1. Introduction to Tay Ninh
Tay Ninh is one of the prominent destinations in the Southeast region, known for its harmonious blend of spiritual tourism, nature, and local culture. Located about 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City, this land increasingly attracts tourists during major holidays such as Tay Ninh tourism for Hung Vuong's Commemoration Day, when many choose to embark on pilgrimages, worship, and explore the natural scenery in the solemn atmosphere of the traditional holiday.
Tay Ninh attracts a large number of tourists for sightseeing (Source: Collection)
Not only famous for Ba Den Mountain - the highest mountain in Southern Vietnam, Tay Ninh is also a cultural crossroads of many ethnic communities such as Khmer, Hoa, Cham, and Ta Mun. This cultural diversity is clearly expressed through traditional festivals, folk beliefs, and the system of intangible cultural heritage preserved through many generations. These factors have created a unique identity for the land of Tay Ninh, making it a destination that offers both spiritual value and rich cultural experiences.
2. How to get to Ba Den Mountain Tay Ninh?
To ensure a smooth Tay Ninh Gio To travel journey, tourists can choose from various modes of transportation.
2.1 Getting from Tay Ninh city center to the foot of Ba Den Mountain
From Tay Ninh city center, tourists only need to travel about 7 km northeast to reach the foot of the mountain. This route is quite convenient and offers many options such as motorbikes, personal cars, taxis, or local buses. The travel time usually takes only about 10-15 minutes, suitable for tourists who want to combine visiting many destinations in a single day.
2.2 Getting from the foot of Ba Den Mountain to the summit
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, tourists can choose various ways to conquer the summit of Ba Den Mountain. The most popular method currently is the modern cable car system at Sun World Ba Den Mountain, which shortens the travel time to the summit to only about 8-10 minutes. The cable car route has a total length of over 4,200 m, offering panoramic views of the Tay Ninh plains and facilitating all types of tourists, from the elderly to young children. Book Sun World Ba Den Mountain cable car tickets now to enjoy a memorable trip on the Hung Vuong's Commemoration Day with your family and loved ones!
The cable car system offers a panoramic view of the Tay Ninh plains (Source: Collection)
Besides the cable car, visitors who love exploration can choose to climb the pagoda stairs or trek along forest paths to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the mountain, which is known as the First Heavenly Mountain (De Nhat Thien Son).
3. Must-visit spiritual sites
Here are the prominent sacred sites that visitors should not miss when visiting Tay Ninh during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day.
3.1 Reclining Buddha Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha
The Reclining Buddha Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is located behind Linh Son Tien Thach Pagoda, amidst a cool and tranquil mountain forest. The structure is crafted in a traditional Buddhist style, depicting the Buddha lying on his side in a state of Nirvana, symbolizing ultimate liberation and enlightenment.
Statue of Buddha Shakyamuni entering Nirvana, symbolizing liberation (Source: Collection)
The statue has a solemn white color, placed on an exquisitely carved pedestal with relief patterns carrying Buddhist meanings. Surrounding the statue is a guardhouse with a balcony facing nature, where visitors can stop to admire the mountain scenery and feel a rare sense of peace. During the Tay Ninh Gio To pilgrimage tour, many Buddhists and visitors often offer incense, praying for health, peace, and luck for their families at this sacred site.
3.2 Linh Son Tien Thach Tu (Ba Pagoda)
Linh Son Tien Thach Tu, commonly known as Ba Pagoda, is a famous ancient pagoda associated with the worship of Linh Son Thanh Mau and the over 300-year history of Tay Ninh. Located in the center of the Ba Den Mountain pagoda complex, it is considered the most important pilgrimage site in the Southern region.
The pagoda impresses with its ancient architecture bearing the distinct style of Mahayana Buddhism. The curved roof eaves, intricately carved wooden pillars, and gilded altars create a sacred and solemn atmosphere. Inside, the pagoda is arranged according to the traditional structure of "front Buddha, rear Ancestor," along with many worship areas such as the front hall, main sanctuary, and a courtyard housing a statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.
During the Tay Ninh Gio To pilgrimage tour, many visitors come here to offer incense, praying for peace, prosperity, and health. A special aspect of worship at the pagoda is the ritual of seeking blessings from the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, where visitors can touch or drape a robe over the statue to pray for protection and good fortune.
3.3 Statue of Buddha Kanakamuni
Located in the Uu Dam Garden on the summit of Ba Den Mountain, the Statue of Buddha Kanakamuni is one of the prominent spiritual structures, symbolizing wisdom and enlightenment. The statue is approximately 7.2 meters tall, crafted from red copper coated with 24K gold leaf, placed on a lotus pedestal amidst a golden lotus pond, creating a solemn and tranquil scene.
Buddhist devotees pay homage to the Sacred Statue of Lord Buddha Kakusandha (Source: Collection)
The statue is crafted in a majestic meditative posture under an ancient fig tree, reminiscent of the Udumbara tree symbol, a tree associated with enlightenment in Buddhism. The Buddha's right hand performs the teaching mudra, symbolizing the process of teaching the truth; the left hand holds a fig, symbolizing wisdom and fulfillment.
Surrounding the statue is the Udumbara Waterfall - a circular architectural work with a diameter of about 50 m and a height of 12 m, formed by 32 golden pillars symbolizing the 32 auspicious marks of the Buddha. The waterfall flows down into a golden lotus pond, creating a scene that is both majestic and serene, becoming an impressive pilgrimage and check-in point on the Tay Ninh Gio To travel journey.
3.4 Lady Buddha Tay Bo Da Son Statue
One of the most prominent symbols of Tay Ninh Gio To tourism is the Lady Buddha Tay Bo Da Son Statue, located on the summit of Ba Den Mountain. The structure is 72 m high, cast from 170 tons of red copper, and is considered the tallest bronze Buddha statue in Asia.
From the square at the foot of the statue, visitors can fully admire the majestic beauty of the structure amidst the grand sky and clouds. As you ascend the stairs on either side of the statue, the view opens up to a vast natural landscape with lush green mountains and the Tay Ninh plains stretching out in the distance.
On major holidays such as Hung Vuong Ancestor Commemoration Day, the square area often hosts many special spiritual activities. Visitors can release flower lanterns, write prayers, and offer incense in the shimmering space of thousands of lights.
3.5 Bat Nha Sut Pillar
A spiritual stop on the Tay Ninh Gio To travel journey is the Bat Nha Sut Pillar, a unique architectural work located beneath the square of the Lady Buddha Tay Bo Da Son Statue. Visitors can descend to this area by escalator to explore the sacred space consisting of 5 stone pillars carved from kim sa granite, inscribed with the Bat Nha Sut sutras in prominent gilded Tibetan script.
Inscriptions on the pillar contain profound messages about wisdom, mindfulness, and enlightenment in Buddhism (Collected source)
When strolling mindfully around the Scripture Pillar area, visitors can clearly feel the tranquility of the space, blending with the gentle sound of flowing water like falling rain. This is considered a place that helps people calm their minds, contemplate life philosophies, and move towards virtuous values. Besides its sightseeing value, the area at the foot of the scripture pillar also connects to an underground lecture hall, where Buddhist ceremonies and study activities often take place.
3.6 Buddhist Art Exhibition Area
Within the spiritual complex on the summit of Ba Den Mountain, the Buddhist Art Exhibition Area is a special cultural and artistic space that visitors should visit when traveling to Tay Ninh for Gio To. This exhibition center has an area of about 4,410 m², displaying hundreds of precious artifacts such as bronze statues, bas-reliefs, Buddhist paintings, and artworks of historical value.
Admire the modern 3D mapping projection system (Source: Collection)
The impressive highlight of the exhibition area is the dome hall with a modern 3D mapping projection system, recreating the formation of the universe according to Buddhist beliefs. Vivid images combined with realistic sound take visitors on a journey to explore the philosophy of the universe and the workings of the world. Additionally, this place also enshrines the Buddha's relics, placed in a crystal stupa amidst a tranquil space, becoming a sacred place of worship for many Buddhists and pilgrims.
3.7 Garden of Selflessness
Another unique meditation space atop Ba Den Mountain is the Garden of Selflessness, a garden of about 1,500 m² designed with a meditative landscape style combined with nature. The garden is harmoniously arranged with green trees, rockery miniatures, a circulating waterfall, and multi-tiered ponds, creating a serene space amidst the clouds and sky of Ba Mountain. Statues of young monks with joyful expressions are placed scattered throughout the garden, carrying messages of selflessness, peace, and letting go of worries.
From the Garden of Selflessness, visitors can gaze out at the panoramic view of the Tay Ninh plains stretching out below the mountain. During the day, the scenery is highlighted by the green hues of rice fields and mountains; and when night falls, the lights from the city and the tourist area create a magical scene.
4. Interesting Experiences When Traveling to Tay Ninh for Gio To Festival
4.1 Visit pagodas and pray for peace
One of the most meaningful experiences when traveling to Tay Ninh for the Gio To Festival is the pilgrimage to the ancient pagodas on Ba Den Mountain. This place has long been a famous pilgrimage destination in the Southern region, attracting a large number of tourists and Buddhists to pray for peace, health, and good fortune.
Within the complex of Ba Den Mountain pagodas, visitors can visit many prominent spiritual sites such as Linh Son Tien Thach Pagoda (Ba Pagoda) - a pagoda with a history of over 300 years associated with the worship of Linh Son Thanh Mau. There is also Hang Pagoda, located in a natural cave with a mystical and tranquil atmosphere, along with other pagodas such as Linh Son Hoa Dong, Linh Son Phuoc Trung, and Quan Am Pagoda.
4.2 Check-in and admire the scenery from the mountaintop
Besides its spiritual value, Ba Den Mountain is also an ideal destination for those who love exploring nature and taking photos. From the mountaintop at 986 m, visitors can gaze at the endless panoramic view of the Tay Ninh plains, which is especially impressive on clear days.
Visitors also have the opportunity to hunt for clouds on the mountaintop (Source: Collection)
Areas such as the Tay Bo Da Son Lady Buddha statue square, the Garden of No Self, the Udambara Garden, or the area around the giant Buddha statue have all become prominent check-in spots. The space here harmoniously combines spiritual architecture and natural landscapes, creating an ideal setting for capturing impressive photos.
In the early morning, visitors also have the opportunity to hunt for clouds on the mountaintop, when layers of white, fluffy clouds cover the mountainside, creating a mystical scene. This is also the time when many tourists choose to capture memorable moments during their Tay Ninh Giỗ Tổ trip.
5. Tips for traveling to Tay Ninh during Giỗ Tổ
5.1 Travel time
From Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh, the distance is about 100 km, with an average travel time of 2-3 hours depending on the vehicle and traffic conditions. The most popular route is National Highway 22 (Xuyen A Road), passing through Cu Chi district and then continuing to Tay Ninh city center. This is a convenient and easy route chosen by many tourists for their Tay Ninh Giỗ Tổ trip.
During major holidays like the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day (Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương), the volume of vehicles usually increases, especially in the morning. Therefore, visitors should depart early before 6 AM to avoid traffic jams and make the most of their day trip. Additionally, the Southeast region at this time often experiences quite high temperatures at noon, so traveling early will make the trip more comfortable and pleasant.
5.2 Suggested 2-day, 1-night Tay Ninh travel itinerary
One of the ways to fully experience Tay Ninh during Giỗ Tổ is to choose a 2-day, 1-night itinerary, allowing visitors enough time to explore the prominent destinations of this land.
In the morning, the journey can begin at Ba Den Mountain, the famous tourist symbol of Tay Ninh. Visitors can travel by the modern cable car system at Sun World Ba Den Mountain to reach the summit and admire the panoramic view of the plains from above. The visit usually lasts about 3-4 hours, including paying respects at spiritual sites, visiting the Buddha statue square, and taking photos at scenic spots.
Tourists visit the Cao Dai Holy See of Tay Ninh (Source: Collection)
At noon, tourists can enjoy a meal at a restaurant on the mountaintop or return to Tay Ninh city center to dine on local specialties. In the afternoon, the journey continues at Dau Tieng Lake, about 20 - 25 km from the center, where tourists can take photos, have a light picnic, and watch the sunset over the vast lake. In the evening, rest at a hotel in Tay Ninh city or a homestay near the lake.
On the morning of the second day, tourists can visit the Cao Dai Holy See of Tay Ninh, a religious structure nổi bật with unique architecture and a solemn atmosphere. After visiting and taking photos, tourists can enjoy Tay Ninh specialties such as young buffalo, Trang Bang bánh canh, or sun-dried rice paper in the central area. In the afternoon, travel back to Ho Chi Minh City before 4:00 PM to avoid traffic congestion at the end of the day.
