On a summer afternoon, I stood at Nha Vong Canh at nearly 6 o’clock, surrounded only by the sound of wind and cicadas. No one jostling with their phones, no groups shouting while waiting for their turn to photograph. The sun slowly sank behind the mountain range, the sea turned from turquoise to orange-red, and I suddenly realized: the most beautiful sunset on Son Tra is not located where everyone usually flocks to.
Why summer is the golden time to “hunt” Son Tra sunsets
From May to August, Da Nang’s weather has little rain and few clouds, so the sunset lasts longer and the colors are much clearer than in autumn or winter. The summer afternoon sun also softens from around 5 PM, no longer as harsh as at noon, making it perfect to travel and stop to admire the scenery along the way without getting exhausted. Summer is also when Son Tra forest is at its greenest of the year, and the sea is so clear that you can see the bottom in many parts—a perfect background for a sunset session.
5 little-known sunset spots on Son Tra peninsula
1. Nha Vong Canh (Observation Shed) (about 10-12km from Da Nang city center)
This is a spot that Da Nang locals often visit, but it rarely appears on tourist maps. From Yet Kieu Street, drive along the direction of Son Tra Peninsula, just keep an eye out for the eco-tourism area signs to see the turn-off. The space is quiet, with a direct view of the sea, unobstructed by trees or shops. It’s suitable for those who want to sit still for a while, bring their own home-brewed coffee or iced tea, sip and watch the sunlight fade away.
Vong Canh House is a rest stop on the route up Son Tra Peninsula (Da Nang), where you can feast your eyes on the entire bay, the city, and the winding coastline below. The Google address is listed in Son Tra, and in reality, this is a very familiar "scenic rest station" for walkers, trekkers, and ... See more → →
2. Bai Co Chay (Burned Grass Field) (located on the Son Tra coastal road, near the Bai But area)
The name might not sound appealing, but this is one of the most unique corners of Son Tra in summer: a stretch of golden dry grass on a hillside facing the sea. It’s most beautiful around 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM, when the slanting sunlight creates long shadows on the grass, contrasting with the blue sea color in the distance, quite different from the familiar forest green of Son Tra.
Bai Chay (located in the Hoang Sa area, Son Tra, Da Nang) is an elevated open ground overlooking the sea and providing a panoramic view of the entire city. This is not the "Bai Chay" in Quang Ninh; in Da Nang, this place is more like a spontaneous stop for sightseeing, photography, and chilling in ... See more → →
3. The Thousand-Year Banyan Tree Area (on the main road up the peninsula, about 2-3km from Ban Co Peak)
Few people stop here for long as most just pause for a few photos and move on. But if you linger until late afternoon, the ancient canopy and quiet atmosphere create a completely different feeling—both wild and a bit mystical, perfect for those who prefer a slow pace over a quick check-in.
The Son Tra Banyan Tree (also commonly known as the Thousand-Year Banyan Tree of Son Tra) is located deep within the Son Tra Peninsula, in the Tho Quang area, Da Nang (plus code: 48FJ+2M8). This is a "living landmark" of the old-growth forest: featuring a massive trunk, drooping aerial roots, and a ... See more → →
4. Mui Nghe (Nghe Cape) in the afternoon (at the foot of the peninsula, near the entrance to Bai Rang)
Mui Nghe is famous for its sunrise, so almost everyone only visits in the early morning. On a summer afternoon, it’s the opposite—almost completely empty of visitors. The position jutting out into the sea here catches the full sunset glow reflecting off the water, creating a completely different tone compared to the sunrise photos people usually see.
Mui Nghe (Tho Quang, Son Tra, Da Nang) is a rocky promontory facing the sea on the eastern side of the Son Tra Peninsula, famous for its views of the city and crystal-clear blue water. On Google, this spot is rated 4.5/5 with 134 reviews.I visited Mui Nghe early one morning, and it felt like a true ... See more → →
Practical Experience
- Departure time: you should leave Da Nang center around 4:00 PM to be at the above spots before 5:30 PM, in time for the full 30-40 minutes of the most beautiful summer sunset.
- Avoid these hours: midday (11 AM – 2 PM) when the sun is harsh, the uphill road is exhausting; not an ideal time to travel.
- What to bring: drinking water, a light jacket (sea breeze in the afternoon is quite cold despite it being summer), a phone flashlight to descend safely because the Son Tra road has no street lighting.
- The road: some sections (like the one up to Nha Vong Canh or the Banyan Tree area) are narrow and steep, so drive slowly and avoid late hours due to limited visibility.
What to eat, where to stay nearby
After watching the sunset, you can head back to the Man Thai or Tho Quang area to eat fresh seafood (prices for reference, need to confirm depending on the shop and season).
Local Tip
Don’t just pick one spot and stay there—the Son Tra sunset “moves” with each perspective. If you have a motorbike, just drive slowly between 2-3 nearby spots (like Nha Vong Canh and Bai Co Chay), stopping at each for 10-15 minutes. You will see many different nuances of the sunset in a single summer afternoon.
Son Tra does not lack beautiful sunset viewing spots; it’s just that most tourists don’t know about these hidden corners. Next time you visit Da Nang in the summer, try skipping the crowded Ban Co Peak and find your way to one of the 4 spots above—maybe you’ll have a quiet afternoon that not everyone gets to experience.