The further removed we are from our Vietnam vacation, the harder it is to recall all the amazing details, which should really be a life lesson for me. Write now. Blog before it becomes a memory; post later. But, here we are, having been back in South Korea for a month, and these incredible adventures we had are quickly becoming memories – fond ones, but memories, nonetheless. During our last week in Vietnam, we had the opportunity to spend the morning exploring Marble Mountains in Da Nang, which was virtually in our own backyard and, spoiler alert, it was amazing!

Marble Mountains in Da Nang, Vietnam

Vietnam’s Marble Mountains are exactly what they sound like – marble mountains; or, to be more precise, they’re a group of five marble and limestone mountains jutting out from the otherwise flat landscape of southern Da Nang city. Each of the five mountains contains numerous tunnels and caves, which are accessible to tourists, and it’s also possible to hike and summit Mount Thuy. The Marble Mountains in Da Nang, Vietnam are named after the five elements: Thuy (water), Hoa (fire), Tho (earth), Kim (metal), and Moc (wood).

During the Vietnam War, the Marble Mountains contained a hospital for the Vietcong, which had once bordered the American airfield opposite the mountains. Today, the Marble Mountains play host to both Buddhist and Hindu caves and temples, and a stairway leads visitors to the peak of Mount Thuy, the only mountain accessible to tourists.

Visiting Marble Mountains in Vietnam

Unknowingly, we booked a villa just eight minutes from the Marble Mountains along the beach, so our trip over early in the morning was an easy one. Like most trips in Vietnam, we decided to get there early, and our driver got us there by 8:45 AM. We were immediately greeted by the owner of a stone-working shop who directed us to the base of the steps leading up Mount Thuy. She seemed utterly surprised that we intended to have our kids hike all 156 steps to the Mount Thuy summit, but our kids love hiking, so they were all in.

At the base of the steps, we paid our entrance fee, and up we went! By 9 AM, it was already pushing 80 degrees, so we were glad that most of the stairs were shaded, especially because they were rugged and steep. We made it up though, and we started to explore, first visiting the most popular cave, Hoa Nghiem. Also the largest cave, its open ceilings contained writing along the walls, shrines and, of course, at least one statue of Buddha.

How Many Caves Are in the Marble Mountains?

There are about a dozen caves varying in sizes throughout the Marble Mountains. Naturally, the larger ones are more frequented, while some of the smaller ones are rarely visited. One of our favorites was actually Van Tong cave. The name, “Van Thong,” means “way to Heaven,” and it was such a neat little cave. Smaller than the others, accessible by stairs on one side and a scramble through a tunnel-like grotto on the other side, the boys loved shimmying through the smaller areas whilst Ryan and I passed Mieke from ledge to ledge.

While we didn’t visit all the caves, we did summit Mount Thuy from two angles, which was really fun and offered incredible views of all of Da Nang city and its miles of uninterrupted shoreline below. There were a few cafes scattered between the various entrances to the caves, and we treated ourselves to a few fresh coconuts for about 60,000 VND apiece ($2.50ish). For those who follow Loving Life Moore on instagram, you likely remember that I got sick while in Vietnam and, unfortunately, this is the first day I started feeling sick, and I deteriorated fast, so we didn’t get to stay as long as we’d hoped. Nevertheless, it was well worth exploring the caves!

What to Do at Marble Mountains

Besides the obvious hiking the stairs and climbing through the caves, it’s really neat to visit and explore the religious history and significance of the Marble Mountains. Many of the different temple spaces and pagodas were in use when we visited, and as we made our way back down Mount Thuy, we were able to see and explore the dragons carved directly out of the mountainside, as well as see the many effigies of Buddha from summit to base. As we made our way back down the stone stairs on the other side, we could see just how slick the marble was, and I imagine it’s wild trying to explore the literal Marble Mountains if it’s raining.

Tips for Visiting Marble Mountains in Da Nang, Vietnam

Address: Google Maps works in Vietnam, unlike Korea, so it was easy enough to locate, and they would really be hard to miss against the otherwise flat landscape of Da Nang city. The address, however, is as follows: 81 Huyền Trân Công Chúa, Hoà Hải, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam

Entrance Fee: Yes, there is an entrance fee to Marble Mountains, but it’s extremely modest. The Marble Mountains entrance fee is 60,000 VND per person ($2.50ish), and if you choose to use the elevator, it’s an additional 15,000 VND (.63 USD) per person.

Accessibility: While there is an elevator on Mount Thuy, the area isn’t really accessible beyond circumventing the stairs. The ground is uneven, and one must be able to traverse the narrow – and sometimes slippery – paths of their own accord. We did see some other families babywearing, and had Mieke been younger, we would’ve done the same. Kids are perfectly capable of hiking the steps, etc., but obviously gauge your kids’ hiking prowess, especially if you summit.

Amenities: There are quite a few cafes and stone working shops around the base of the mountains and, yes, they’ll accost you to buy things. There are also several makeshift cafes and ice cream stands on Mount Thuy. There is also a modest restroom. Donations aren’t required to use them, but they’re highly suggested.

Best Tip: Wear proper hiking or grippy shoes, and bring cash. Like most places in Vietnam, cash is king.