Da Nang Landmarks and Monuments

(Da Nang, Vietnam)

Monuments and landmarks around Da Nang tend to be of the natural variety, with the high forested Marble Mountains surrounding the city perhaps its foremost sight and quite impossible to miss.

Man-made relics include an ancient carved stone stele (the Long Thu Pagoda Stele) commemorating the founding of a now long-lost temple, and for train-spotters in Da Nang, a vintage steam locomotive from the colonial era is a must-see. Other noteworthy city sights include the Dien Hai Fortress, the Da Man Village Gateway and the Iphanho Cemetery.

Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son)

Address: Near Da Nang, Vietnam, VN
Some of Vietnam's most spectacular landmarks are the peaks of the Marble Mountains, set roughly 10 km / 6 miles to the south of Da Nang. This area is a popular site for pilgrimages, as many old Buddhist cave temples and tunnels can be seen here, once being used as Vietcong hideouts. The most prominent peaks of the Marble Mountains include Hoa Son, Thuy Son, Kim Son and Tho Son. Rather dominating the landscape, the mountains offer a number of pathways and it is possible to follow a trail to the very summit of one in particular, where stunning views are worth the effort. The neighbouring Non Nuoc Arts Village is often of interest and known for its intricate marble handicrafts.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, charge for caves

Steam Locomotive

Address: Da Nang, Vietnam, VN
A beautifully preserved monument to Vietnam's steam-powered railway era is the vintage steam locomotive set in a pretty garden at the front of the central railway station. Any passenger arriving at the station will find it hard to overlook this centrepiece locomotive (coloured black with red trimming), which is surrounded by neatly clipped trees and a small hedge. This station is one of the busiest and most prominent located along the Vietnamese North-South Railway (Reunification Express).
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Dien Hai Fortress

Address: Thach Thang Ward, Da Nang, Vietnam, VN
Built in 1813 on the river estuary, this walled citadel was crucial to the local Vietnamese and their continued struggle for independence against the French colonialists, and now functions as a national historic monument. Just ten years after its completion, the Dien Hai Fortress was relocated to its current elevated site and in the late 1840s, the perimeter was enlarged and edged by a tall wall and ditch.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Iphanho Cemetery

Address: Son Tra Ward, Da Nang, Vietnam, VN
This ancient cemetery lies within the city's Son Tra district, where it has become something of a poignant memorial to French and Spanish soldiers who sadly lost their lives during the first colonial invasion of Vietnam. The 32 graves, some with their original steles, clearly show the futility of war and its tragic implications.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Da Man Village Gateway

Address: Da Nang, Vietnam, VN
This elaborate gateway leading to a small temple is to be found just a short distance outside of the main city. The Da Man Village Gateway was actually once an important rebel stronghold until the arrival of American forces, who took over the area and built military posts for population control.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Long Thu Pagoda Stele

Address: An Long Pagoda, Da Nang, Vietnam, VN
The important 17th-century carved sandstone stele documenting the building of Long Thu Pagoda has outlasted the pagoda itself, and now stands in the An Long Pagoda, just behind the Cham Museum. The stele was unearthed at the beginning of the 20th century, following the destruction of the pagoda during the early part of the 19th century (Nguyen Anh's period), and is now considered to be national historic monument of great importance.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free