Ba Den Mountain, the highest peak in Southern Vietnam, has long been a symbol of spiritual tourism and an attractive destination for visitors from all directions. Not only famous for its majestic scenery and sacred pagoda system, Ba Den Mountain also hides countless interesting things waiting for you to explore. With a detailed itinerary and travel experiences shared below, you will have a fulfilling and memorable journey to explore Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh.
Cloud Hunting on the Mountain Peak (5:00 AM – 6:00 AM)
If you are a nature lover and photography enthusiast, don’t miss the opportunity to hunt for clouds on the peak of Ba Den Mountain in the early morning. Unique cloud phenomena such as lenticular clouds, iridescent clouds, or a sea of clouds often appear, creating a rare and magnificent scene. Especially in the rainy season, after afternoon rains, the chance of “hunting” a sea of clouds is even higher. From a distance, Ba Den Mountain peak looks like it’s wearing a giant cloud hat, floating in the air, beautifully mesmerizing. The moment dawn breaks, the morning sunlight shines through the clouds, illuminating the scenery, creating a magnificent natural painting that you will hardly forget.
Clouds drift over Ba Den Mountain peak in Tay Ninh, creating a majestic and magnificent natural landscape
Pilgrimage to the Spiritual Land at Ba Pagoda Area (6:00 AM – 7:00 AM)
To make your journey to explore Ba Den Mountain more meaningful, take time to visit the Ba Pagoda area, which gathers a system of ancient and sacred pagodas. From the foot of the mountain, you can take a cable car to the mountainside, where famous pagodas such as Linh Son Tien Thach Tu Pagoda (Ba Den Pagoda), Hang Pagoda, Hoa Dong Pagoda, Quan Am Pagoda, and Long Chau Phuoc Trung Pagoda are located.
Linh Son Tien Thach Tu is the oldest and most famous pagoda on Ba Den Mountain, with a history of over 300 years. The pagoda is not only a unique architectural work but also an important spiritual symbol of the people of Southern Vietnam. Here, you can worship the pure white statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, holding a vase of nectar, praying for peace, luck, and fortune. Next to Ba Pagoda is Dien Ba, where Linh Son Thanh Mau is worshiped, a deity respected by the people and to whom they entrust wishes for health and family harmony.
In the pagoda grounds, you will encounter the great bell, where many people come to sit in meditation, listening to the echoing bell sound in the peaceful space, dispelling the worries of life. The Ba Pagoda area is not only a spiritual destination but also a place for you to find inner peace, immerse yourself in the serene space, and admire the unique architecture of the ancient pagodas.
The sacred Ba Pagoda complex located on the hillside of Ba Den Mountain, a famous spiritual destination in Tay Ninh
Paying Respects to the Tay Bo Da Son Buddha Statue on the Summit (10:00 AM)
After your pilgrimage at the Ba Pagoda area, continue your journey to the mountain peak by cable car to admire the majestic Tay Bo Da Son Buddha statue, one of the tallest bronze Buddha statues in Asia. The Buddha statue appears amidst the vast space of the mountain peak, with a gentle face, left hand holding a nectar vase, right hand making the Teaching mudra, a symbol of bestowing blessings and protecting sentient beings.
From the spacious square on the mountaintop, you can admire the panoramic view of the lush plains hidden in the sea of clouds. The majestic and peaceful natural scenery here will make you feel relaxed and at peace. Ba Den Mountain peak is not only a spiritual destination but also a place for you to immerse yourself in nature, enjoy the fresh air, and admire the wonderful scenery.
The majestic Tay Bo Da Son Buddha statue on Ba Den Mountain peak, a spiritual symbol and must-visit destination in Tay Ninh
Enjoying Diverse Cuisine on the Mountain Peak (12:00 PM)
After a journey of exploration and worship, you can recharge with delicious dishes at restaurants and eateries on the peak of Ba Den Mountain. Here, you have many diverse culinary options, from familiar fast food such as pho, banh mi, chicken rice, pizza, sausages, to local specialties and Asian-European buffets. Enjoying cuisine while admiring the beautiful natural scenery from the mountain peak will be an interesting and memorable experience.
In particular, don’t forget to try the famous Ba Den ice cream, with many delicious flavors and unique shapes, mimicking symbols of Ba Den Mountain such as the cable car station, the 986m milestone, and lotus flowers. Ba Den ice cream is not only a great refreshing treat but also a meaningful souvenir that you can buy as gifts for friends and relatives.
If you want to experience a more upscale dining experience, the Nam Chau buffet restaurant on the mountaintop is an ideal choice. With hundreds of delicately prepared Asian-European dishes, Nam Chau restaurant will offer you a sumptuous and memorable lunch. To save costs, you can buy a combo ticket for the cable car and buffet at the cable car departure station area to enjoy preferential prices.
Diverse and attractive buffet at a restaurant on Ba Den Mountain peak, a culinary experience not to be missed
Exploring the Unique Buddhist Exhibition (2:00 PM)
Right below the Tay Bo Da Son Buddha statue is a modern and unique 4-story Buddhist exhibition center. This is an interesting cultural and spiritual destination that you should not miss when exploring Ba Den Mountain.
On the 1st floor, you will admire a 3D mapping film about the Buddhist universe on a large dome screen, applying the world’s leading modern projection technology. The 2nd floor displays 3D hologram models of 16 famous Vietnamese pagodas and unique prayer wheels. The 3rd floor is a space displaying simulated versions of classic Buddhist artworks from around the world.
In particular, the 4th floor is where the Buddha’s relics are kept, a priceless Buddhist treasure donated by the World Buddhist Federation. For Buddhists, being able to worship the Buddha’s relics is a great blessing. In addition, at the underground Dharma preaching area, you can also admire a cluster of 5 black kim sa granite pillars, carved with the Heart Sutra in gold letters, a unique and impressive Buddhist architectural work.
Black kim sa granite Bat Nha Sutra pillars at the underground Buddhist exhibition area on Ba Den Mountain, a unique Buddhist architectural work
Participating in the Sacred Candlelight Offering Ceremony (5:00 PM)
If you have the opportunity to visit Ba Den Mountain on a Saturday evening, don’t miss the candlelight offering ceremony, a unique spiritual cultural ritual held on the mountaintop. From the afternoon, thousands of visitors gather at the square at the foot of the Buddha statue to receive free candles and write their wishes on the candles themselves.
As night falls, the candlelight offering ceremony begins in a solemn and sacred atmosphere. Thousands of shimmering candles are lit, creating a magical and beautiful scene on the mountaintop. Along with the sound of prayers, the candlelight offering ceremony is an opportunity for you to send your wishes for peace, luck, and blessings for your family and loved ones.
Especially during the Vu Lan season (Ghost Festival), the grand candlelight offering ceremony is held on a larger scale, carrying the meaning of filial piety and gratitude for parents’ nurturing merits. This is also an opportunity for you to listen to true practitioners share about filial piety and enjoy meaningful Buddhist art performances.
Shimmering and sacred candlelight offering ceremony on Ba Den Mountain peak every Saturday evening, a unique spiritual cultural experience
Enjoying the Spectacular Water Music Show (8:00 PM)
After the candlelight offering ceremony, move down to the area of the Maitreya Bodhisattva statue to enjoy the spectacular water music show, combining music, lights, and modern water effects. The water music show uses a system of 1,450 lights and leading technology equipment in Vietnam, creating impressive and eye-catching performances.
The center of the water music show is the world’s leading large sandstone Maitreya Bodhisattva statue. The show is imbued with meditation colors, concluding a day of exploring Ba Den Mountain with peaceful and relaxed emotions. The water music show is an attractive evening entertainment activity, bringing you memorable experiences and concluding a fulfilling day of exploring Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh.
Modern and spectacular water music show next to the Maitreya Bodhisattva statue on Ba Den Mountain, an evening entertainment activity not to be missed
With a detailed itinerary and the above suggestions, hopefully you will have a meaningful and memorable trip to explore Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh. Ba Den Mountain is not only a spiritual tourist destination but also a place for you to reconnect with nature, relax your soul, and discover the unique cultural beauty of Tay Ninh.