Famous pilgrimage sites in the South

Mount Chua Chan

Mount Chứa Chan, also known as Gia Ray or Gia Lào, is located in Xuân Lộc district, Đồng Nai province. With many attractive landmarks such as Bảo Đại's tea garden, the nine-trunked banyan tree, the three-trunked banyan tree, and Linh Sơn pagoda, it is a very popular pilgrimage destination for both local Đồng Nai and neighboring provinces.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people come to pilgrimage, visit, and pray for peace and good fortune at the temples scattered throughout the Chua Chan Mountain National Historical and Scenic Area. To visit the temple or the three-trunked banyan tree, you can conquer more than 100 steps yourself or take the cable car. At Chua Chan Mountain, there are entrance fees, cable car fares, parking fees, etc., so each person may spend a total of about 200,000 - 300,000 VND in the tourist area.

Ba Thien Hau Temple

The Thien Hau Temple, also known as the Binh Duong Temple or Thien Hau Shrine, is located on Nguyen Du Street in Thu Dau Mot City. This shrine was established by the Vietnamese-Chinese community to worship Thien Hau Holy Mother.

Every year, a large number of pilgrims visit this place. The "Invoking the Goddess of Fortune" ritual takes place on the 14th day of the first lunar month, signifying the bringing of light, fragrance, and good luck to your family. On the 15th, the procession of the Goddess's palanquin begins, an activity that attracts a large crowd. The ceremony features over 30 lion dance troupes, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere that dispels the fatigue of daily life.

Statue of Christ

The Christ the Redeemer statue, also known as the statue of the outstretched arms of Christ, is a statue of Jesus standing atop a small mountain in Vung Tau city. Built in 1974, the statue is 32 meters tall with an arm span of 18.3 meters. Inside, there is a staircase with 133 steps leading to the statue's arms.

This is one of Vung Tau's most popular pilgrimage and tourist destinations. At the foot of the hill, visitors must climb nearly 1,000 stone steps to reach the statue. Along the way, you can stop at a rest area to have coffee and buy souvenirs run by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. The area is filled with flowers and angel statues. Around the base of the Christ statue are 50 stone benches for visitors to sit, pray, and enjoy the view. Around the pedestal are sculptures depicting Jesus giving the keys to Saint Peter, the Last Supper, and the crucifixion. Below is a white replica of the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, a famous statue attributed to Michelangelo depicting the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus.

Ba Den Mountain

Mount Ba Den is located in Thanh Tan commune, Hoa Thanh district, Tay Ninh province, 110 km from Ho Chi Minh City. From a distance, the mountain resembles an inverted cone resting on a vast rice field. The temples on the mountain are a popular pilgrimage destination, especially during the Lunar New Year and the full moon of the eighth lunar month.

Pilgrimage to the temple in spring – the Thượng Ngươn festival, also known as the Bà Mountain Spring Festival – has long been a familiar spiritual custom. The Bà Mountain complex spans 24 km. It is a place of lush greenery, with winding, treacherous mountain paths and many places featuring straight, cement-paved steps.

Cao Dai Holy See of Tay Ninh

The Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh is located about 5km east of the center of Tay Ninh town. Construction began in 1936 and it is a famous Cao Dai religious architectural landmark in the region. The complex includes many shrines, offices, and living quarters. The most prominent feature is the Holy Temple with its distinctive architecture of two parallel towers, characteristic of the Cao Dai religion.

The Holy See is located within a sacred area of ​​approximately 100 hectares, surrounded by a fence. The main gate is the largest of the twelve entrances to the inner sanctuary. This gate is usually closed and only opened on occasions to welcome heads of state and religious leaders. With its unique architecture, reflecting a harmonious blend of spiritual elements from East to West, the Tay Ninh Holy See is not only a pilgrimage site for Cao Dai followers but also attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists each year.

Truc Lam Zen Monastery

Every year, a large number of tourists and pilgrims travel to Da Lat to visit the famous Truc Lam Zen Monastery. The monastery is located on Phuong Hoang Mountain next to Tuyen Lam Lake, 5km from the center of Da Lat city.

Besides admiring and visiting the meaningful Buddhist structures, architecture, and relics, visitors here also have the opportunity to admire hundreds of different types of flowers, especially rare varieties like desert roses. Furthermore, from the Zen monastery's elevated vantage point, you can take in the panoramic view of the picturesque Tuyen Lam Lake, nestled behind vast pine forests and winding small roads.

Lady of the Land

Mentioning Chau Doc or Mount Sam immediately brings to mind the Lady of the Land Temple. For a long time, this place has been a cultural and religious center for pilgrims and tourists from near and far, especially for people in the Mekong Delta. The Lady of the Land is worshipped at Mount Sam (Chau Doc, An Giang). Many legends surrounding her have been passed down from generation to generation.

After many changes, the temple's architecture now takes the shape of the Chinese character "國" (guo), with a tower-like structure resembling a blooming lotus flower, a three-tiered roof covered with large green tiles, and roof corners soaring high like the bow of a boat gliding on waves. The main hall consists of two layers. The innermost layer is where the Lady of the Land is worshipped, with a stone statue of her placed on a high pedestal, flanked by two white cranes symbolizing her divine and saintly nature. With its spacious and modern design, the Lady of the Land Temple serves millions of visitors and worshippers annually.

Mr. Tran