Few people know that, just over 100km from Ho Chi Minh City, there is a place that holds a record that makes many people admire.
Vietnam is famous for many constructions and places that set unique records for the continent and the world. For example, the Golden Bridge in Da Nang was voted by international press as one of the most impressive pedestrian bridges on the planet, while Fansipan is known as the "roof of Indochina" with a height of 3,143 meters, a dream destination for many mountain climbing enthusiasts.
Even caves like Son Doong in Quang Binh are recognized as the largest natural cave in the world, attracting thousands of international explorers. Here is another example, a construction that set a "best in Asia" record right in the South Central region, just over 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City. That is: The longest statue of Buddha entering Nirvana is placed on the top of Ta Cu mountain, old Binh Thuan province, now Lam Dong province.
Photo 24H
The longest Buddha statue in Asia on the top of Ta Cu Mountain
Located at an altitude of nearly 650 meters above sea level, Ta Cu Mountain is home to the famous Buddha statue in Nirvana. Construction of the statue began in 1963 and was completed in 1966. With a length of 49 meters and a height of about 11 meters, the statue has been recognized as the longest Buddha statue in Nirvana on a mountain top in Asia. This information was published by Tin Tuc Newspaper, emphasizing that this is a particularly rare religious and architectural work.
The statue is cast in reinforced cement, covered with white lime, with a simple but majestic appearance in the mountains and forests. The quiet space around Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda, where the statue is located, makes the statue even more sacred. Venerable Tran Huu Duc, who founded the pagoda in the late 19th century, used to practice in a cave on the mountain and treat people.
That mark makes this place an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists across the country. Many tourists, after seeing the pictures, especially the video of the statue, shared that they were very surprised to have such a place. As for those who have actually admired the giant white statue, they had to exclaim, "It was truly overwhelming!". "Luckily, my mother took me there when I was a child. At that time, it was very wild, there was no cable car. I had to walk up the mountain. The reclining Buddha statue is very beautiful and very big," quoted from a tourist.
Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda on Ta Cu Mountain (Binh Thuan, now Lam Dong) (Photo: iViVu)
Ta Cu Mountain Tourism: From Traditional Pilgrimage to Modern Experience
Before the cable car, the journey up the mountain was quite a challenge. Visitors had to climb more than 1,000 stone steps through the forest, taking from one and a half to two hours. This is both a physical experience and a way for many people to show their devotion when making a pilgrimage. In 1998, the cable car system was put into use, shortening the journey to about 10 minutes.
According to some travel sites, the round-trip ticket price is currently about 250,000 VND for adults, with a lower price for children. However, those who love trekking can still choose the traditional road to enjoy the fresh air and explore the rich forest ecosystem.
Services at the tourist area are increasingly diverse. According to VnExpress, in addition to the entrance ticket of about 50,000 VND per person, visitors can use the internal electric car, participate in small games such as swan pedaling or fishing. Many combo ticket packages integrate the cable car, electric car and sightseeing for convenience. The restaurant and eatery system serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine, meeting the needs of pilgrims as well as regular tourists.
Tourists can now take the cable car to the top of Ta Cu Mountain (Photo: Lam Dong Newspaper)
Tourists who like challenges and exploration can still choose to trek up the mountain (Photo: TTC World - Ta Cu)
Another highlight at Ta Cu is the system of pagodas on the mountain including Linh Son Truong Tho, Long Doan and Hang To. This is not only a place of worship but also preserves the historical vestiges of local Buddhism. In addition, since 1996, Ta Cu Mountain has been associated with traditional mountain climbing competitions, now becoming an annual sports and cultural event, attracting hundreds of athletes and tourists. Lam Dong Newspaper once noted that the mountain climbing competition originated from the image of children carrying things for pilgrims to the temple, then developed into a larger tournament.
With a location along National Highway 1A, about 28km from Phan Thiet and just over 100km from Ho Chi Minh City, Ta Cu is a convenient destination for a short trip. The best time to visit is usually from November to April of the following year, when the weather is dry and there is little rain. However, if you choose to hike, visitors need to prepare sneakers, drinking water and avoid going during the hot noon. The temple space also requires respect, so you should dress politely and keep order.
The place with "Asia's longest Buddha statue on the mountain", more than 100km from Ho Chi Minh City, visitors commented: So overwhelming! - Photo 7. Photo Traveloka
Possessing the longest Buddha statue in Asia, Ta Cu Mountain is not only the pride of the locality but also a prominent destination on the spiritual and ecological tourism map of Vietnam. This is a place for tourists to find peace and experience the majestic natural landscape. After Binh Thuan was merged into Lam Dong, Ta Cu tourist area will be included in the new development plan, promising more investment and strong promotion. Lao Dong newspaper said that the administrative merger will help connect the region, opening up opportunities for larger-scale tourism exploitation.
From the arduous pilgrimage journey of the past to the smooth cable car rides of today, Ta Cu has been affirming its appeal. This is clear proof that, to admire continental records, tourists do not need to go far, just a short trip from Ho Chi Minh City to reach a truly overwhelming scene.
According to Channel 14