VI
EN
Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the 2025 Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival, a particularly striking photograph captured a memorable moment that resonated strongly with the international community. It depicts thousands of pilgrims, with reverence, sleeping overnight on tarpaulins at the foot of Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh province). This image not only deeply moved those who witnessed it firsthand but also spread rapidly across social media platforms, attracting the attention of numerous international visitors.
The impact of the photograph extends beyond Vietnam, reaching a global audience. The authentic moments captured at the foot of Mount Ba Den have been widely shared on numerous international social media platforms. Notably, on the popular website Bored Panda, a platform for unique artworks and stories, the photograph was praised by its author as a vibrant "abstract painting."
The photo went viral on Vietnamese and international news sites.
Photographs capturing the scene of thousands of pilgrims gathering overnight at the foot of Mount Ba Den in Tay Ninh during the 2025 Mount Ba Den Spring Festival have created a powerful wave of emotion, not only among Vietnamese people but also among international tourists. The uniqueness and impact of these images have sparked many interesting associations.
The image of crowds of people flocking to the foot of Mount Ba Den to camp and sleep on colorful tarpaulins has gone viral on social media.
Some people see these images as colorful Lego blocks meticulously stacked together, creating a vibrant abstract painting. Others, however, feel a sense of familiarity and closeness, as the bright colors and random arrangement of the tarpaulins evoke memories of Tay Ninh's famous mixed rice paper salad.
In fact, these images capture the scene of thousands of pilgrims gathering at the foot of Mount Ba Den, one of Vietnam's most famous spiritual sites, to prepare for their journey to the summit to pray for blessings at the beginning of the new year. According to Chloe Arcy, the author of the article on Bored Panda, Mount Ba Den is not only an iconic landmark of Southern Vietnam but also an important spiritual destination.
"While some people think it looks like stacked Lego bricks, others say this colorful photo reminds them of Tay Ninh's mixed rice paper salad," Chleo Arcy said.
During the Lunar New Year, Vietnamese people traditionally visit famous spiritual sites with family and friends to pray for a peaceful and happy new year. At the foot of Ba Den Mountain, thousands of people gather along the roads to participate in the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival, a unique cultural event held annually from the 4th to the 16th day of the first lunar month. This is one of the largest festivals in Tay Ninh province, attracting a large number of people from all over.
46-year-old photographer Nguyen Minh Tu from Ho Chi Minh City captured the vibrant and bustling atmosphere at Ba Den Mountain on the afternoon of the 4th day of the Lunar New Year. His aerial photographs vividly depicted the lively scene of people camping overnight at the foot of the mountain, creating an impressive panoramic picture.
At the foot of Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh), crowds of tourists from all directions flock to participate in the annual Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival.
These images quickly spread across hundreds of websites and news platforms both domestically and internationally, attracting widespread attention. The combination of the natural beauty of Mount Ba Den, the large and devout crowds of pilgrims, and the photographer's talent created unique works of art, capturing a memorable moment in the cultural and religious life of the Vietnamese people.
Many viewers have compared these photos to vivid abstract paintings. Interestingly, upon closer inspection, new details emerge, creating a vibrant picture of how Vietnamese people celebrate Lunar New Year.
This is considered an impressive abstract painting.
Families arrived with mats, blankets, lamps, and tents, transforming the foothills into a colorful "sea of people." The stark contrast between the massive crowds and the smaller, more boisterous groups of tourists further enhanced the visual appeal of the photograph.
During the Lunar New Year, thousands of people from all over flock to Ba Den Mountain, believing that offering incense there will bring blessings from the Bodhisattva Linh Son Thanh Mau. At the summit, visitors are amazed by the majestic beauty of the towering statue of the Buddha Tay Bo Da Son, as well as the grandeur of the world's largest statue of the Maitreya Bodhisattva. These Buddhist architectural structures are not only symbols of devotion but also unique cultural highlights, attracting the attention of both domestic and international tourists.
Mount Ba Den, a famous spiritual and tourist symbol of Tay Ninh, attracts visitors not only with its majestic natural beauty but also with its profound cultural and religious values.
Mount Ba Den has long been an ideal destination for photography enthusiasts. From the summit, visitors can gaze out over the vast Tay Ninh plain, the sparkling Dau Tieng Lake like a giant mirror, and the winding roads snaking through endless green rice fields. The experience of "standing above the clouds, gazing at the vast lowlands" offers visitors a sense of relaxation and peace, helping them temporarily forget the worries of daily life.
