Mount Sam during the festival season

In the fourth lunar month, when the first rains of the season arrive, awakening the vibrant red blossoms of the flamboyant trees, Mount Sam in Vinh Te ward enters its festival season. This is the time when the mountain is resplendent and bustling.

The green color returns at the foot of the mountain.

Visiting Mount Sam these days, you will be overwhelmed by the natural scenery. Mount Sam is not located in the Seven Mountains region, but it holds sacred legends and a unique beauty. Seen from afar, Mount Sam is lush with the green of its leaves, the vibrant red of the old flame trees, and the serene beauty of the temples nestled on the mountain slopes.

Those who have been connected to Mount Sam long enough will clearly appreciate that the flamboyant tree season is also a stunningly beautiful part of this place. The flamboyant trees, growing along the road up the mountain, bear thousands upon thousands of vibrant red blossoms, as if "igniting" the trees. Summer breezes cause countless petals to fall in the wind, swirling around the feet of hikers climbing the mountain.

Amidst the throngs of people eagerly conquering Mount Sam, Ho Ngoc Uyen, a tourist from Dong Thap province, said: “This is my first time climbing Mount Sam during the Ba Na Hills festival. I thought this place would be like usual during the festival season, mostly just more crowded, but unexpectedly, it's breathtakingly beautiful! The winding path up the mountain, with its many flamboyant trees, made me feel peaceful and forget the fatigue of the hike. I am truly impressed with the natural beauty of Mount Sam during the Ba Na Hills festival, so I will return here next year.”

A vibrant festive atmosphere on the summit of Mount Sam. Photo: THANH TIEN

Ngoc Uyen shared that Mount Sam offers stunning views, and every photo captured is worth the trip. From the mountain, you can gaze down at the bustling town of Vinh Te ward or further afield at Chau Doc city hidden amidst the mist. Looking towards Tinh Bien and Tri Ton, you'll see the majestic mountain ranges of the Bay Nui region stretching out before your eyes.

You may also like

Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 to top Group B of the 2026 World Cup.On the morning of June 25th, the Swiss national team won 2-1 against Canada in their final Group B match of the 2026 World Cup.

The Command of Coast Guard Region 4 reviews its work for the first six months of 2026.On June 24th, in Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone (An Giang province), the Party Committee and Command of Coast Guard Region 4 held a conference to review the work of the Coast Guard during the first six months of 2026. Major General Dao Ba Viet, Commander of the Region, chaired the conference.

Delegation No. 4 of the An Giang Provincial People's Council met with voters in Chau Doc and Vinh Te wards.On June 24th, the Delegation No. 4 of the Provincial People's Council, including: Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of An Giang Province Tran Thi Thanh Huong; Director of the Department of Justice of An Giang Province Trinh Tuan Ngoc; and Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Chau Doc Ward Ngo Thi Quynh Loan, met with voters from Chau Doc and Vinh Te wards before the mid-year regular session of the 11th Provincial People's Council, term 2026-2031.

On the way up Mount Sam, you will also encounter temples with unique architecture. Located on the mountainside, Long Son Pagoda, with its back against the mountain and its front facing the plain, offers expansive views of the vast rice fields. Visitors often stop here to enjoy the tranquility. Next to it, Linh Son Pagoda, with its legendary "fairy footprints," is another highlight that sparks curiosity and interest among visitors.

A place where beliefs and culture converge.

Beyond its scenic beauty, Mount Sam during the festival also boasts the unique charm of a centuries-old cultural event: the reenactment of the procession of the statue of the Lady of the Mountain Sam. Around 3 PM, as the scorching sun begins to set over the mountain slopes, the Organizing Committee of the 2026 Lady of the Mountain Sam Festival begins offering incense at the memorial monument for martyrs in Vinh Te ward. After the solemn ceremony, the procession begins its journey up the mountain.

The elaborately decorated palanquin carrying the Goddess was carried up the mountain by the people, accurately reflecting the legendary story from several hundred years ago. A stream of people orderly made their way up the slope to the stone platform where the Goddess sits atop Mount Sam. The image of provincial and local leaders, members of the Mount Sam Temple Management Board, dressed in formal attire, along with a large number of locals and tourists, ascending the mountain to pay homage to the Holy Mother, truly embodies the essence of a community festival.

Leading the procession to worship the Goddess are colorful lion dances and a sky full of flags, creating a scene that seems to blend the past and the present. Walking in the procession, you can clearly feel the sincerity of each person. The journey to the Goddess's shrine on the mountaintop is quite long, but everyone is cheerful and joyful. They understand that participating in the reenactment of the procession of the Goddess of Sam Mountain is a blessing, a real-life experience, allowing them to live in the cultural space that has been passed down through generations in this land.

Mr. Nguyen Phuc Hoan, Head of the Management Board of the Sam Mountain Mausoleum, said: “The procession of the statue of the Goddess attracts thousands of voluntary participants. The festival is a shared cultural space, a place to strengthen solidarity among the ethnic groups living in this land. This is a beautiful cultural tradition that has existed for many generations, which we preserve and pass on to future generations.”

Being immersed in that crowd, I also felt like a part of the festival. The participants might differ in their hometowns, occupations, and social standing, but they shared a common faith. Therefore, they were always friendly and cheerful with each other, carrying the statue of the Holy Mother down the mountain and placing it in the temple. Despite being strangers, they happily exchanged friendly smiles, shared bottles of water, and yielded to each other in the crowded festival space. Although it was a reenactment of the festival, the faith and solemnity were not much different from when the elders of Vinh Te village and the people used to climb the mountain to pray to the Holy Mother.

As dusk fell, the procession carrying the statue of the Goddess arrived at the temple. The scene at the foot of Mount Sam became lively and vibrant with lanterns and flowers. People bowed and respectfully invited the Holy Mother into the temple. All the rituals were solemn, reflecting the spirit of the Vinh Te - Mount Sam region since its founding. After the Holy Mother was seated, everyone respectfully offered incense to pray for national peace and prosperity, and a bountiful harvest. The festive atmosphere continued in the reverence of everyone until the end of the 27th day of the 4th lunar month.

You may also like

Update on the Lenovo Ideapad line: slim, lightweight, and with outstanding performance.Lenovo IdeaPad series devices are gaining increasing attention from users thanks to their compact design, diverse configurations, and ability to flexibly meet a wide range of needs. They are well-suited for everything from studying and office work to basic content creation. Let's explore some of the most prominent Lenovo IdeaPad models currently available and the unique features of each series.

Minh Khoa has pledged to stay and help the club get promoted to the V-League.Midfielder Nguyen Hoang Minh Khoa continues his commitment to Becamex Ho Chi Minh City FC, the team that was recently relegated from the V-League, in an effort to help the team return to Vietnam's top football league.

200 gifts were given to residents of Chau Doc and Vinh Te wards.On June 2nd, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees of Vinh Te and Chau Doc wards (An Giang province) collaborated with philanthropists to distribute 200 gift packages to disadvantaged households in the two wards.

Those who visit Mount Sam during the festival season will have the opportunity to experience the unique cultural atmosphere of a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Therefore, the Via Ba Chua Xu Festival at Mount Sam is always a destination for those with faith, reverence, and love for the picturesque land of An Giang .

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nui-sam-mua-le-hoi-a488281.html