Linh Ung Pagoda at Bai But: Visiting Times, Routes and Dress Tips

Visiting a pagoda to pray in the first days of the year is a long-standing Vietnamese tradition for wishing your family peace, good health and good fortune. In Da Nang, a pilgrimage usually links the temples by the sea and on the hillsides, notably Linh Ung Pagoda at Bai But and Linh Ung Pagoda at Non Nuoc. A private car tour with a driver who collects you from your door lets families with elderly members and small children move at an easy pace, without worrying about finding a parking space or pushing through crowds on the first days of the new year.

The meaning of visiting pagodas in the first days of spring in Da Nang

At every Tet (Lunar New Year), local people and visitors from afar spend the first days of the new year, from the first to the fourth day of Tet, visiting quiet pagodas. A peaceful temple facing the sea helps each person leave behind the worries of the old year and welcome the fresh energy of spring.

Da Nang holds a special spiritual position, with three pagodas that share the name Linh Ung, forming a sturdy tripod that shields the city:

• Linh Ung Pagoda at Bai But: On the eastern slope of the Son Tra Peninsula, with its back to a pristine mountain peak and its face to the wide East Sea.
• Linh Ung Pagoda at Non Nuoc: On Thuy Son, one of the five marble hills of the Marble Mountains scenic area. It is a sacred temple dating from the reign of Emperor Minh Mang.
• Linh Ung Pagoda at Ba Na: Hidden on the summit of Chua Mountain at nearly 1,500 m, where cloud and white mist cover the area all year round.

On half-day or full-day city trips, the route linking Linh Ung Pagoda at Bai But and the Marble Mountains is the most convenient and popular choice for families.

Sites on a spiritual trip at the start of the year

A pilgrimage at the start of the year usually combines two notable sites, each with its own layout and walking routine:

1. Linh Ung Pagoda at Bai But on the Son Tra Peninsula

The pagoda houses a 67 m statue of Quan The Am (Avalokiteshvara) Bodhisattva, seated on a lotus base 35 m across, with its gentle gaze turned towards Da Nang Bay. The grounds cover about 20 hectares, with green gardens and a stately row of white marble statues of the Eighteen Arhats.

When you visit the pagoda during Tet, keep these points in mind:

• Best time to visit: Early morning, from 7:00 to 9:00, when the air is fresh, the sea breeze is cool and the crowds are still light.
• Getting there: The road up to Linh Ung Pagoda at Bai But has a gentle slope and smooth asphalt. The car park near the pagoda can be busy at peak times, so agree the drop-off point with your driver in advance.

2. Linh Ung Pagoda at Non Nuoc and the Marble Mountains

About 8 km south of the city centre, Linh Ung Pagoda at Non Nuoc sits on the slope of Thuy Son, facing the sea and the stone-carving village. It keeps the moss-covered calm of Buddhist architecture from the Nguyen dynasty, along with mysterious natural caves such as Tang Chon Cave and Huyen Khong Cave.

For groups with older people visiting the Marble Mountains:

• Thuy Son has steep, natural stone steps. For older travellers, agree the route up to the pagoda area and the pace of the day with your driver in advance.
• After offering incense at Linh Ung Pagoda at Non Nuoc, you can stroll over to Tam Thai Pagoda on the west slope of the hill to complete your pilgrimage.

A suggested itinerary for a one-day pagoda tour by private car

Depending on your family’s schedule, you can consider two suitable plans:

This itinerary is only a suggestion. You can agree with your driver to change the order of the stops so that it fits your family’s preferred departure time, including an auspicious hour if you wish.

Dress and etiquette to keep the pilgrimage respectful

To keep your New Year trip peaceful and respectful, members of the group should observe a few temple rules:

• Modest clothing: Wear traditional ao dai or neat clothing that falls below the knee. Avoid short skirts, sleeveless tops or tight clothes when you enter the main hall to offer incense.
• Keep the sacred space calm: Walk softly, speak quietly, and avoid loud laughter or honking car horns in the temple grounds.
• Limit incense burning: Pagodas in Da Nang encourage each worshipper to light just one stick of incense at the large burner in the courtyard, to avoid thick smoke and reduce the risk of fire. Do not stick incense into tree trunks or small shrine statues.
• Simple offerings: Temples accept only fresh flowers, sweet fruit or vegetarian offerings. Never bring meat offerings into the Buddhist worship area.

For more details, see the half-day Son Tra and Marble Mountains tour and the guide to Linh Ung Pagoda at Bai But, so you can prepare thoroughly for your spring trip.