen.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as you may need to walk on sandy and rocky trails to take insta-worthy photos.
• For motorbike travelers, petrol can be easily purchased in Son Tra Peninsula. But if you are still worried about running out of gas, prepare some empty bottles and fill them up with petrol beforehand.
• Phone signals around Son Tra Mountain are quite weak and unstable, so you should consider turning on the GPS on your phone, preparing a map, or hiring a tour guide.
• Don’t overfeed the monkeys.

Tourists to Da Nang often combine their vacation with a visit to Hoi An Ancient Town, which is a must-see UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam and only 30 kilometers away from the city center of Da Nang.

Hoi An Ancient Town is very close to Da Nang (Source: Collected)

If you decide to come to Hoi An Ancient Town, a little traveling of 15 kilometers to the south can provide you an unforgettable experience at VinWonders Nam Hoi An, a top-tier recreational complex with a long list of sensational games and activities to explore. 

At VinWonders Nam Hoi An, entertainment opportunities are endless. For tourists who love adventures, there are indoor and outdoor games such as the Desert Twister or Audition Playoke. For those who love Vietnamese culture, the Island of Folk Culture will be the ideal spot for you to indulge yourself. And there will be so much more for you to discover here.

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VinWonders Nam Hoi An

Exploring Son Tra Mountain definitely deserves a spot in your travel itinerary to Da Nang. The epic natural landscape with sandy beaches and shady forests will surely satisfy any visitor. So, what are you waiting for? Pick a date and pay a visit to the Monkey Mountain today!

Book tickets of VinWonders Nam Hoi An here

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