Awakening Mount Chua Chan - a hidden green gem

Mount Chua Chan not only boasts majestic natural scenery but also holds profound cultural and spiritual values, along with rich traditional festivals.

VTC News•20/04/2025

At 837 meters high, the second highest mountain in Southern Vietnam after Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh , Chua Chan Mountain not only boasts majestic natural scenery but also holds profound cultural and spiritual values, along with rich traditional festivals. These potentials urgently need to be unlocked.

"The hidden green gem"

Mount Chua Chan, also known as Mount Gia Lao, located in Xuan Loc district, Dong Nai province, is a precious gem of the Southeast region of Vietnam. Often referred to as the "second most beautiful mountain" or the "Da Lat of the Southeast," the mountain boasts a pristine beauty with a diverse forest ecosystem, cliffs hidden beneath lush green trees, and clear streams flowing year-round.

From the mountaintop, one can gaze out and admire the panoramic view of the Southeast Vietnam plain with its endless stretches of fields. Thanks to its topography and altitude, the area has a unique climate, much like a miniature Da Lat, cool year-round. In the early morning or at sunset, when mist hangs in the air, the mountaintop takes on a mystical, poetic appearance, like a sleeping fairy.

Besides its natural beauty, Mount Chua Chan is a place where profound spiritual values converge, most notably Buu Quang Pagoda, also known as Gia Lao Pagoda. Located halfway up the mountain, the pagoda was built in the early 20th century, hidden in a natural cave shaped like a dragon's mouth.

The unique architecture blends seamlessly with nature, and the serene atmosphere makes Gia Lao Pagoda a sacred destination, attracting thousands of Buddhists and tourists on pilgrimage every year. This is especially true during the Gia Lao Mother Goddess Festival, also known as the Festival of the Goddess of Mercy, at Gia Lao Pagoda.

The Gia Lao Mother Festival is not only an occasion to express reverence to the Goddess of Mercy, Quan Am, but also a chance for the community to connect and share cultural and religious values.

The solemn rituals, traditional processions, and folk art performances such as lion dances and ceremonial singing create a sacred yet lively atmosphere.

People visiting Chua Chan Mountain Pagoda for worship. (Photo: Hoang Anh)

Besides Gia Lao Pagoda, Chua Chan Mountain also features other spiritual sites such as Lam Son Pagoda, Linh Son Pagoda, and the three-trunked, one-branched banyan tree – a sacred symbol associated with many mystical legends. Local people believe that the banyan tree is the dwelling place of deities, attracting visitors to pray and worship.

Mount Chua Chan also preserves historical landmarks such as the Ham Hinh Secret Base – a revolutionary base during the resistance war, the French governor's guesthouse, and the tea garden of King Bao Dai. The combination of spirituality, culture, and history creates a rich complex of relics, forming the foundation for developing spiritual tourism linked to heritage tourism.

Awakening the "Second Heavenly Mountain"

One of the major advantages of Chua Chan Mountain is its prime geographical location, situated only about 100 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City – an ideal distance for weekend getaways and experiences. Chua Chan Mountain is also located within the Southern key economic zone, easily connecting to neighboring provinces such as Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, and Binh Thuan.

Located at a crucial gateway to trade in the Southeast region, with key transportation projects underway such as the Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway, the Dau Giay - Phan Thiet expressway, and especially the Long Thanh International Airport, not only will the journey to Chua Chan Mountain be shortened, but it will also open up opportunities to attract international tourists.

Currently, Chua Chan Mountain offers several experiential tourism activities such as trekking and camping. In parallel, a cable car system, operational since 2016, also makes it more convenient and easier for Buddhists and tourists to travel to the temple complex.

However, as Mr. Nguyen Son Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province, stated: "For many years, tourism activities in this area have remained rudimentary, lacking linkages, failing to exploit its inherent potential, and not meeting the expectations of the people or the requirements of the province's socio-economic development."

To unlock the tourism potential of this "jewel of the Southeast region," a comprehensive development strategy is needed, harmoniously combining nature conservation, honoring spiritual values, and upgrading modern infrastructure, transforming it into a regional-level ecotourism, resort, and entertainment destination.

To realize that determination, on April 19, 2025, the People's Committee of Dong Nai province held the launching ceremony for the Chua Chan Mountain eco-tourism, resort and entertainment project.

Mr. Nguyen Son Hung stated: " The launch of the Chua Chan Mountain eco-tourism, resort, and entertainment project marks a major turning point in enhancing the local image, creating conditions for infrastructure and service development, and improving the lives of the people."

He also emphasized: " The project, once completed, will create a turning point for local tourism, meeting the projected average demand of approximately 5 million visitors to Chua Chan Mountain by 2030, including about 100,000 overnight visitors."

The project's success not only brings significant revenue to the state budget, but also creates more jobs, improves the quality of life for local people, and affirms Dong Nai's position as a key tourist destination, contributing to promoting sustainable economic growth."

We believe that, with the determination of the local government, the unity of the people, and the involvement of dedicated and visionary investors, Mount Chua Chan will be awakened to become a new focal point of tourism in the Southeast region, worthy of the gifts that nature has bestowed upon it.

Ha An

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/danh-thuc-nui-chua-chan-vien-ngoc-xanh-an-minh-ar938830.html