Marble Mountain Vietnam

[Fairy Dawdy]

Allof the mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels, and it is possible to climb to the summit of Mount Thủy. Several Buddhist sanctuaries can also be found within the mountains, making this a tourist destination.

The area is known for stone sculpture making and stone-cutting crafts. Direct rock extraction from the mountains was banned recently. Materials are now being transported from quarries in Quảng Nam Province.

The mountains were very near the American Marble Mountain Air Facility during the Vietnam War. According to William Broyles Jr., the Marble Mountains contained a hospital for the Vietcong, probably within earshot of the American air field and Da Nang Beach (which bordered the air field on the side opposite the mountains). He describes the enemy as having been so "certain of our ignorance [...] that he had hidden his hospital in plain sight".[2]

The Marble Mountains are home to several Buddhist and Hindu grottoes. A stairway of 156 steps leads to the summit of Thuy Son, the only Marble Mountain accessible to visitors. It allows a wide panoramic view of the surrounding area and the other marble mountains. There are a number of grottoes, including Huyen Khong and Tang Chon, and many Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries, the temples of Tam Thai, Tu Tam and Linh Ung, and the pagoda of Pho Dong. The sanctuaries feature statues and relief depictions of religious scenes carved out of the marble.

Most tourism comes from day trips from Da Nang and Hoi An as it lies almost directly in the middle of the two. This option is fine and still worth the time invested, but by the time most tours arrive the destination is already packed. I wanted to view this place without the hordes of tourists and constant chatter.

As day trips are the main form of touring the Marble Mountains of Vietnam, and wanting to travel straight to Hoi An afterward, the issue of luggage storage arose. Nothing online I was able to dig up confirmed or denied any type of storage facility at Marble Mountains. As well as my luggage storage, this taxi was supposed to then make the trip to Hoi An. This was confirmed possible by the internet and hostel staff, but without a fixed rate, it would be more than double the price suggested online.

It was around a 1km walk to the secondary, more secluded, almost secret entrance of the Marble Mountains. The whole side street approaching the entrance was littered with marble statue shops, as this area is renowned for crafting out of the rock. Even though marble extraction directly from these mountains is now illegal. Early morning sunshine gleaned from the smooth, polished surfaces of stone chiseled into figures of Deities and mythical beasts.

After the entrance fee of 40,000VND ($1.70 USD) was handed over, it was time for the all-important question of luggage storage. The attendant just pointed behind her, like there was never a reason to worry. No lockers, no key, my backpack just laid on the corner behind a desk.

As I explored, a couple of hours had passed quickly. Slowly edging towards the main entry and exit point, the crowds began to filter in. By the time Xa Loi Tower was in sight, marking the main gate, trying to take pictures without a random person in it was next to impossible. Quiet had turned to chatter and scuffling of shoes filing through to the sites. Get there early!

The Marble Mountains Vietnam, just 15 km north of Hoi An are a magical-looking place with gateways leading into the sides of mountains, and little houses and shrines ensconced in cool grottos. The road leading there from Hoi An is wide and paved, which makes it an incredibly easy motorbike ride away.

The Marble Mountains are made up of five towering limestone peaks, each one named after one of the elements. The largest, Thuy Son (Water Mountain), has the highest concentration of pagodas and natural caves and each grotto is full of sculptures and beautiful carvings.

Thuy Son is very large and you need at least a couple of hours to explore it. We were there for 3 hours, and sped through a lot of it. We should have packed a lunch to be able to stay and enjoy it at a more leisurely pace. The interior of the mountain is full of marble that has been extracted and made into statues (mostly of Buddhas), as well as carvings done right in to the walls.

There is a 15,000 vnd charge to enter Hell Cave, and a 15,000 vnd charge for the rest of Thuy Son. The rest of the area is free and open to the public. There are a lot of stairs to get to the top of the mountain, and a lot of walking once you are up there, so make sure your shoes are comfortable! There is a lot to see and it can get rather confusing when walking from cave to pagoda to cave again so this map is quite helpful when exploring.

For the uninitiated, the Marble Mountains is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngũ Hnh Sơn District, south of Da Nang city in Vietnam. According to Wikipedia, The five mountains are named after the five elements: Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth). All of the mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels, and it is possible to climb to the summit of Mt. Thuy. Several Buddhist sanctuaries can also be found within the mountains, making this a famous tourist destination. The area is famous for stone sculpture making and stone-cutting crafts. Direct rock extraction from the mountains was banned recently. Materials are now being transported from quarries in Quảng Nam Province.

Hi,

Thanks for the elaborate details on marble mountains.

Would you recommend we make a trip to these mountains with a 2 year old, directly from danang airport upon arrival mid-morning? We are then heading to Hoi-An, for a 3 night stay.

Alternatively, we have plans to visit Bana Hills too one of the days. Not sure if we directly go to bana hills or marble mountains from the airport.

Hi, this sounds great much prefer doing our own thing o the tourist hoards. What stop is it on the bus route? What direction do you go when you get off the bus? Do you go back to the same bus stop to return to the city? thanks

In the centuries since the Champa Empire, Buddhist followers have built shrines and temples at the summits of the mountains and in the caves below them. Therefore the Marble Mountains and their shrines within, continue to lure visitors to this day to enjoy their expansive views, wander their intricate caves and be swept up in their history.

Above all, through a history that was in turns peaceful and turbulent, this sacred site has served as a refuge for generations of Vietnamese. During the French Colonial War, the Huyen Khong Cave served as a secret command post for the local revolutionaries and a forward base from which they could stage guerrilla assaults. However, when the Americans invaded, they and the Southern Vietnamese government used the cave as a garrison. The caves riddled through the Marble Mountains, as a training venue for marines.

In the last couple of decades, Marble Mountains has been developed and promoted as a tourist destination. Complete with tours, shopping, and an easy-access glass elevator to take you up the 43-metre ascent. It remains an intriguing place to visit in central Vietnam with its gorgeous views and impressive caves.

There are a variety of tours that offer trips to the Marble Mountains. But it is far easier (and cheaper) to visit on your own for a day trip. It takes roughly an hour and a half to view the sights at Mt. Thuy and costs 40,000 VND (1.70 USD) per person.

Marble Mountains is open year-round from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The best months to visit are during the summer season, even though the heat can be stifling. During the rainy season (September to November), heavy rains can come up suddenly and their torrents will slick the marble stairs, making them slippery and dangerous. Check out our article on the best time to visit the region here.

Hidden Hint: You can find a bus timetable along with details of travelling between Hoi An and Da Nang in our travel article here. Have a live map on your phone so you can track your location and know when to ask the bus to stop.

Sitting halfway between Hoi An and Da Nang, finding Marble Mountains with your own transport is very easy. Travel 8 kilometres south from Da Nang or 20 kilometres north from Hoi An. Along either the Le Van Hien highway or the (more pleasant) Truong Sa coast road. You will find yourself in the shadow of the limestone outcrop. The ticket entrance can be found on Huyen Tran Cong Chua street surrounded by sculpture shops.

Most hotels in Hoi An will offer a tour of Marble Mountains. They are usually operating as resellers for a tour company, so ask for full details before booking. For a more unique trip, Vietnam Jeep Tour offers a day trip that includes Marble Mountain, Son Tra Peninsula, and the Hai Van Pass. All on-board a refurbished US military Jeep.

There are two entrances to Marble Mountains. Gate one is at the bottom of a long, daunting flight of stairs, at the base of the glass elevator. Gate two is further down the road along the left side of the mountain. Both entrances cost 40,000 VND (1.70 USD) per person to enter. Although the second, further entrance has an easier climb and is less-frequented. The elevator costs an additional 15,000 VND (.65c USD) per person, each way. The 156 step climb at the main entrance is not particularly difficult and offers some interesting views of shrines and stone-carved friezes on your way up. But beware, the stairs are made of marble and can be slippery.

Hidden Hint: Save your legs for exploring the paths and caves by taking the elevator up and walking back down. There are plenty of stairs to negotiate around the rest of the site! At the main ticket office, it is assumed that you want both entrances and return elevator tickets, so be clear about what you want to purchase.

After you make it to the top of the mountain from Gate one, there are three main avenues you can explore. The rightward path will take you to Ling Ung Pagoda and Temple, built-in 1825. This towering pagoda is an incredible testament to the faith and determination of the early Buddhists, imagine carrying all those massive tonnes of marble up from the base of the mountain! Also, to the right is the access to the glass elevator, Van Thong (Heaven) cave, and Xa Loi tower.

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