Marble Mountains

"Firstly you have two options when buying a ticket. You can walk up all the steps or take the lift up which is good if for whatever reason you aren't able. I was impressed by the various temples and caves all on one mountain. You will reach a certain cave near the top where you climb up through a small hole and not everyone will feel brave enough to attempt this but once through the hole the path on the other side leads to the top of the mountain and amazing views.
All along the way up to the top you can also purchase drinks. I for example asked for a coconut. The lady grabbed her machete cut off the top stuck a straw in job done and it's so refreshing so I would recommend it after climbing those steps. Also when you do walk back down pop into one of the many marble shops it's worth looking at some of it even if you aren't buying."

Thuy Son - Marble Mountains

          The Marble Mountains - are located 9 km from the center of Da Nang. You have to drive south on the famous boulevard Truong Sa. It is one of the most popular attractions of the region. It is a group of five marble and limestone mountains, named after the five elements of ancient oriental philosophy: metal (Kim), wood (Moc), water (Thuy), fire (Hoa) and earth (Tho). These mountains have a complex system of caves and tunnels. In the past they were used as shelters and it was an important base for the Vietcong.


These five mountains include the Thuy Son, the mountain water. It is the highest and the most important among the five mountains. Almost all tourists come to Marble Mountains to climb the Thuy Son. This mountain has many caves and Buddhist temples, of which many are built in the 17th century.

The climb starts with 150 steps leading uphill to the top of the Thuy Son. This is the only mountain in the Marble Mountains, which is open to visitors. Upstairs you have the best vantage point, that the mountain is rich. They call this place: Riverview Tower or Tower Vong Giang in Vietnamese. Here you have a wonderful view of China Beach, Truong Giang, Cam Le rivers and on the Kim Son (Metal Mountain). The tower on the Thuy Son was built in the 18th century by Emperor Minh Mang and it has spectacular views. There are a number of tunnels and caves, including Huyen Khong and Tang Chon, and many Hindu and Buddhist temples, the Tam Thai Pagoda, built in 1825, the Tu Tam and the Linh Ung and tower of Pho Dong. The temples and caves include sculptures and depictions of religious scenes carved in marble.

Visitors to the Marble Mountains also want to visit the village of Non Nuoc at the foot of Marble Mountains. The village is famous for its stone carvings and handicrafts. Here you can buy many souvenirs that are made of marble, from small earrings, necklaces, to vases and huge statues of Buddha.

In the Cave

The mountains were close to the American Marble Mountain Airport during the Vietnam War. According to the locals the Marble Mountains contained a hospital for the Viet Cong, probably within earshot of the US Airport and China Beach (the airport was facing the mountains on the side). The Americans were almost certain ignorance, that the hospital of the enemy was so close.
The caves in the mountains still have many secrets, holes that were used by the Vietcong to spy the American soldiers, who were relaxing and chilling on China Beach.

Minh Mang Tombe

From a travelogue:

"We did a day tour out to the mountains and was suprised how many temples and caves there actually are to explore on this mountain. Very well set up, even those there's lots of tourists there its very spread out. Lots of caves with temples inside them. You can walk right up to the top of the mountain and have excellent views out over Da Nang. If it's your thing, there's lots of shops selling marble products surrounding the mountains."