Ban Co Peak

LuatgiaNguyenNgoc · CC BY-SA 4.0

The highest point on the Son Tra peninsula, with an abandoned stone chess game and a view all the way round.

On the highest point of Son Tra stands a stone chessboard and a statue of the god De Thich sitting alone beside it — in the folk telling, the immortal lost his game, walked away, and left the position unfinished for whoever climbs up next. The road there is a run of hard switchbacks through old-growth forest, where you may catch red-shanked doucs strung out along the branches. At the top the whole of Da Nang lies below: the bay, Thuan Phuoc bridge, the coastline running south toward the Marble Mountains, and on clear mornings the Hai Van pass across the water.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Ban Co Peak?

Early morning on a clear day, March to August

How long do you need at Ban Co Peak?

2 hours including the drive up

What are the opening hours of Ban Co Peak?

Daylight hours; do not go up after dark

Did you know

This is the highest point of the Son Tra peninsula, at roughly 700m.
The summit holds a stone chessboard and a statue of De Thich, tied to the legend of the unfinished game.
Son Tra is home to the red-shanked douc, a rare primate.
From the top you look out over Da Nang bay and the city's whole eastern shoreline.

Travel tips

The climb is steep with hairpin bends; scooters under 50cc generally cannot make it.
Go early — cloud usually rolls in after midday and closes the view over the bay.

Source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/1538334281

Updated: 2026-08-16