The History, beauty, and culture of the Hải đăng Sơn Trà lighthouse in Danang

Hello Freinds,

The Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse is special for many reasons. First, it’s an excellent example of French Colonial architecture and design. Second, it’s the most well-known coastal landmark in Da Nang. The lighthouse stands on a rocky outcrop at a height of 61 meters above sea level and has become one of the most important symbols of Danang city and a popular tourist attraction.

Here we take a closer look at the history, culture, and architecture of this unique landmark.

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Lighthouses and their meaning.

Lighthouses are some of the most historical and awe-inspiring structures in the world. These towers were used to guide passing ships through perilous waters and rocky shoals. They have existed for thousands of years, and have been pivotal in changing the course of human history.

Before the invention of lighthouses, sailors navigated their ships using the stars as their primary source of navigation. But during times of bad weather, or at night, this was virtually impossible. There was also the issue of navigating a ship on a coast with no knowledge of the area whatsoever.

Lighthouses were a huge advancement in seafaring technology. They were first used by the Chinese around 1000 AD, but didn’t become commonplace until the 16th century when European explorers began to discover new parts of the world.

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Who Built the Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse?

The Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse was completed in 1902. It was commissioned by the French government and construction was overseen by French engineer and architect Monsieur Gabriel Pouillard.

The lighthouse was built on the North East tip of the Hải đăng peninsula which separates the East Sea (also known as the South China Sea) and the Danang Bay.

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Why is the Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse Important?

The Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse is an important landmark in Vietnam and an excellent example of French colonial architecture and design.

Besides being a stunning example of French architecture, the lighthouse is also the most well-known coastal landmark in Da Nang city and a popular tourist attraction.

During the Vietnam war, the lighthouse was used by the United States Armed Forces as a navigation landmark. The Americans also used it for surveillance and as a communication point.

The Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse is also of great cultural significance in Vietnam. In many Asian countries, lighthouses are considered to be a symbol of good luck. Many people visit the Ha ̣i đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse to seek this good fortune.

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The History of the Hải Đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse

The Hải đăng peninsula has been a significant part of Da nang since the beginning of time. The area was first inhabited 4000 years ago by the Hoa people.

The peninsula was also known as the “Land of the Sea” in ancient times because it was shaped like a boat. The name Sơn Trà might have come from the era when the Chinese used to visit the area to trade.

The Chinese used to call the area the “Land of the Hills” because of the large rocky outcrops that were spread all along the coast. The earliest record of the Hải đăng peninsula is from the 15th century when the area was part of the Champa Kingdom. The French began to colonize the area in the late 1800s. The French had a long-term plan to develop the Hải đăng peninsula into a major seaport.

They wanted to build a lighthouse on the south-eastern tip of the peninsula so that ships could navigate safely along the coast. In 1889, the French bought the land from the locals and started construction on the Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse.

It was completed in 1902 or 1904, and the first light was shone on the 12th of October that same year. The lighthouse was operated until the 1950s, when the French left Vietnam.

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The Architecture of the Hải Đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse

The Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse was designed by French architect Gabriel Pouillard in a classical style. It is a simple but still impressive-looking structure.

The lighthouse was built with bricks, cement, and sandstone. The building is 15.6 meters tall, with the light shining from a heightened 15-meter-high balcony.

The lighthouse is built on a rocky outcropping so that it is visible from every direction. It was manned by a small team of locals that were very friendly when I went to visit.

• The price to enter is 20,000 VND paid in cash.
• The view from the top is quite nice too!

Where Is the Hảe Đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse Located?

The Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse is located on the Hải đăng peninsula in the city of Da nang. The peninsula is located North East of the city’s downtown area.

The lighthouse can be reached by car or taxi or on a Semi or Manual motorbike. If you’d like to visit the lighthouse, you should be prepared for an uphill climb.

Location : Hải đăng Sơn Trà
Thọ Quang, Sơn Trà, Da Nang, Vietnam

Google Map link : https://goo.gl/maps/KzRr3dCnwmqF6Qg3A

NOTE

• If you drive a motorbike out to see this location, you will need to be on a Manual or Semi-Automatic bike, no full auto bikes will be allowed due to the steep hills you will drive up and down.
• Bring water with you and make sure your bike is gassed up, there is no food or water once you get beyond the gate.
• The Fee is 20,000 VND paid to the lighthouse keeper.
• Drive slowly, the roads turn a lot and sometimes monkeys and people walk on the roads.

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The Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse in Summary

The Hải đăng Sơn Trà Lighthouse is a simple structure, but still a beautiful place to go visit. It’s an excellent example of French colonial architecture and design.

This landmark is a well-known coastal landmark in Da Nang city and a popular tourist attraction for those who will venture the drive out to see it.

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Thanks for reading and I hope you get a chance to see this cool location!

Cheers

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