Tay Ninh 1-day tour: Journey to conquer the roof of the South - Visit the Maitreya Buddha Statue and the spiritual complex of Ba Den Mountain

Ba Den Mountain is not only the “roof of the South” with a height of 986m, but also one of the largest Buddhist centers in Southern Vietnam. From the majestic giant Maitreya Buddha statue on the top of the mountain, the sacred Ba Pagoda, to unique spiritual structures such as the Nirvana Statue, the Prajnaparamita Sutra Pillar, the Garden of No-Self…, this place has become an indispensable destination for those who are looking for a spiritual journey combined with conquering nature.

Ba Den Mountain – Spiritual symbol in the heart of Tay Ninh

Ba Den Mountain is known as the “Roof of the South”, and is also a sacred acupuncture point associated with the legend of Linh Son Thanh Mau, attracting millions of pilgrims and worshippers every year. (Photo: Tran Tuan Viet)

Located about 100km from Ho Chi Minh City, in Tay Ninh province , Ba Den Mountain has an altitude of nearly 1,000m - the most attractive spiritual and tourist destination in the Southern region. Every year, millions of pilgrims flock here to worship, pray for peace, and attend major Buddhist festivals such as Ba Pagoda Festival or Vesak Festival.

Journey to conquer the "roof of the South"

1. Travel by cable car – See Tay Ninh from above

This is a cable car system that helps tourists shorten the journey to conquer Ba Den mountain peak from 4 hours to only 8 minutes. (Photo: Collected)

You can easily conquer the mountain top by the modern Sun World cable car system, which only takes about 10 minutes. From the cabin, you will admire the panoramic view of the plains, the Vam Co Dong River and the immense sugarcane and rice fields - a satisfying experience between nature and the sky. (Cable car ticket price: 250,000 - 350,000 VND/person/trip)

2. Mountain trekking – A challenge for those who love to explore

“Mountain climbing requires a lot of skills and experience, especially climbing difficult paths and forest paths,” said Chung Quoc Thanh. (Photo: Chung Quoc Thanh)

If you are an adventurous person, the Ba Den mountain climbing route through paths such as the electric pole road and the Hang Pagoda road will bring an extremely impressive trekking experience. Although it takes about 4-6 hours, reaching the top is an extremely satisfying feeling.

Spiritual places not to be missed at Ba Den Mountain

1. Maitreya Buddha Statue – Symbol of joy and blessings

The Maitreya Buddha statue is placed on a special terrain, on top of the steep watershed of Ba Den Mountain. (Photo: Collected)

The Maitreya Buddha statue, over 30m high, sits majestically on the mountain top, symbolizing peace, compassion and luck. Visitors come here not only to pray but also to feel the positive energy and meditative space amidst the clouds.

2. Tay Bo Da Son Buddha Statue - The largest Guanyin statue in Asia

On the top of the mountain is a complex of majestic spiritual structures, highlighted by the tallest Buddha statue in Asia. (Photo: Collected)

The 72m high Guanyin Bodhisattva statue – standing majestically amidst the majestic nature, is one of the most magnificent Buddhist works in Vietnam. This is also the place to enshrine Buddha relics from India, very sacred on the occasion of Vesak.

3. Statue of Buddha Sakyamuni entering Nirvana - Symbol of liberation

The reclining Buddha statue, also known as “Buddha entering Nirvana”, is a work not to be missed on a pilgrimage to the sacred land of Tay Ninh. (Photo: Collected)

Located near the spiritual square on the top of the mountain, the Nirvana Buddha statue depicts the Buddha entering nirvana in a state of peace. The statue has profound doctrinal value, expressing the truth of impermanence and selflessness in Buddhism.

4. Ba Pagoda - Linh Son Tien Thach Tu

Linh Son Tien Thach Tu is the oldest and oldest pagoda in Tay Ninh. (Photo: Collected)

Ba Temple, full name Linh Son Tien Thach Tu, was built in the 18th century, is the place to worship Linh Son Thanh Mau. This is the most sacred temple in the area, where thousands of people come to worship on the full moon and the first day of the lunar month, especially the Ba Temple festival on the full moon of January.

5. The Heart Sutra – Wisdom in Every Word

Located on the first floor, at the foot of the Buddha statue of Tay Bo Da Son, moving the escalator deeper down is the solemn and magical scene of the Heart Sutra Pillar cluster. (Photo: Collected)

The majestic stone pillar, engraved with the entire Heart Sutra, is placed in the middle of an open and peaceful space. Visitors often read the sutra here to pray for clear wisdom and perseverance on the path of cultivation.

6. Buddhist Exhibition Center – Intersection of culture and spirituality

The highlight of the Exhibition Center is the 3D mapping cinema dome with the world's leading modern projection and sound equipment. (Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain)

The exhibition space displays Buddha statues, ancient scriptures, religious objects and international Vesak documents, providing a profound experience of the history of Buddhism development in Vietnam and the world. Very suitable for families, students and those who love Buddhist culture.

7. The Garden of No-Self – A meditation corner among the clouds

Located at the top of Ba Den Mountain, Vo Nga Garden is a wonderful place for Buddhists and meditation followers. (Photo: Collected)

Located behind the Maitreya Buddha statue, the Anatta Garden is a tranquil meditation space covered with green grass, ancient trees and stone-paved paths. This is an ideal place for practitioners to meditate, read sutras, or simply sit quietly between the earth and sky, feeling the anatta and impermanence.

Tay Ninh Vegetarian Cuisine – Pure Nutrition for Pilgrims

Vegetarian rice is considered one of the culinary experiences that every tourist who has ever enjoyed it will remember. (Photo: Collected)

After the pilgrimage, visitors can enjoy simple vegetarian dishes that are still rich in Southern flavors such as: vegetarian vermicelli soup, vegetarian pancakes, mushroom hotpot, mixed vegetarian rice...

• Featured vegetarian restaurants: Thien Duyen, Chay Tam Duc, Sen Vang
• Note: You should have a light meal before going to the temple to keep your mind calm and avoid being too full and causing fatigue when moving.

 

Suggested 1-day itinerary to visit and explore Ba Den Mountain

With 6 pagodas from the foot of the mountain to the middle of the mountain and a large spiritual complex on the top, Ba Den Mountain offers countless unique cultural and spiritual experiences. (Photo: Collected)

🕖 08:00 – Departure from Ho Chi Minh City
🕖 10:00 – Arrive at the foot of the mountain, take the cable car
🕖 10:30 – Worship Maitreya, Nirvana, and Guanyin statues
🕖 12:00 – Eat vegetarian food and rest
🕖 14:00 – Visit Ba Pagoda, Prajnaparamita Sutra Pillar, Vo Nga Garden
🕖 16:00 – Buy Tay Ninh specialties (shrimp salt, rice paper)
🕖 18:00 – Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Some notes when making a pilgrimage to Ba Den Mountain

Offering lanterns on top of Ba Den Mountain. (Photo: Nguyen Minh Tu)

• Dress modestly and politely, especially when entering the temple.
• Do not litter, speak softly, keep the space clean.
• Book early if you intend to stay in Tay Ninh.
• Bring water, a hat, and a light jacket, especially if hiking in the mountains.

The journey to Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh is not simply a tourist trip. It is a return to oneself, finding peace through the chanting of Buddhist scriptures, through each meditative step in the middle of nature, and through the compassion emanating from the majestic statues. If you are looking for a peaceful place to regenerate life energy, a place that combines discovery - pilgrimage - contemplation, then Ba Den Mountain is the destination not to be missed in 2025.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/tour-tay-ninh-1-ngay-hanh-trinh-chinh-phuc-noc-nha-nam-bo-dai-tuong-phat-di-lac-nui-ba-den-v16984.aspx