1. Overview of the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival
1.1. Origin and Significance of the Festival
The Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival originates from the legend of Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh), the highest mountain in Southern Vietnam, considered the "roof of the South". According to the story of Lady Ly Thi Thien Huong, who is revered as Linh Son Holy Mother for her loyalty and protection of the people, the festival is held annually as a solemn ritual in the sacred land to pray for peace and good fortune for the new year.
With a spiritual theme linked to the cultural identity of Southern Vietnam, the Black Lady Mountain Spring Festival is not only a pilgrimage but also a large-scale cultural and tourism festival, becoming a symbol of the new year's beginning in Tay Ninh province.
Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival is held at the Ba Den Mountain tourist area in Tay Ninh. (Source: Collected)
1.2. Time and location of organization
According to official information, the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival opens on the 4th day of Tet and usually lasts until the 16th day of the first lunar month each year. The festival takes place at the scenic and tourist area of Ba Den Mountain in Binh Minh ward, Tay Ninh, which is home to a system of pagodas, Buddha statues, and early spring festival activities. The opening ceremony in 2025, themed “Scents of Tay Ninh”, will be held at the square of the cable car departure area of Ba Den Mountain at 7 PM on the 4th day of Tet.
2. Festival atmosphere and special activities
2.1. Sacred and vibrant spring atmosphere
Early in the morning at the festival grounds of the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival, crowds from all over flock to the mountain with offerings of flowers, betel leaves, and pure, solemn incense to offer to Linh Son Thanh Mau. The space is filled with the colors of spring with fluttering flags and banners, sparkling lanterns, and the lively sound of festival drums, creating a festival scene full of energy and vitality.
The atmosphere of the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival with cheerful laughter and the gentle scent of incense spread everywhere. (Source: Collected)
As dawn blends with the thin mist of Tay Ninh, the gentle scent of incense permeates the paths leading up the mountain, creating an atmosphere that is both sacred and peaceful, a memorable moment in the spring journey at the Ba Den Mountain festival.
2.2. Featured artistic programs
The opening ceremony of the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival was elaborately staged with a lion-dragon dance performance and a drum-beating ritual to open the festival, performed by provincial leaders, followed by singing and dancing performances combining traditional and modern elements, along with a spectacular fireworks display in the Tay Ninh sky.
Throughout the festival, at the cable car station square and the mountain peak, visitors can enjoy diverse cultural and sports activities such as martial arts performances, music martial arts, synchronized exercises for health, folk dances; along with folk heritage performances like Chhay-dam drum dance, Khmer dance, Ngu Am music… creating a vibrant atmosphere that still retains the strong identity of Southern Vietnamese culture.
2.3. Experience the “tulip paradise” on the mountaintop
Throughout the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival, visitors will be led to the mountaintop to enter a spring flower space like a “tulip paradise” with over 115,000 tulip bulbs of all colors planted extensively, from red, yellow, white, pink to purple and white-edged, yellow-edged varieties.
Not only tulips, but the mountain also showcases a series of spring flowers such as zinnia, exotic roses, hydrangeas, orchids… creating a sparkling scene, making it a must-visit destination for this spiritual and tourist festival.
The Maitreya Spring Festival is a prominent spiritual activity during this occasion, attracting many tourists and Buddhists from all over. (Source: Collected)
2.4. Lantern Offering Ceremony
On weekend evenings of the first lunar month, at the mountain peak and festival area, a lantern offering ritual is held with hundreds of lanterns and floating lights released into the sky or onto the water surface, creating a shimmering and sacred light space amidst the natural landscape of Ba Den Mountain. Visitors can immerse themselves in the moment of flickering lights, send messages of peace, and admire the special scenery only available at this spring festival.
2.5. Main Activities during the Spring Festival
The Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival each year opens a series of unique cultural and spiritual activities, most notably the procession of Linh Son Thanh Mau on the 5th day and the 15th day of the first lunar month. Amidst the sound of festival drums, colorful flags, and a long line of devout people at the foot of the mountain, the procession ritual of the Goddess recreates the age-old tradition of Tay Ninh people, conveying wishes for peace at the beginning of the year.
Continuing this sacred atmosphere is the ceremony for national peace and prosperity at Ba Pagoda. This is a moment for tourists and locals to offer incense, praying for favorable weather and peaceful families amidst the solemn space of the ancient pagoda.
Alongside the spiritual rituals, the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival also offers a cultural space rich in Southern Vietnamese identity with traditional music (don ca tai tu), lion and dragon dances, calligraphy, and vibrant spring flowers. Prominently featured within the Sun World Ba Den Mountain complex is the theme “Spring Festival in the Clouds,” where light art, floral displays, and 3D projection technology create a multi-layered picture, transforming the mountain peak into a magical spring stage.
3. Guide to Transportation and Accommodation at Ba Den Mountain
3.1. How to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh
From the center of Ho Chi Minh City, the journey to attend the “Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival” begins with a distance of about 100 km along National Highway 22 through Go Dau to the center of Tay Ninh and the final destination is Sun World Ba Den Mountain tourist area, with a travel time of about 2.5–3 hours depending on traffic conditions.
If tourists choose intercity buses, there are many routes from An Suong Bus Station (Ho Chi Minh City) to Tay Ninh with prices ranging from 150,000 – 200,000 VND and a travel time of about 2.5 hours. From Tay Ninh city center, continue by taxi, ride-sharing service, or motorbike for about 15 minutes to reach the foot of the mountain to begin the festival and exploration journey.
3.2. Accommodation Suggestions near the Festival Area
To fully experience the “Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival,” choosing convenient accommodation is very important. Here are a few suggestions for well-operating hotels, near the mountain area or Tay Ninh city center:
- Hoang Mai Hotel: modern design, with reasonable prices, from the hotel to Ba Den Mountain by taxi takes only 15 minutes.
- An Nhien Hotel: luxurious, modern hotel space, only about 8km from Ba Den Mountain, convenient for travel.
- Gold City Hotel: only about 9km from Ba Den Mountain, visitors can quickly reach the festival venue.
Staying in Tay Ninh center, 10 km from Ba Den Mountain, with many hotels for visitors to choose from. (Source: Collected)
Additionally, visitors have many hotel and homestay options in the foothills area, with good room quality and affordable prices. During festivals, visitors should book rooms early and check supporting facilities for a complete and relaxing journey.
4. Cuisine and specialties to try when attending the spring festival
4 .1. Delicious dishes in the festival area
At the summit of the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival, Sun World Ba Den Mountain opens a "culinary paradise" amidst clouds and sky, where visitors can choose between a luxurious buffet space and local specialties. At Van Son Buffet, you will enjoy over 80 diverse dishes from the three regions of Vietnamese cuisine, Asian-European dishes, seafood, BBQ, to vegetarian dishes and desserts, in a glass space overlooking the floating sea of clouds.
Cuisine on the slopes of Ba Den Mountain is diverse with many local dishes. (Source: Collected)
If you want to explore the culinary essence of Tay Ninh, Sol Kitchen is an unmissable address with local dishes such as Trang Bang noodle soup, Trang Bang rolled rice paper amidst the chilly weather at an altitude of 986m. Stopping here for a meal is not just about eating but also immersing in the experience of spring travel, tourism, and festival culture.
4. 2. Specialties to buy as gifts
Leaving the festival area, visitors can easily find famous specialties of Tay Ninh at the spring market right at the entrance of the tourist area. Tay Ninh shrimp salt is the top choice, famous for its mild spiciness, savory taste, and characteristic aroma; suitable for eating with fruit or as a gift. Besides, dew-dried rice paper, young buffalo beef, candied tamarind, or dried fruit products are also meaningful gifts imbued with local flavors.
Small tip: choose vacuum-packed specialties with clear origin and complete expiry dates, which ensure quality and are convenient to carry throughout your spring journey.
5. Experience attending the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival
5 .1. Ideal time of day
For a complete journey at the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival, visitors should start early in the morning, around 5:30 AM – 7 AM, when the air is still cool, the mountain path is clear, and it is convenient for offering incense and worship. This is also when the early morning sunlight covers the mountainside, creating a peaceful scene characteristic of Tay Ninh.
If you love sunset scenery, the period from 4 PM to 6 PM is ideal for reaching the summit to watch the sunset and enjoy artistic activities and light shows held in the afternoon and evening.
Visitors should wear formal attire when participating in festivals during the Black Lady Mountain Spring Festival. (Source: Collected)
5 .2. Attire and items to prepare
When participating in mountain festivals, visitors should prioritize neat, polite attire and wear sports shoes or light sandals for convenient movement. The weather at high altitudes can sometimes be chilly, so a light jacket can be prepared if visiting in the early morning or late afternoon.
Some essential items to bring include: hats, drinking water, tissues, small change for offerings and use within the festival area, and a power bank to capture beautiful moments on the journey. Avoid bringing votive paper and bulky offerings to ensure solemnity and civilization in the spiritual space.
5 .3. Notes for civilized pilgrimage
When attending the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival, visitors should maintain a solemn and civilized attitude at the Buddha's gate. Offer incense in moderation, do not push or shove, and always queue when entering temples to ensure order.
Besides, do not forget to maintain general hygiene, do not litter, and do not carve names or draw graffiti on statues, walls, and rock faces. Every conscious action by visitors contributes to creating a beautiful, clean, and solemn festival space.
The Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival is not only a journey of đầu năm (early year) worship but also a moment to find peace amidst the clouds and sky of Tay Ninh. The blend of culture, spirituality, and art makes the festival an indispensable rendezvous every Tet holiday. If visitors wish to start the year 2026 in the most complete way, schedule your trip early to experience the Black Lady Mountain Spring Festival, the most sacred and vibrant festival season in the South.
