Lady Buddha in Da Nang: Vietnam’s Tallest Buddha Statue

Updated April 2023

Have you seen her? Lady Buddha Da Nang! From the bustling streets or the serene beaches of Da Nang, there is no way you could have missed her! Vietnam’s tallest Buddha statue, Lady Buddha, is stationed on the southern side of Monkey Mountain (Son Tra Peninsula), overseeing the treacherous ocean like a spiritual lighthouse beckoning the weary home.

Don’t mistake her for just another tourist trap, built as part of the holy Linh Ung Pagoda, she holds great significance for monks and locals alike. This is the ideal place to go if you are a tourist seeking an authentic experience. Go to Lady Buddha in Da Nang if you want to be captivated by stunning views, share a Buddhist prayer or take the selfie that all your followers will envy.

What is Lady Buddha?

 At 67 meters, Lady Buddha in Da Nang is the tallest buddha statue in Vietnam. That is as tall as Christ the Redeemer standing on top of Christ the Redeemer, but only half a Statue of Liberty. It sits on a lotus flower with a diameter of 35 meters.

Inside the Lady Buddha are seventeen floors, each with a shrine dedicated to a different Buddha. On the top floor is a flight of stairs that you can take up to her head where you can marvel over the views of the city and the ocean as if you were the Lady Buddha herself, or so we hear. We have never been lucky enough to go when the stairs are actually open, but maybe you’ll have better fortune.

Where is Lady Buddha?

Lady Buddha is inside the Linh Ung Pagoda, which is on the southern side of Son Tra peninsula. As she faces the ocean her back is turned to an ancient forest that is home to indigenous Vietnamese birds and animals, the most famous being the endangered Red Shanked Douc! It might be a better idea to travel further up the peninsula towards the Monkey Passage to see them, as they are very shy. See Son Tra: the ultimate guide to exploring Monkey Mountain.

Linh Ung Pagoda is the largest pagoda in Da Nang and is made up of the main shrine, an ancestral home, an auditorium, and the Arhat statue garden as well as the Lady Buddha.

The Linh Ung Pagoda is approximately 14km from the center of Da Nang City and 9km from My Khe Beach.

The road up to the pagoda starts in the Man Thai fishing village. It is definitely worth making a quick stop and having a look around. The fisherman supply all the fish to the local restaurants and still use traditional fishing methods. Get there early, around 6am, and watch the fisherman in action.

When was Lady Buddha built?

The construction of Linh Ung Pagoda, including Lady Buddha, started on the 19th of June 2004 as part of a project to renew some old and almost forgotten temples of Vietnam.  

Lady Buddha, together with the Linh Ung Pagoda was built in collaboration with the famous marble artist, Nguyen Viet Minh, who used the marble from Da Nang’s very own marble mountain to sculpt some of the buddha’s inside the pagoda itself! It all took six years to complete and opened to the public on the 30th of July 2010.

Although the Linh Ung Pagoda and Lady Buddha look ancient, for the people of Da Nang it is actually a symbol of the city’s modernization, with some elements from the 18th century Nguyen Dynasty (a curved roof with dragons) combined with a modern Vietnamese style. The mixture of styles and materials are meant to represent the diversity of the people that live in modern day Da Nang and serve as a symbol that Da Nang is home to everyone!

What is the Meaning of Lady Buddha?

The Lady Buddha statue in Da Nang is a symbol of peace, joy and prosperity. It is thought to bring good luck to those who visit it. The statue represents Avalokitesvara or Guanyin, a female bodhisattva from Buddhist mythology who is believed to help all living beings with her compassion and mercy.

Lady Buddha’s left hand holds a water vase, containing the nectar of life and right hand sprinkles the nectar on those praying below. For fishermen, she also is a patron saint who bestows good fortune and saves them at sea.

Local people believe her presence protects their city from typhoons. They also believe that the Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula combines with two other temples – in Ba Na Hills and Marble Mountains – creating a protective triangle, keeping bad things away.  

For many Vietnamese people all over Vietnam, Lady Buddha represents hope for better times.

The History of Linh Ung Pagoda

Despite Linh Ung Pagoda being quite new and modern, the choice of its location is filled with history and legends.

It is no accident that Lady Buddha looks like the protector of the ocean. Da Nang locals claim that the site once housed an ancient shrine built by the Son Tra inhabitants. The legend tells of a mysterious Buddha that would appear on a sandbank that is now the peninsula. The people of Son Tra Peninsula saw this as an auspicious sign and built the shrine to pray for the safety and prosperity of the local fishermen.

What Else is there to See at Da Nang’s Lady Buddha Site

Aside from the Lady Buddha Statue and the Linh Ung Pagoda temple, the Linh Ung Pagoda courtyard features a vast collection of statues – the Arhat Statue Garden.

Other points of interest include the Xa Loi Tower, a large Reclining Buddha and another statue garden below the Reclining Buddha statue. There are also two major arched gates. Finally, behind the Linh Ung Pagoda main building there is a third collection of impressive statues, somewhat forlorn, hidden from the public gaze.

Xa Loi Tower

The 16 meter-tall Xa Loi Tower is a pagoda located near the Lady Buddha statue in Da Nang. Built by the local community in 1947 it includes a three-tiered tower, multiple statues of the Buddha, and an array of colorful flags.

It offers spectacular views looking from Son Tra Peninsula back to Da Nang city and out to sea and is also popular for weddings, funerals and traditional ceremonies.

The Reclining Buddha Statue

An impressive arched gate separates the Xa Loi Tower and the Reclining Buddha Statue. A representation of Lord Gautama as he enters nirvana – or final rest after achieving enlightenment – the Reclining Buddha is another symbol of peace and prosperity in Vietnam. At 48 meters long, it is smaller than the Lady Buddha but still very impressive.

Visitors marvel at the statue’s intricate details and aura of spiritual peace and liberation.

The Arhat Statue Garden

Located in the front courtyard of the Linh Ung Pagoda is the Arhat Statue garden – a stunning array of sculptures that celebrates the 500 disciples of Gautama Buddha. These unique statues are all made from sandstone, and range from 6-9 meters in height.

The 500 disciples of Gautama Buddha were known as Arhats, or enlightened beings. Symbolic of spiritual awakening and the path towards enlightenment and peace, the Arhats are inextricably intwined with the beliefs and teachings of Buddhism.

It is also said the Arhats possess supernatural powers, such as telepathy, a faultless memory and the ability to understand all languages.

Also, if you proceed through the main temple to the outside area behind it, you’ll discover another collection of impressive statues that is not to be missed!

How to Get to Lady Buddha from Hoi An and Da Nang

From Hoi An the best ways to visit Lady Buddha are by organized tour, motorbike and private car.

From Da Nang a taxi or a bus may make more sense, depending on the location of your hotel. The ‘Da Nang City Tour’ bus features a 24-hour ticket of around $10 USD and stops at Lady Buddha. Ask you hotel for further advice.

In both cities Organized Tours will pick you up from your hotel or designated meeting spot and take all the worry out of it. A guide is a bonus. See Lady Buddha, Da Nang Tours.

Hiring a motorbike is legal 50cc and under or your can use easy rider or a Grab Motorbike if you are not licensed. See Motorbike Hire for full details and remember to check your health insurance details.

Our preferred option is to hire a private car from Hoi An for sure, it is cheaper than a taxi and the driver will wait for you. Prices range between 600,000 and 800,000 VND. In Da Nang, however, taxis and buses may make more sense as mentioned above.

Getting Around the Lady Buddha Site

1. The Main Hall (temple) for worship, 2. The area behind the main hall; often a place to worship dead monks, 3. Nha Tang, 4. Place for eating, 5. Place for teaching and learning, 6. Nha Chung, 7. WC, 8. Library, 9. Guest area. You can come and stay overnight here, 10. Boha Gaya – after the place in India where Buddha attained enlightenment, 11. Lam Ti Ni – recalling the beautiful garden where Buddha was born, 12. Lady Buddha, 13. Loc Uyen Garden – evoking the Sanarth garden where Buddha taught 60 disciples, 14. Large gate with three entrances, 15. Parking, 16. Place of Buddhist culture and scripture 17. Xa Loi Tower

Visiting Lady Buddha: Practical Details

Do You Need to Book in Advance to Visit Lady Buddha, Da Nang?

No, there is no charge. Locals often drop a small amount of money into donation boxes, to fund monk life, activities and charity. Parking is free too but many people also make small donations near the parking areas also.

Lady Buddha Opening Hours

Linh Ung Pagoda and the Lady Buddha statue are open from 6am to 9pm daily. Understandably, major weather events such as typhoons or heavy storms may close down the complex temporarily.

Best Time to Visit Lady Buddha

The dry season provides the best weather to visit the Lady Buddha, from March to the end of August. And within this frame the Spring months of March and April are perfect with milder temperatures than the enervating Summer months and not much rain. Visitors who come in Summer – June, July, August – should arrive in the morning or late afternoon, to avoid the heat in the noon.

Bring sunglasses, sun cream, hats or caps, and water for the greatest comfort.

How Much Time is Needed?

It’s worth setting aside at least an hour or two to spend with Lady Buddha. This will give you plenty of time to wander around, climb the statue, take in the views, explore the various buildings and soak up the atmosphere. Other attractions at Son Tra Peninsular also appeal so consider allowing time for those as well. See Son Tra: the ultimate guide to exploring Monkey Mountain.

Dress Code

Vietnam isn’t too strict on clothing rules, but be mindful that this is still a place of worship and of great importance to Vietnamese people. It wouldn’t be appropriate to go in beachwear, but shorts and t-shirts are fine. Pack a light scarf or shawl to cover your shoulders when entering the pagoda. Remember to always take your shoes off before going inside any of the buildings.

Having said that, if you want to respect this Buddhist site as the locals would, you will cover the armpits, navel and knees. Thin and see-through fabrics are also considered disrespectful.

If you wish to enter the prayer section free sarongs are available near the doors. Also it is best to remove sunglasses, hats and caps.

Lady Buddha Tours

There are quite a few day tours of Da Nang City that include Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains and the Dragon Bridge all in one day. These trips are a great idea if you aren’t planning to spend a lot of time in Da Nang but don’t want to miss out on anything.

Dedicated tours to Lady Buddha, Da Nang however, typically last between 1-2 hours and the price can vary depending on the tour operator. The estimated cost for a private or group tour is around $40-$50 USD per person, with discounts available for larger groups.

Tour operators usually provide bottled water, snacks and umbrellas as part of the package. Some operators also offer more in-depth tours that can last up to 4 hours and include additional activities such as temple visits and boat rides.

Nearby Attractions to Lady Buddha

Son Tra (Monkey Mountain)

Lady Buddha, Da Nang nestles at the ankles of Son Tra with impressive views looking back to Da Nang, but the peaks at the top of Son Tra are higher than the famous Hai Van Pass commanding breathtaking views in all directions.

Son Tra is a mountainous peninsular that is beloved by trekkers and natures lovers and is famously the home of the rare and exquisite, Red Shanked Douc.

Son Tra Peninsular is also of historical interest as it was a communications base for the Americans during the American-Vietnam War.

Dong Dinh Museum, Son Tra, Da Nang

The Dong Dinh Museum Son Tra Da Nang is housed in an old colonial mansion and contains various artifacts from the former Nguyen Dynasty, including furniture, paintings and traditional handicrafts. The museum also contains many sculptures of dragons and other creatures, representing the ancient gods of the region.

Vietnamese culture and history loom large, and visitors can even take part in educational activities such as calligraphy classes or craft workshops.

Son Tra Peninsula Beaches, Da Nang

Son Tra Peninsula Da Nang is home to a number of beautiful beaches that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. Basket Boat Beach is the most well-known beach in the area, where visitors can enjoy the unique basket boat experience and take in stunning views of Da Nang Bay and Da Nang City.

The other beaches at Son Tra Peninsular include Lo Voi Beach, Dai Lanh Beach, and Bai Vooc Beach. Lo Voi Beach is known for its calm waters and white sand beaches, while Dai Lanh Beach offers panoramic views of the ocean from cliffs. Bai Vooc Beach features clear waters and soft sands, making it ideal for families with young children.

Camping at Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang

Camping is allowed at some of the beaches at Son Tra Peninsula Da Nang. Basket Boat Beach, Dai Lanh Beach, and Bai Vooc Beach all have designated camping areas where visitors can pitch tents and spend the night. Campers should take note of local laws and camp responsibly by leaving no trace of their stay. Additionally, it’s important to bring enough supplies such as food and water to ensure a comfortable stay.

Buu Dai Tu Pagoda, Son Tra

Buu Dai Tu Pagoda is a stunning Buddhist temple located in Sơn Trà, Da Nang, Vietnam. Built in the 18th century, the pagoda is home to many ancient statues and historical artifacts. Restored over time, it provides a great exploration of Vietnamese culture and history.

In addition to its spiritual significance, the pagoda also offers gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape and sea.

FAQs

The Wrap-Up

Lady Buddha is well worth the visit. The sheer magnitude of the statue is breathtaking, not to mention its gorgeous backdrop of ancient forest to one side, and the ever-reaching blue ocean to the other side. Many find time spent in Linh Ung Shrine area meditative. Being in a place of such holy significance really gives a person some time to re-energize, like a spiritual pit-stop. The many statures are a gateway not just to Buddhism, but also to the mythology and folk lore that accompanies it and pre-dates it.

Other Great Day Trips

Other great day trips in the Hoi An – Da Nang area include Monkey Mountain (Son Tra), My Son, Ba Na Hills and the Marble Mountains.