Heads up: there are 3 "Linh Ung Pagodas" in Da Nang
If you've researched Da Nang, you may have run into "Linh Ung Pagoda" more than once and gotten confused — there are actually three pagodas with this exact name around the city.
- Linh Ung Pagoda at Ba Na Hills — atop the 1,487m mountain, home to a 27m Shakyamuni Buddha statue
- Linh Ung Pagoda at Marble Mountains — a small temple inside a cave
- Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula — the one covered here, home to the 67m Lady Buddha
So "I visited Linh Ung Pagoda" alone doesn't tell you which one someone means. The Lady Buddha statue specifically is only at the Son Tra Peninsula pagoda.
What is the Lady Buddha?
Formally a statue of Avalokiteshvara (Quan Am), it stands 67m tall on a 35m-diameter lotus pedestal — one of the largest Buddhist statues in Vietnam. It's large enough that its white silhouette is visible from My Khe Beach and central Da Nang.
That distant white figure you spot while swimming — realizing you can actually walk right up to it is a strange kind of thrill.
How to get there
There's no public bus route, so you'll need a Grab, taxi, or rental motorbike.
| From | Approx. time / cost |
|---|---|
| My Khe Beach area | ~20 min, 100,000-150,000 VND one way |
| Central Da Nang | ~20-30 min, ~150,000 VND one way |
| Da Nang Airport | ~200,000 VND |
If riding a motorbike yourself, head north along Vo Nguyen Giap Street by My Khe Beach, turn inland, and follow the road uphill for about 1.5km to reach the pagoda. Admission and parking are both free.
Highlights
- The Lady Buddha statue — genuinely overwhelming up close; the balcony near the statue offers sweeping ocean views
- The main hall — decorated with various Buddha statues and reliefs depicting the Buddha's life
- The temple gardens — a courtyard with large bonsai trees and 18 statues, a favorite photo spot
- Wild monkeys — Son Tra Peninsula is a nature reserve, and you may spot wild monkeys on the grounds (signs warn of them)
Things to know before visiting
The main hall and Lady Buddha grounds are a religious site, so modest clothing that covers your shoulders and legs is appropriate. Tank tops and short shorts are best avoided.
Taxi drivers here sometimes don't carry much change, so having small bills on hand helps. If you plan to take a taxi back too, it's worth negotiating a round-trip fare with a driver waiting in the parking lot.