Linh Ung Pagoda Son Tra 2026: Lady Buddha Guide

Linh Ung Pagoda (Chùa Linh Ứng Bãi Bụt) is a Buddhist pagoda on the Son Tra Peninsula, about 10 km north-east of central Da Nang. It is famous for its 67 m statue of Quan The Am (the “Lady Buddha”), the tallest in Vietnam when completed in 2010, gazing out over Da Nang Bay. Entry is free; dress modestly and allow about an hour.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily as normal, roughly 6:00–21:00, with free admission. The pagoda is reached by the coastal road on the southern side of the peninsula; parts of the upper Son Tra roads have been restricted after storm damage, but the pagoda itself is accessible. Expect large crowds on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month and at festivals.

Why Linh Ung Pagoda is worth seeing:

The Lady Buddha: a 67 m white statue of the Bodhisattva of Compassion on a 35 m-wide lotus base, facing the sea.
Sweeping views: Da Nang Bay, the city skyline and, on clear days, the Hai Van Pass.
Arhat garden: 18 large white-stone arhat statues, each with a different expression.
A living pagoda: monks, incense and worshippers praying for fishermen’s safety.
Free and easy: no ticket, 20–25 minutes from the city, and on the way to the Son Tra Peninsula.

Linh Ung Pagoda at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Chùa Linh Ứng Bãi Bụt (Linh Ung Pagoda, Bai But)
Location	Bai But, Son Tra Peninsula, Son Tra ward, Da Nang
Distance	About 10 km north-east of Da Nang centre (20–25 minutes by car)
Known for	67 m Lady Buddha statue, arhat garden, bay views
Built	Construction began in July 2004; inaugurated on 30 July 2010
Opening hours	Daily, about 6:00–21:00
Entrance fee	Free
Time needed	45–60 minutes
Best time	Early morning or late afternoon; February–August for clear skies
Nearby	Son Tra Peninsula, My Khe Beach, Dragon Bridge
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor

Is Linh Ung Pagoda Worth Visiting?

Yes, it is one of Da Nang’s essential sights and costs nothing. The scale of the Lady Buddha, the sea views and the calm of the gardens make it worth an hour, especially combined with a drive around the Son Tra Peninsula.

Best for: first-time visitors, photographers and anyone curious about Vietnamese Buddhism.
Skip if: you have already seen many large modern statues and want ancient history; the Marble Mountains are older and more atmospheric.
Short on time: go at sunrise, see the statue and arhat garden in 40 minutes, and be back for breakfast.

History and Legend of Linh Ung Pagoda

The name Bai But means roughly “Buddha’s Beach”. According to local tradition, in the reign of Emperor Minh Mang fishermen found a Buddha statue washed up on the shore here; they built a small shrine to it, and the cove became a place of worship. Fishermen still regard the area as protecting those who go to sea.

The present pagoda was built on a site of about 20 ha. Work started in July 2004 and the complex, with its giant statue of Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion), was inaugurated on 30 July 2010. The statue faces the sea, a symbol of protection for fishing communities, and became an instant landmark of modern Da Nang.

Linh Ung on Son Tra is one of three pagodas of the same name in Da Nang; the others are on the Marble Mountains and at Ba Na Hills.

What to See at Linh Ung Pagoda

1. The Lady Buddha statue

The 67 m statue of Quan The Am stands on a 35 m-diameter lotus platform, holding a vase of holy water. Inside are 17 levels, each with Buddha statues; access to the upper floors is not normally open to visitors, so enjoy it from the base and the terraces.

2. The main hall

The main sanctuary enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha with Avalokitesvara and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattvas. Enter quietly, remove shoes and hats where requested, and avoid photographing worshippers at close range.

3. The arhat garden

Two rows of 18 white-stone arhats (enlightened disciples), each riding an animal or holding an object and showing a distinct emotion, line the path to the main hall.

White marble guardian lion in the grounds of Linh Ung Pagoda, Son Tra, Da Nang — White marble guardian lions stand in the grounds of Linh Ung Pagoda. Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

4. The gate and bell tower

The triple gate, dragon-decorated roofs and bell and drum towers follow traditional Vietnamese pagoda design, with marble guardian lions at the entrance.

5. Bonsai and gardens

Ornamental trees, ponds and landscaped terraces surround the buildings and are the best places to escape the crowds.

6. The sea-view terrace

From the statue’s base you look across Da Nang Bay to the city, the Han River mouth and the mountains beyond; sunrise light is especially beautiful.

Linh Ung Pagoda Opening Hours and Entrance

Item	Details
Entrance fee	Free (donations welcome)
Opening hours	Daily, about 6:00–21:00
Parking	Car and motorbike parking at the foot of the pagoda (small fee)
Busiest days	1st and 15th of the lunar month, Tet and Buddhist festivals
Robes	Cover-up robes are usually available at the main hall if your clothes are too short

Linh Ung Pagoda is an active religious site run by its monastic community; there is no separate official website.

Rules and Etiquette at Linh Ung Pagoda

Cover shoulders and knees; avoid short skirts, shorts and sleeveless tops in the main hall.
Speak softly and do not climb on statues or the lotus base.
Walk around the statue clockwise if you join worshippers.
Keep food out of sight: macaques sometimes visit from the forest.
Drones need permission; do not fly them over worshippers.

How to Get to Linh Ung Pagoda

From	How	Time
Da Nang centre	Grab car or taxi via the Han River bridges and Hoang Sa road	20–25 minutes
My Khe Beach hotels	Grab, taxi or motorbike north along the coast	15–20 minutes
Da Nang centre	Bicycle (flat coastal road, hilly at the end)	About 45 minutes
Hoi An	Private car or tour, often with the Marble Mountains	About 50–60 minutes

For Grab, taxis and motorbike rental, see our guide to getting around Da Nang.

Best Time to Visit Linh Ung Pagoda

When	What to expect
Sunrise to 8:00	Golden light on the statue, cool air, few visitors
Late afternoon	Softer light over the bay and city
February–August	Mostly dry with clear views
September–December	Rain and storms; views can be hazy, and roads may close in severe weather
Lunar 1st and 15th, festivals	Very busy with worshippers; interesting but crowded

Local Expert Tips for Linh Ung Pagoda

These tips come from years of arranging Da Nang tours for international travellers.

Go early: tour buses arrive from mid-morning.
Bring a scarf or light shirt to cover up quickly at the main hall.
Combine it with Son Tra: add the langur-spotting roads and Ban Co Peak if they are open.
Use a wide-angle lens or step back down the stairs to fit the whole statue in one frame.
Visit the Cham Museum the same day for a contrast between ancient Hindu-Buddhist art and modern Buddhism.
Watch your belongings around the monkeys, especially sunglasses and snacks.

Linh Ung Pagoda vs Marble Mountains Pagodas

Feature	Linh Ung Pagoda (Son Tra)	Marble Mountains pagodas
Age	Modern (2004–2010)	Centuries-old foundations
Highlight	67 m Lady Buddha and sea views	Cave shrines and royal pagodas
Ticket	Free	40,000 VND (Thuy Son)
Effort	Easy, a few steps	Many steps and cave scrambles
Time needed	About 1 hour	2–3 hours

Our view: see both if you can. Linh Ung Pagoda is the more striking photo and the easier visit; the Marble Mountains offer more history and adventure.

Nearby Attractions

Son Tra Peninsula: forest roads, langurs and Ban Co Peak.
My Khe Beach: Da Nang’s main city beach.
Dragon Bridge: fire and water show on weekend nights.
Museum of Cham Sculpture: Cham art by the Han River.
Marble Mountains: caves and pagodas south of the city.

Sightseeing in Da Nang for First-Time Visitors: Where Linh Ung Pagoda Fits

Linh Ung Pagoda is best visited early in the morning on a Son Tra half day, followed by the Marble Mountains or a swim at My Khe. Keep a full day for Ba Na Hills and an evening for the Dragon Bridge. Our Da Nang travel tips and local food guide help you plan the rest.

Plan your trip with our Da Nang travel guide and Da Nang tour packages. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.