Ta Cu Mountain in Phan Thiet comprises 250,000 square metres of lush rainforests, rare wildlife, limestone caves, and ornate Buddhist structures. Accessible within an hour’s drive from Mui Ne Town, travellers can opt for a two-hour hike through the verdant rainforest or a 10-minute cable-car ride to reach the top of the mountain.
The former option is best suited for travellers with relatively good stamina as they need to climb a rather steep stairway followed by a winding footpath in the middle of the forest to get to the main pagoda. Along the way, there are several smaller shrines and a local restaurant to stop by for snacks and refreshments.
If you choose the cable-car, tickets are priced at VND 160,000 for roundtrip and the journey takes approximately six minutes to reach Ta Cu Mountain’s peak. Along the way, you’ll be greeted with vertigo-inducing views of Thuan Nam Town, Ham Thuan An Sea, and Ke Ga Lighthouse, as well as rice paddies and dragon fruit tree.
Set atop Ta Cu Mountain, Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda features several worship halls, three entrance pillars, intricate animal sculptures, primogenitor caves, and colourful paintings of deities. Built in 1879, its main attraction is a 49-metre-long statue of a reclining Buddha that’s hailed as the biggest of its kind in Vietnam. Not far from the impressive structure is a cluster of statues called “Three Buddha Postures”, all of which measure 7 metres in height.
Open all year, this well-preserved Buddhist pagoda attracts throngs of visitors looking to pay their respects during the Lunar New Year or simply enjoy the tranquil scenery of Ham Thuan Nam and beyond.
Location: Ham Thuan Nam, Binh Thuan, Phan Thiet – Mui Ne
Price Range: VND 160,000 return fare
