Travelers have always loved Son Tra Peninsuala’s Ban Co Peak in Da Nang, central Vietnam, but a recent visit by Bill Gates has driven its popularity to new heights.
Bill Gates, the world’s seventh-richest man, visited Da Nang for a vacation from March 4 to 7.
He traveled to Ban Co Peak for ‘cloud hunting’ on the afternoon of March 6.
Cloud hunting involves visiting mountaintops right before sunrise or sunset, just as thick clouds of fog blanket the valley below.
Ban Co Peak’s scenery looks otherworldly covered in a fine layer of fog early in the morning on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Video: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre
The untouched beauty of Ban Co Peak
Located more than 700 meters above sea level and only around 30 kilometers from downtown, Ban Co Peak is an ideal spot for tourists to enjoy an unobstructed view of Da Nang from above.
On clear days, visitors can catch a glimpse of sunset or city lights.
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| The stone sculpture of a fairy eternally deep in thought over a losing game of chess lies on top of Ban Co Peak on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
Ban Co Peak’s distinctive charm, however, is the impenetrable blanket of fog which descends on the mountaintop a few times a year.
The fog begins to thicken at around 400 meters above sea level, hiding the thick green forest below and limiting visibility to about ten meters.
Navigating the peninsula
Vehicles going up the mountain for cloud hunting are advised to take it safe and slow, and to drive closer to the center of the road.
Dang Nam, a resident of Son Tra District in Da Nang, said that it takes only ten minutes of driving up the mountain before one winds up in the clouds.
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| Two tourists pose and take pictures at a famous check-in spot on top of Ban Co Peak on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
He also mentioned that the peninsula often seems to have its own climate, separated from that of the city.
“On sunny days, the road leading to Ban Co Peak is well-shaded by trees,” said Nam.
“Sometimes when the sun is blazing out on the city streets, the atmosphere up here will stay cloudy with a temperature like Da Lat City.
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| A mountain road leading to Ban Co Peak is filled with fog on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
“On foggy days, it creates this hazy, magical feeling, which is not a common sight on coastal trips.”
Currently, there is only a single road leading up to Ban Co Peak although this road is well-maintained and accessible to both cars and bikes after registering at a guard post.
There used to be more than one road, but recent heavy rains and landslides in central Vietnam have put all of them out of commission.
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| Two tourists take pictures at one of many roadside stops on their way up to Ban Co Peak on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
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| Cloud hunters enjoy food and drinks at an outdoor café on top of Ban Co Peak on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
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| Paragliders fly among the fog and hills of Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Hong Huy / Tuoi Tre |
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| An ethereal-looking banyan tree is covered in thick fog on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
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| Cloud hunters in various modes of transport travel up to Ban Co Peak on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre |
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