During your travel journey to the splendid city of Binh Thuan, you should not miss out on the opportunity to visit Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda. Being among the city's most splendid and revered pagodas, this ancient Buddhist icon consistently leaves a profound impact on tourists. Read on to discover some interesting facts about this pagoda.
1. Location and History of Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda
Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda, popularly referred to as the Mountain Pagoda, is located in Thuan Nam Town, Ham Thuan Nam District, Binh Thuan Province. This holy site possesses a prime location in the Ta Cu Mountain tourist area, covering more than 250,000 square meters. It boasts a strategic proximity alongside the National Highway 1A, standing at a distance of 30 kilometers from Phan Thiet City while maintaining a more significant distance of 170 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City.
Back in 1872, the determined monk Tran Huu Duc went on a special journey to the quiet Ta Cu Mountain to find a peaceful place to think and meditate. For seven years, the monk stayed in a hidden cave on the mountain before being found by the people who lived in the nearby forest. They felt inspired by his goodness and decided to help him by building a beautiful temple on the mountain.
In 1880, the monk offered a special medicine to help heal Queen Dowager Tu Du's sickness, and as a token of appreciation, King Tu Duc presented him with the precious gift of "Linh Son Truong Tho," consisting of four meaningful letters. Since then, the temple has been named Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda.
2. Highlights of Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda, Binh Thuan, Vietnam
Being one of the most captivating tourist destinations in Phan Thiet Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda, it is surrounded by the magnificent nature of Ta Cu Mountain. It has traditional Vietnamese architecture, featuring a three-door gate, shrine, Buddha statue, ancestral church, and tomb towers. The pagoda's serene beauty, adorned with historical and natural elements, creates a tranquil haven. It is not exaggerated to say that Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda is where human artistry and the landscape unite in a symphony of grandeur and peace.
Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda is famous for its concrete statue of the reclining Buddha, built in 1963 by sculptor Truong Dinh Y, which measures 49 meters in length and seven meters in height. It is worth noting that when carrying out the work, this sculptor cut his hair and did not come down the mountain until he completed the Buddha statue in 1966. Thousands of tons of cement were hauled to the position of the monument by laborers via a two-kilometer trail with several rocky and winding portions, according to monks at the pagoda. In 2013, the statue set a record as "Asia's longest reclining Buddha statue".
>>> Let’s explore some sacred Vietnamese pagodas!
3. What to do when visiting Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda?
- Visit nearby pagodas
After admiring the beauty of Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda, tourists should spend time exploring some nearby holy sites in Ta Cu Forest, including Ta Cu Mountain Pagoda, To Pagoda, and Long Doan Pagoda. Ta Cu Mountain Pagoda is famous for its three grand Buddha statues that stand tall – Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara, and the white-clad Dai The Chi. Meanwhile, To Pagoda is an ideal destination for those who are interested in the Nguyen Dynasty architectural style. In contrast to To Pagoda, Long Doan Pagoda possesses modern architecture, gracing the East side of the mountain.
- Go trekking
If you are fond of staying active, exploring new things, and seeking adventure, trekking on Ta Cu Mountain is a must-try activity for you! The journey involves climbing up the mountain on a 2500-meter-long forest path. It will be a challenging journey as travelers have to conquer more than a thousand stone steps. However, your effort will pay off as you reach the top of Noc Tru, which is 694 meters above sea level. From here, you will be rewarded with an incredible view of Binh Thuan from a distance.
- Discover Ta Cu Mountain by cable car or electric tourist car
For those who do not want to go trekking to discover Ta Cu Mountain, you can opt for a more convenient and time-saving way by taking a cable car or electric tourist car. When you are up there in the cable car, you have the opportunity to admire the panoramic view of Ta Cu Mountain and the bustling Thuan Nam Town.
>>> Let’s find out some fascinating things about Phan Thiet Vietnam!
4. Travel tips for first-time visitors to Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda
4.1. When is the best time to visit the pagoda?
There are two main seasons in this area: the rainy season from May to October and the dry season from November to April. The best time to visit the pagoda on Ta Cu Mountain is during the dry season, as rainy weather can mess up your plans and make moving around the mountain tricky and even a bit unsafe. If you want to experience the busiest and most exciting atmosphere, it is recommended that you visit Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda in the spring, as Vietnamese people have the tradition of visiting the pagoda at the beginning of the year.
>>> Don’t forget to check Phan Thiet weather in advance!
4.2. How to get there?
Getting to Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda is made easy by the Ta Cu cable car, which operates every day of the week, including weekends, public holidays, and New Year’s. The cable car runs from 8 am to 5 pm, and please note that the ticket counter closes at 4 pm, so make sure to arrive before then.
For a convenient and enjoyable round-trip experience, the cable car fare includes both the tram ride and sightseeing. Here is the fare breakdown:
- Adults: 250,000 VND for a round trip
- Children between 1 meter and 1.3 meters in height: 150,000 VND for a round trip
- Children under 1 meter tall: Free
4.3. What to eat?
Ta Cu Mountain is one of the key tourist attractions of Binh Thuan Province, so there is a delightful array of restaurants and cafes offering numerous kinds of delectable food and beverages. Tourists should embrace the chance to savor some Binh Thuan specialties such as Ca Ty squid cake and Phan Thiet dry squid. If you are looking for restaurants with spacious settings and rich menus, Taku Restaurant, Colia Minh Restaurant, and Modjo Bar & Restaurant are some ideal choices for you.
4.4. Service fees
This table illustrates some information regarding service fees at Ta Cu Mountain that you should pay attention to.
| Type of ticket | Fee |
| Entrance ticket | 50,000 VND/adult 30,000 VND/child |
| Fishing ticket | 10,000 VND/fishing rod |
| Swan boat ticket | 10,000 VND/person |
| Electric car ticket | 10,000 VND/adult 5,000 VND/child |
| Full package ticket | Sightseeing package + cable car for adults: 225,000 VND/person Sightseeing package + cable car for children: 135,000/child |
Besides Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda, Binh Thuan offers tourists numerous other fascinating destinations to explore such as Mui Ne, Red Sand Dunes, Fairy Stream, Ke Ga Lighthouse, Phan Thiet Market, Hon Rom Island, Phu Quy Island, etc.
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Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda is a must-visit Binh Thuan tourist attraction thanks to its charming architecture and tranquil atmosphere. Here, you can escape from the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the serene spiritual life of Binh Thuan’s people. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, make sure to include this location in your itinerary!
