In Brief
Book a hoi an to monkey mountain private car day tour and discover Son Tra Peninsula in a single, stress-free day. The round trip covers roughly 45 km each way – about 1 hour 10 minutes of driving – leaving you 4 to 6 hours on the peninsula to explore at your own pace. Prices start at 1,700,000 VND per car (not per person), hotel pickup in Hoi An is included, and you can confirm your booking in minutes via WhatsApp.
Son Tra Peninsula – What Makes It Special?
Son Tra Peninsula (Sơn Trà) juts dramatically into the South China Sea just north of Da Nang, its forested ridgeline rising to 693 m at Ban Co Peak. Locals have long called it Monkey Mountain – a nod to the red-shanked douc langurs, one of the world’s most endangered primates, that swing through its jungle canopy.
The peninsula is a protected nature reserve: dense tropical forest, dramatic coastal cliffs, and sea views that stretch all the way to the Hai Van Pass mountains on a clear day. It feels worlds away from the beach resorts below, yet it is less than an hour from Hoi An.
Three things make Son Tra unmissable:
- The 67-metre Lady Buddha statue at Linh Ung Pagoda – the tallest in Vietnam
- The panoramic summit views from Ban Co Peak at 693 m
- The chance to spot wild douc langurs in their natural forest habitat
Whether you are drawn by the wildlife, the spirituality of the pagoda, or simply the views, Son Tra rewards an early start and a full morning of exploration.
What to See on Son Tra Peninsula
Lady Buddha & Linh Ung Pagoda
Linh Ung Pagoda sits on the western slope of Son Tra and is home to the tallest Lady Buddha statue in Vietnam – a serene 67-metre figure that faces Da Nang Bay, said to protect local fishermen from storms at sea.
Inside the base of the statue, 17 floors house Buddhist art and shrines. The pagoda grounds are immaculately kept, with smaller Buddha statues lining the pathways through manicured gardens.
Practical details:
- Free entry
- Dress modestly: covered shoulders and knees (this is an active place of worship – a light scarf or sarong works perfectly over shorts)
- Allow 45–60 minutes
- Best visited before 9:00 AM to beat tour groups and enjoy the best morning light
Ban Co Peak – Summit Views at 693 m
At 693 m, Ban Co Peak is the highest accessible point on Son Tra and the payoff for the winding drive up through the jungle. On a clear day, the panorama takes in Da Nang city, My Khe Beach, the Hai Van Pass, and the South China Sea in a single sweep.
A giant chessboard (bàn cờ) sits at the summit – legend has it that the Jade Emperor played chess here with the fairies. The mountain road to the top is an attraction in itself: jungle canopy overhead, glimpses of the sea through the trees, and the occasional douc langur crossing the road ahead of you.
Allow 30–45 minutes at the summit.
Red-Shanked Douc Langurs – Wildlife Spotting
Son Tra is home to the largest population of red-shanked douc langurs in the world. These critically endangered primates are striking – vivid orange, white, and black markings make them look almost painted – and seeing them in the wild is a genuinely rare experience.
- Best spotted 7:00–9:00 AM in the forest canopy along the peninsula’s interior roads
- Your driver knows the sections of road where sightings are most frequent – just ask them to slow down through the forest
- Sightings are never guaranteed (this is wild wildlife), but the chances are high with an early departure
Son Tra Radar Station (Radar 29 – “The Indochina Eye”)
Built by the US military at 621 m during the Vietnam War to monitor airspace over the Gulf of Tonkin, Laos, and Cambodia, Radar 29 is now one of the most photographed landmarks on the peninsula. The white radar dome rising above the jungle backdrop is a striking sight and a powerful reminder of the region’s wartime history.
Access may vary depending on the day – your driver will advise you on arrival.
The Thousand-Year Banyan Tree
Deep in the Son Tra forest stands a massive ancient banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis), estimated to be over 1,000 years old. Its aerial roots have grown into a cathedral-like structure that filters the light in extraordinary ways – a favourite photography stop for good reason.
Free access. Allow 15–20 minutes.
Suggested Day Itinerary
This is a suggested schedule – your order and pace are fully flexible. Just let us know your preferences when booking.
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 07:30 AM | Hotel pickup in Hoi An |
| 08:45 AM | Arrive Son Tra Peninsula (~1h10 drive) |
| 08:45–09:45 AM | Lady Buddha & Linh Ung Pagoda (1 hour) |
| 09:45–10:30 AM | Thousand-Year Banyan Tree + forest road (douc langur spotting) |
| 10:30–11:15 AM | Son Tra Radar Station (Radar 29) |
| 11:15 AM–12:00 PM | Ban Co Peak summit (45 min) |
| 12:00–13:00 PM | Lunch on the peninsula or back in Da Nang (not included – driver can recommend) |
| 13:00 PM | Depart Son Tra for Hoi An |
| 14:15 PM | Return to your hotel in Hoi An |
Prefer a later start? No problem. If you’d like to add a Da Nang stop – Marble Mountains or Dragon Bridge – on the way back, just mention it when booking and we’ll prepare a combined quote.
Our Fares – Fixed Price Per Car
Price per car – not per person. One fixed price covers the entire vehicle, regardless of how many passengers are travelling together.
| Vehicle | Price (round-trip) | Passengers | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-seat sedan | 1,700,000 VND | Up to 3 passengers | 2 large bags |
| 7-seat minivan | 1,800,000 VND | Up to 5 passengers | 4 large bags |
The price covers the full round trip: Hoi An → Son Tra Peninsula → Hoi An, including all tolls, fuel, and parking fees. No surprises at the end of the day.
What’s Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hoi An
- Round-trip private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver
- Fuel, tolls & parking
- Bottled water
- Flexible schedule – your pace, your stops
Not Included
- Meals & drinks
- Tour guide fees (driver is not a licensed guide)
- Gratuities (optional, always appreciated)
- Optional add-on stops such as Marble Mountains or Dragon Bridge (ask for a quote)
Why Book a Private Car to Monkey Mountain?
Son Tra Peninsula has no public transport. Grab prices fluctuate, and ride-hail drivers won’t wait for you at each site while you explore. A private car with a fixed price means your driver stays with you all day, adjusts the route if you spot langurs on a forest road, and gets you back to Hoi An without the stress of hailing rides on a mountain road.
| Private Car (us) | Group Tour | Grab / Taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed price | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Door-to-door pickup | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Flexible stops | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Driver waits at each site | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Air-conditioned | ✅ | Varies | ✅ |
| Wildlife spotting flexibility | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Price for 2 people | 1,700,000 VND | Per person | Unpredictable |
| Price for 4 people | 1,700,000 VND | 4× per-person rate | Unpredictable |
The hoi an son tra peninsula private car option is simply the most practical way to explore the peninsula – especially if you want the flexibility to linger at Ban Co Peak or slow down for a douc langur sighting on the forest road.
Practical Tips
Best time to visit Son Tra
- February to August is the dry season – best visibility from Ban Co Peak and the most reliable weather for the drive up.
- An early morning departure (7:30–8:00 AM) is ideal: fewer crowds at Linh Ung Pagoda, the best light for photography, and the highest chance of douc langur sightings.
- Avoid Vietnamese public holidays – the pagoda and summit get busy, and the access roads can become congested.
What to wear
- Comfortable walking shoes – some paths on the peninsula are uneven.
- Modest clothing for Linh Ung Pagoda: covered shoulders and knees. A light scarf or sarong is easy to pack and does the job if you’re in shorts.
- Sunscreen and a hat – the summit at Ban Co Peak has little shade.
Wildlife etiquette
- Keep noise low when you spot douc langurs in the canopy.
- Do not feed the monkeys or langurs – it disrupts their natural diet and behaviour.
- Stay in the car or at a respectful distance for the best sightings without disturbing the animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the price per car or per person? Per car – not per person. One fixed price covers the whole vehicle: up to 3 passengers in the 4-seat sedan, up to 6 passengers in the 7-seat minivan. Travelling as a couple or a family of four, you pay exactly the same rate.
How long is the drive from Hoi An to Son Tra Peninsula? About 45 km, taking approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes each way via the coastal road through Da Nang. The route is straightforward and comfortable in an air-conditioned car.
Is there an entrance fee for Son Tra Peninsula? Linh Ung Pagoda and the main viewpoints are free. The peninsula itself has no entrance fee. Some areas may have a small vehicle access fee – your driver will handle this on the day.
Can I see the red-shanked douc langurs? Very likely with an early morning departure (7:30 AM). Your driver knows the forest sections where sightings are most frequent and will slow down through those areas. Sightings are never guaranteed – these are wild animals – but the chances are genuinely high with an early start.
Can I combine this with a Marble Mountains or Da Nang city stop? Yes. A son tra peninsula private car from hoi an booking can easily be extended to include Marble Mountains or a Da Nang city stop (Dragon Bridge, Han Market) on the way back to Hoi An. Just ask us for a combined quote when booking via WhatsApp.
Is a tour guide included? No. The driver is English-speaking but is not a licensed guide. The main sites on Son Tra – Linh Ung Pagoda and Ban Co Peak – are easy to explore independently, and information panels are available in English at the key attractions.
Book Now
Ready to explore Son Tra Peninsula? Send us a message on WhatsApp with your travel date, preferred departure time, and number of passengers – we’ll confirm your booking and send an instant quote, usually within the hour.
Hotel pickup in Hoi An is included. Your driver will be waiting at your door at the agreed time, ready for a full day on the mountain.
Book your hoi an monkey mountain day trip today – and wake up tomorrow to jungle roads, sea views, and the chance to spot one of the world’s rarest primates in the wild.