Traveling to the Son Tra Peninsula is not only an activity that attracts tourists but also a significant concern for scientists. The reason why traveling to the Son Tra Peninsula is so appealing is because this place possesses a diverse ecosystem, housing many untold “stories.”
If you are also planning to travel to the Son Tra Peninsula but don’t know what preparations and information you need to gather, then this is the article for you. Below, you will find everything you need to know about the Son Tra Peninsula, including what to eat, what activities to do, where to stay, how to get around, and detailed travel itinerary suggestions.
1. Introduction to Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang
Dubbed as the precious gem of Da Nang city, the map of Son Tra Peninsula is located in Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, with three sides facing the sea and the remaining side adjacent to the urban area. Situated only about 10km northeast of the city center. Son Tra Peninsula attracts tourists with its beautiful small and large beaches, lush forests, and diverse and abundant natural ecosystem.
Regarding the history of Son Tra Peninsula, since ancient times. It’s a floating island with three mountains. Thanks to the coastal currents carrying sediment over time, these three mountains were gradually filled, forming a strip of land extending from the mainland to the island, thus creating the peninsula.
During the war, Son Tra Peninsula was considered the “Eastern Indochina’s eye.” And up to the present time, Son Tra serves as the most important deep-water port in the Central region, as well as the endpoint of the East-West economic corridor starting from Myanmar and ending in Da Nang.
Having witnessed a glorious history of resistance, playing a crucial role in defense, economy, and science, Son Tra Peninsula has now become an irresistible tourist destination when visiting Da Nang, promising to bring many surprises and interesting experiences for visitors.
2. The most attractive tourist spots in Son Tra Peninsula
With numerous stunning tourist attractions and a pleasant year-round climate, Son Tra Peninsula’s tourism has been increasingly capturing the attention of international visitors.
2.1 Beautiful beaches
- But Beach
Nestled in a picturesque bay, But Beach in Son Tra Peninsula is renowned for its unique natural scenery, where mountains and the sea harmoniously blend. Exciting activities at But Beach include renting beach huts, beachside dining, participating in water sports, such as snorkeling or surfing, and paragliding.
- Tien Sa Beach
Located 10km from the city center, Tien Sa Beach in Son Tra Peninsula is associated with the legend of the Immortal descending to Earth and has inspired numerous literary and artistic works. It is one of the few beaches that retain a pristine and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and outdoor activities.
- Nam Beach
Nam Beach, also known as Nam Beach or Nom Beach, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Son Tra Peninsula. It features a stunning coral area, making it a popular spot for frequent diving and coral viewing activities.
- North Beach
North Beach in Son Tra Peninsula consists of two sections: East Beach and West Beach. If you visit between the lunar months of October and November, you will have the opportunity to witness a captivating scene with dark green seaweed clinging to the surface of the rocks along both sides of the beach.
- Black Rock Beach
Distinguished from other locations, Black Rock Beach stands out with its large black rocks, stacked or intermingled, creating unique and beautiful viewpoints. Thanks to the sheltering effect of these large rocks, the water here remains clear throughout the year, and the waves are gentle.
2.2 Must-visit Check-in Spots in Son Tra Peninsula
- Ban Co Peak
Son Tra Peninsula not only boasts beautiful beaches but also mountains. One of the enticing activities for visitors is the journey of climbing approximately 700 meters from the foot of the peninsula to Ban Co Peak. From this vantage point, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the bustling city in the distance.
- Thousand-year-old Banyan Tree
When it comes to Son Tra Peninsula tourism, it is impossible not to mention its diversity and abundance of tree species, especially the banyan tree community, including a remarkable thousand-year-old banyan tree. The uniqueness of this banyan tree lies in its extensive aerial roots that descend deeply into the ground, creating an incredibly captivating and rare sight.
- Nghê Cape
Located in the southeast part of Son Tra Peninsula, Nghê Cape or Nghê Rock is where the first sunrise of Da Nang city can be witnessed. Visitors can participate in activities such as snorkeling to admire over 42 rare coral species or experience fishing with local fishermen.
- Tien Sa Port
Playing a crucial role in the development of sea tourism and the maritime economy of both the city and the entire Central region, Tien Sa Port is a natural deep-water port with a considerably long dock and the capacity to accommodate large vessels. It serves as the arrival point for international cruise ships entering the area of Da Nang and is an excellent destination for visitors to explore and admire the scenery.
- Linh Ung Pagoda
Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula sits at an altitude of 693 meters above sea level. It is considered a special blessing bestowed by nature upon Da Nang city. Linh Ung Pagoda is also home to the tallest statue of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in Vietnam, standing at a height of 67 meters.
3. Entertainment Activities in Son Tra Peninsula
- Observing Red-Shanked Doucs and Brown Langurs
What else does Son Tra Peninsula offer for sightseeing? Son Tra Peninsula is the habitat of many rare animal species, including the Red-Shanked Doucs and Brown Langurs, known as the “Queens of Primates.” To get a better view of these animals, visitors should move gently to let them know you are harmless and don’t forget to bring binoculars for the best observation.
- Snorkeling
Snorkeling is an incredibly exciting water sport activity in Son Tra Peninsula. Under the protection of the gear, equipment, and instructors, visitors can firsthand witness the sparkling beauty of the vast ocean. In addition to vibrant coral reefs, the seabed is home to numerous fascinating fish and marine creatures.
- Paragliding
When visiting Son Tra Peninsula, one should not miss out on the exhilarating yet extremely thrilling experience of paragliding. Paragliding at an altitude of 600 meters provides an opportunity for visitors to admire the panoramic view of Da Nang city from above. It is also a sports activity that brings a mix of excitement and anticipation for the participants.
4. What to Eat in Son Tra Peninsula?
- Seafood
The first answer to the question of what to eat in Son Tra Peninsula is seafood. Definitely! The fresh and delicious seafood from the green and cool island always has a special appeal. Visitors can go to the local markets and restaurants to buy various types of seafood such as lobster, prawn, grouper, octopus, snapper, crab, scallop, and barracuda.
- Forest vegetables
In addition to the delicious seafood, Son Tra Peninsula also treats visitors to specialties from the mountains and forests, such as various types of forest vegetables. If you have the opportunity to visit Son Tra, don’t miss the chance to enjoy the natural forest vegetables and the special fish sauce dip of Da Nang.
- Coconut wine
Considered the “signature” of Son Tra Peninsula, coconut wine is made from sticky rice and fermented in a small coconut. Thanks to this unique fermentation method, the final product retains the refreshing and pleasant taste of coconut water.
5. Hotels in Son Tra Peninsula
In reality, there are not many guesthouses and hotels directly on Son Tra Peninsula. Therefore, visitors are advised to book hotels in the Son Tra District area and near the city center of Da Nang for convenience in traveling between tourist destinations. One ò the top recommend is the Melia Vinpearl Danang Riverfront Hotel.
- Address: 341 Tran Hung Dao Street, An Hai Bac Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City.
Melia Vinpearl Danang Riverfront offers a total of 864 guest rooms, making it the largest hotel in the city, catering to the diverse needs of leisure and business travelers when visiting Son Tra Peninsula.
From the hotel’s location, guests can enjoy panoramic views of the Han River, Dragon Bridge, and My Khe Beach. Staying here, visitors will also have convenient access to explore heritage sites such as Hoi An Ancient Town, Linh Ung Pagoda, My Son Sanctuary, and the ancient capital of Hue.
Experiences not to be missed at Melia Vinpearl Danang Riverfront include:
- Infinity pool: Relax and enjoy lively pool parties at the spacious 420m² outdoor pool.
- Spa: Indulge in massages and treatments at the 5-star Akoya Spa located by the lake.
- Classes: Enhance your skills with yoga, gym, swimming lessons for children, cooking classes, and mixology classes.
- Sports activities: Engage in exciting sports activities such as gym workouts, cycling, and surfing.
- Restaurants: Delight in a variety of delicious dishes in a warm and luxurious atmosphere at Hàn River 1, Hàn River 2, and Aquamarine restaurants.
- Bar: Chill out with family and friends at the open bar with a high river view, offering exquisite light bites, beer, and cocktails.
6. Travel Tips for Son Tra Peninsula
Here is some information to know about the weather and transportation when traveling to Son Tra Peninsula.
6.1. The best time to visit Son Tra is from March to September
With pleasant weather throughout the year, travelers can visit Son Tra Peninsula at any time. However, the period from March to September is considered the best time as it experiences fewer storms, more sunshine, and dry conditions. Additionally, visiting Son Tra Peninsula during this time avoids the occurrence of fog, which can hinder transportation.
6.2. Diverse means of transportation
- By airplane
Flying is the fastest way to reach Son Tra Peninsula, especially for travelers coming from distant provinces or cities. Airlines often offer attractive promotions for passengers. It is recommended to book Son Tra Peninsula flight tickets 3 to 6 months in advance to have the opportunity to find discounted airfares.
- By train
In addition to airplanes, trains are also a means of transportation for traveling to Son Tra Peninsula. Currently, there are many train routes available, such as Hanoi – Danang or Ho Chi Minh City – Danang, with prices ranging from 400,000 VND to 1,200,000 VND per passenger.
However, the travel time is quite long, taking about 14-20 hours to travel from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Son Tra Peninsula. Therefore, if you experience motion sickness or have health conditions that may be affected, it is advisable to choose a different mode of transportation.
- Moving from Danang City to Son Tra Peninsula
For travelers who want to experience their own journey, they can rent a motorbike to travel from Danang City to Son Tra Peninsula. Please refer to the prices and reputable rental locations in advance. And always use the Son Tra Peninsula map to avoid getting lost!
- Traveling from Hue or Hoi An to Son Tra Peninsula
If departing from Hue to Danang, travelers only need to follow Nguyen Tat Thanh Street and cross Thuan Phuoc Bridge to reach Son Tra Peninsula. If travelers start their journey to Son Tra Peninsula from Hoi An, they can take the coastal route of Truong Sa – Vo Nguyen Giap – Hoang Sa – Son Tra Peninsula.
7. One-Day Itinerary for Son Tra Peninsula Tour
Here is a suggested itinerary for a self-guided one-day tour of Son Tra Peninsula:
Start from your hotel in Da Nang and travel along the Han River or the coastal road passing My Khe Beach and Pham Van Dong to reach Son Tra Peninsula. Begin exploring the famous tourist attractions of Son Tra Peninsula and immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of its stunning beaches. Participate in exciting sports activities such as paragliding, scuba diving to admire coral reefs, etc. Don’t forget to have lunch at seafood restaurants offering fresh seafood. Or organize a beachside barbecue party during your Son Tra Peninsula tour. In the afternoon, conclude your trip and return to your hotel.
Above is all the information you need to know when traveling to Son Tra Peninsula. Hopefully, with these shared experiences about Son Tra Peninsula tourism, you will have a convenient and enjoyable trip.
Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure in Da Nang? Look no further than the enchanting Son Tra Peninsula! Join Origin Travel and embark on a journey filled with breathtaking landscapes, tantalizing cuisine, and comfortable accommodations. Get ready to explore, indulge, and create lifelong memories.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang with Origin Travel. Book your Da Nang tour package today and embark on a journey that will leave you with unforgettable memories. Contact us now to start planning your dream vacation!
