Island guide

Hon Son Cha Island

Hon Son Cha, also known as Hon Chao or Hon Son Tra Con, is a small, uninhabited island off the foot of Hai Van Pass. Vietnam’s Government assigned its administrative management to Da Nang in Resolution 144/NQ-CP dated 18 September 2024. Its rocky shores, forested slopes, lighthouse and border-security presence distinguish it from the Son Tra Peninsula.

Overview

Understand the island as a complete place, not a single attraction.

At the seaward foot of Hai Van Pass, Hon Son Cha rises from the northern approach to Da Nang Bay. The island is also called Hon Chao and Hon Son Tra Con, but is not the larger Son Tra Peninsula. Government Resolution 144/NQ-CP of 18 September 2024 assigned the island to Da Nang for administrative management following a historical boundary issue with the former Thua Thien Hue province. Da Nang reporting in February 2026 describes an uninhabited island of roughly 1.6 square kilometres, with a summit around 235 metres high, and notes the presence of border-guard and lighthouse personnel. The island has maritime, environmental and security significance; it should not be marketed as an unrestricted resort or guaranteed landing destination. Boat access and any landing must be confirmed with competent authorities and licensed operators.

Key things to understand

A distinct offshore island, not the Son Tra Peninsula.
The island is administered by Da Nang under a 2024 Government resolution.
The Hai Van setting makes it a maritime landmark.
Lighthouse and border-security functions take precedence over leisure claims.
There is no documented resident civilian village.
Do not promise boat departures, landings or diving access.
Preserve coastal and marine habitats.
Map coordinates are indicative, not an official boundary or navigation reference.

Island perspective

How to understand this island

Why it matters

Hon Son Cha links the landscape of Hai Van Pass with Da Nang Bay maritime navigation and a clearly documented 2024 administrative decision.

What makes it distinctive

An uninhabited offshore island with a lighthouse and border-security presence, often confused by name with the Son Tra Peninsula.

What visitors often miss

The island is not an unrestricted day-trip beach; landing access and security constraints matter.

A small island beneath Hai Van Pass that Da Nang manages, notable for its sea-gateway setting and maritime functions.

Island identity

Understand the setting before planning the trip

Identity

Geographic Role: A separate island off the seaward foot of Hai Van Pass at the northern edge of Da Nang Bay.
Administrative Role: Assigned to Da Nang for management by Government Resolution 144/NQ-CP on 18 September 2024.
Maritime Role: A landmark associated with navigation, lighthouse operations and the northern bay approach.
Conservation Role: Coastal island habitats warrant low-impact treatment and verification of any protected-area rules.
Core Insight: Hon Son Cha is a strategically situated, largely undeveloped island whose identity is not interchangeable with the Son Tra Peninsula.

Geography

Setting: Off Hai Van Pass, near the northern entrance to Da Nang Bay and the coastal boundary with Hue.
Area: About 1.6 km² in 2026 local reporting; not a surveyed cadastral figure.
Elevation: Approximately 235 m in 2026 local reporting.
Terrain: Steep, forested or vegetated island slopes with rocky shoreline.
Coordinate Rule: Representative map anchor from OpenStreetMap-derived Mapcarta listing; not suitable for navigation or legal delimitation.

Trip planning

Access, season and time shape the whole visit

Access

Mainland Context: Da Nang and the Hai Van coastal area.
Transport: Sea access only; no bridge or road to the island.
Boat Rule: No guaranteed public ferry, schedule, fare or landing point is established.
Authority Rule: Confirm permissions with current maritime and local authorities.

Visitor needs

Different visitors experience the island differently

Accessibility

Overall: No verified accessible visitor landing or facilities.
Caution: Boat transfers and rocky terrain may present substantial barriers.

Photography

Recommended: Mainland and authorized vessel views of island silhouette, Hai Van backdrop and bay entrance.
Restrictions: Do not photograph sensitive facilities where prohibited or operate drones without authorization.
Wildlife: Do not disturb nesting wildlife or marine habitats.

Interpretation

Common mistakes when reading the island

Do not assume

Hon Son Cha is not the Son Tra Peninsula.
Hon Chao and Hon Son Tra Con are alternative names for the same island.
Administrative management was assigned to Da Nang in 2024.
An attractive island landscape does not imply open tourism access.
A lighthouse and border-guard presence do not constitute a civilian settlement.

Timeline

How the island reached its present character

Before 2024

Historical boundary issue

The Hai Van coastal boundary and Hon Son Cha were discussed in administrative delimitation between Da Nang and former Thua Thien Hue.

2024-09-18

Government assigns management to Da Nang

Resolution 144/NQ-CP determines the relevant administrative boundary and assigns Hon Son Cha to Da Nang.

2025-03

Management responsibilities transferred

Da Nang newspaper reports the handover of protection and management duties for the island.

2026-02

Contemporary island conditions documented

Da Nang newspaper describes an uninhabited island with border-guard and lighthouse personnel and reports approximate area and elevation.

Glossary

Useful island terms and local context

Hon Chao: Alternative Vietnamese name for Hon Son Cha.
Hon Son Tra Con: Alternative island name, distinct from the Son Tra Peninsula.
Administrative management: Responsibility for local administration; not the same as unrestricted public access.
Representative coordinate: A map point used to locate a feature, not a surveyed boundary or navigation fix.
Maritime access: Approach by sea, subject to safety, navigation and access rules.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Where is Hon Son Cha?

Off the seaward foot of Hai Van Pass near the northern approach to Da Nang Bay.

Is Hon Son Cha the same as Son Tra Peninsula?

No. Hon Son Cha is a separate island; the Son Tra Peninsula lies elsewhere on the Da Nang coast.

What is Hon Chao?

Hon Chao is an alternative name for Hon Son Cha.

Which city manages the island?

Da Nang, under Government Resolution 144/NQ-CP dated 18 September 2024.

Does anyone live on the island?

Da Nang reporting in February 2026 describes no civilian residents, while border-guard and lighthouse personnel serve there.

How large is the island?

About 1.6 square kilometres in February 2026 local reporting; treat this as approximate.

Can visitors freely land?

Do not assume so. Check current permission, maritime conditions and authorized transport.

Is there a public ferry?

No reliable scheduled public-ferry service is verified in the sources used.

Can I fly a drone?

Do not assume permission near security or maritime facilities.

What makes the island distinctive?

Its location beneath Hai Van Pass, separate island identity, lighthouse and maritime-security role.

Sources

Primary references

Government of Vietnam / legal republicationResolution 144/NQ-CP (18 September 2024)

Source ↗

Báo Đà NẵngBàn giao nhiệm vụ quản lý, bảo vệ hòn Sơn Chà

Source ↗

Báo Đà NẵngHòn Sơn Chà - nơi người lính giữ xuân giữa biển trời

Source ↗

Da Nang Tourism PortalHòn Sơn Chà – Điểm đến biển đảo đầy cuốn hút tại Đà Nẵng

Source ↗

Mapcarta / OpenStreetMapHòn Sơn Chà Map

Source ↗