Travel to Ba Den Mountain, Tây Ninh – A Complete Guide to Discovering the ‘First Heavenly Mountain’

• Culture and History, Things to Do in Vietnam, Vietnam Travel Planning

A trip to Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh promises visitors unforgettable experiences with its majestic, pristine natural scenery and countless impressive cultural–artistic structures. This guide provides detailed and practical information to help you enjoy a fulfilling journey of sightseeing and pilgrimage to the “First Heavenly Mountain” – one of Vietnam’s most famous tourist destinations.

Introduction to Ba Den Mountain Tourism Tay Ninh

Ba Den Mountain in one of the most renowned tourist attractions in Southern Vietnam, honored with the title ‘First Heavenly Mountain’. Standing at 986 meters above sea level, the mountain not only boasts breathtaking landscapes but is also a significant cultural, spiritual centre of the Southeast region. Every year, it welcomes millions of visitors who come for sightseeing, worship, cloud-hunting, and conquering its peak.

General Information about Ba Den Mountain

Where is Ba Den Mountain?

Ba Den Mountain is located in Thanh Tan commune, Tay Ninh City, about 7km from the provincial centre. It is famous for its ancient pagoda complexes, shrines, and spectacular natural scenery. Nearby attractions include Nui Da Lake, Ma Thien Lanh Valley, and Cau Mountain, making the area a diverse exploration route.

How high is Ba Den Mountain?

With an altitude of 986 meters, Ba Den is the highest mountain in Southern Vietnam, often called the “Roof of the South.” Every year, millions of pilgrims visit to worship at Ba Temple. From its summit, visitors can admire the vast, green Tay Ninh plains and a mystical sea of clouds.

Who is worshiped at Ba Den Mountain’s spiritual complex?

The highlight is Ba Temple – dedicated to Linh Son Thanh Mau (Ba Den). Other shrines and temples worship Shakyamuni Buddha, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva, and the Four Heavenly Kings, creating a sacred spiritual atmosphere.

When is the best time to visit Ba Den Mountain?

For exploration and nature lovers

Visit during the dry season (November to April). The skies are clear, seas of floating clouds appear, along with rare natural phenomena like monochrome rainbows, flying saucer clouds, and noctilucent clouds. The bright sunlight also makes for stunning outdoor photos.

For pilgrims and spiritual seekers:

The mountain can be visited year-round, regardless of weather. Important festivals include:

1. Ba Spring Festival (early Lunar January)
   
2. Ba Linh Son Thanh Mau’s Festival (Lunar May 4–6)
   
3. Vu Lan & Mid-Autumn Festivals (Lunar July–August full moon)
   
4. These occasions attract large crowds of monks, Buddhists, and pilgrims.

Transportation to Ba Den Mountain

From Tay Ninh City Centre to the Foot of the Mountain

1. Motorbike:
   • Route:Tran Phu ⇒ Boi Loi ⇒ Mountain entrance
   • Cost: 100,000 – 200,000 VND/day (rental)
   • Duration: ~10 minutes
   • Pros: Flexible, avoids traffic jams
   • Cons: Weather-dependent, easy to get separated in groups
2. Car/taxi:
   • Route: Tran Phu ⇒ Boi Loi ⇒ Mountain entrance
     
   • Cost: 300,000 – 1,500,000 VND (car rental depending on type)
     
   • Duration: 10–15 minutes
     
   • Pros: Spacious, weather-proof, convenient for carrying offerings
     
   • Cons: Higher cost, possible traffic jams
3. Bus:
   • Route: Tay Ninh Bus Station ⇒ Boi Loi ⇒ Walk to mountain entrance
     
   • Cost: 10,000 – 20,000 VND/ride
     
   • Duration: 15–20 minutes
     
   • Pros: Budget-friendly
     
   • Cons: Limited schedule (office hours only)

From The Foot to The Peak of Mountain

Once you have reached the foot of Ba Den mountain, you can take the cable car, climb the stairs or walk forest trekking to the temple area and the famous Thien Son peak. For those who do not know, the total length of Ba Den mountain cable car is 4,265m built to serve all tourists (the elderly, young children) conquer the peak of Ba Den mountain 986m high and easy for less than 10 minutes.

Cable Car (4,256m-one of the longest in the world):

1. Duration: 5–8 minutes
2. Pros: Quick, effortless, panoramic views of forest and clouds

Stone Stairway:

1. Duration: 45–60 minutes
2. Cons: Slippery in rainy season, not suitable for children/elderly

Forest Trekking:

1. Duration: 3–4 hours
   
2. Pros: Adventurous, close to nature
   
3. Cons: Demands stamina, requires experienced companions

Seven Spiritual Sites on Ba Den Mountain

1. Reclining Shakyamuni Buddha (Nirvana)

Located behind Linh Son Tien Thach Pagoda, this white statue symbolizes compassion and ultimate enlightenment. Visitors can pray for health and peace while admiring panoramic views from its balcony.

2. Linh Son Tien Thach Pagoda (Ba Temple)

With 300 years of history, this temple blends Northern Buddhist architecture with dragon-carved roofs and golden altars. Pilgrims come to pray for health, fortune, and prosperity. A unique ritual here is touching the Avalokitesvara statue for blessings.

3. Tay Bo Da Son Avalokitesvara Statue

At 72 meters tall and made of 170 tons of bronze, this is Asia’s tallest bronze mountain-top statue of Avalokitesvara. Standing on a four-tier base, the statue gazes into the distance, blessing Tay Ninh’s land and people.

4. Prajnaparamita Scripture Pillars

Five granite pillars engraved with 12,000 gold-plated Tibetan characters symbolize Buddhist wisdom. The tallest, 19.8m, rises from a water feature, creating a serene meditative atmosphere.

5. Buddhist Exhibition Center 

Covering 4,410 m², this modern center displays bronze statues, artworks, and relics. Advanced 3D mapping and hologram technology recreate cosmic and Buddhist stories. Visitors can also pay respect to sacred Buddha Relics preserved here.

6. ‘Non-self’ garden

A 1,500 m² bonsai garden featuring statues of smiling novice monks, waterfalls, and a unique moon-shaped landscape piece. It provides a peaceful space for meditation and reflection.

7. Maitreya Bodhisattva Statue

Unveiled in January 2024, this 36-meter sandstone statue weighs over 5,000 tons, making it one of the largest worldwide. Seated on an artificial waterfall, Maitreya’s joyful smile symbolizes happiness and prosperity. The surrounding “Wish Bridge” and water-light displays create a mesmerizing spiritual experience.

Six Experiential Tourist Attractions on Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh

In addition to cultural and religious landmarks, Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh also features any experiential attractions designed with great creativity, such as cable car station, sky gates, and the mountain peak.

Ba Den Cable Car Station

1. Location: At the foot of the mountain, near the entrance to the tourist area
   
2. Architectural features: Modern style, black–gray–gold tones
   
3. Other highlights: Recognized as the “World’s Largest Cable Car Station”
   
4. Main activities: Sightseeing, photography, cable car rides
   
5. Best photo spots: Main entrance, central hall, cable car operation area, flower garden beside the station
   

Right after entering the scenic area, visitors are greeted by Ba Den Station – the world’s largest cable car station, located on the left side. In 2023 alone, it welcomed over 5 million passengers. Its wavy golden roof cluster symbolizes Ba Den – Phung – Heo Mountains, while five giant pillars in the central hall resemble ancient trees spreading their canopy over a stylized forest made from solid materials.

Inside, the aluminum sunshade roofing keeps the station cool under the scorching Southern sun. From high windows, visitors can admire the Ba Den mountain range and floating clouds. The central hall impresses with its towering columns and high windows, creating an airy and majestic atmosphere.

There are also countless “Instagrammable” corners: the dreamy butterfly flower garden, the panoramic main entrance, or the sunlit grand hall decorated with elegant stone-textured interiors.

Chua Hang Cable Car Station

1. Location: Mid-mountain, near Linh Son Thanh Mau Temple
   
2. Architectural features: A “one-of-a-kind” design resembling a five-tier pagoda
   
3. Other highlights: Upper station of the Chua Hang cable car line
   
4. Main activities: Sightseeing, photography, cable car rides
   
5. Best photo spots: Entrance, windows, balconies, cable car operation area

Nestled among many sacred sites, Chua Hang Station still stands out with its striking design. Painted in golden hues, its traditional curved roofs are carved with detailed dragon motifs, and the tiled floors bear Southern Buddhist decorative patterns. This unique architecture makes it incomparable to any other cable car station worldwide.

Visiting here feels like stepping into a temple that blends antiquity and modernity. From its windows and balconies, visitors can take in views of lush forests and rugged cliffs. Photographers especially love this station—distant angles from the temple complex capture the entire building without interruption.

Van Son Cable Car Station

1. Location: On the mountain summit, southwest side
   
2. Architectural features: Inspired by Antoni Gaudi and the Tay Ninh Holy See
   
3. Other highlights: Upper station of the cable car line from the foot of the mountain
   
4. Main activities: Sightseeing, photography, cloud hunting, cable car rides

Exiting the cabin at the summit, visitors are greeted by a “miniature Europe” – Van Son Station. Its design blends Gaudi’s signature curves, arches, and columns with stained-glass motifs of the Cao Dai Holy See. Sandstone interiors further enhance its elegance and timeless beauty.

Every corner here is photogenic: embossed walls, whimsical archways, delicate cornices, and grand chandeliers that add luxury to this “cathedral” atop the heavenly mountain.

From its balconies, especially at sunrise, visitors can hunt clouds and watch the dawn spreading over the horizon. The vast sea of rolling clouds creates a magical and serene experience.

Sky Gate

1. Location: At the summit, next to the tulip garden
   
2. Architectural features: Arch-shaped structure made from greenery and flowers
   
3. Other highlights: Firmly built on the mountain cliff
   
4. Main activities: Sightseeing, photography, cloud hunting
   
5. Best photo spots: Front view, tulip garden area
   

From Van Son Station, a short stairway leads to the Sky Gate, one of the most photographed attractions since its debut during Tet 2023. Its arch-shaped design made of plants and flowers resembles a giant lens framing the sky.

Standing under the arch, visitors can feel a spiritual connection with the heavens while enjoying views of the Van Son cable cars gliding across a mystical sea of clouds and the Tay Ninh plains below. At night, shimmering LED lights add a magical and romantic glow, making it a dreamy photo spot.

Ba Den Mountain Peak Marker

1. Location: At the summit, near the windmill garden
   
2. Architectural features: Solid construction with protective railings
   
3. Other highlights: Official altitude marker of 986m – the highest point in Southern Vietnam
   
4. Main activities: Sightseeing, photography, cloud hunting
   
5. Best photo spots: Front view, flower garden nearby
   

The summit marker is a symbolic monument marking the 986-meter altitude of the “Roof of Southern Vietnam.” Built with durable materials and placed on a solid stone base, it ensures safety for visitors.

From the peak, travelers can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views, especially during sunset, when golden hues bathe the landscape. This is also a must-visit spot for memorable check-in photos with family and friends.

Tam An Cable Car Station

1. Location: At the summit, near Van Son Station
   
2. Architectural features: Inspired by Antoni Gaudi and the Tay Ninh Holy See
   
3. Other highlights: Upper station of the cable car line from the temple complex
   
4. Main activities: Sightseeing, photography, cloud hunting, cable car rides
   
5. Best photo spots: Entrance, hall, windows, exterior landscapes
   

Adjacent to Van Son Station, Tam An Station also draws inspiration from Gaudi’s artistry. Its flowing curves, vivid colors, and asymmetrical details evoke Western domed cathedrals that are both solemn and magnificent.

Inside, its elegant interiors make for stunning vintage-style photos. Outside, landscaped gardens feature Buddha and novice monk statues, arranged harmoniously among flowers and greenery, offering a meditative, tranquil atmosphere.

End of The Journey, Beginning of The Memories at Ba Den Mountain

A trip to Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh is a journey that blends nature exploration, spiritual pilgrimage, and cultural experiences of Southern Vietnam. From majestic landscapes to magnificent Buddhist works, Ba Den offers an unforgettable adventure.

If you’re seeking a destination that is both sacred and full of activities, start planning your trip today to conquer the “First Heavenly Mountain.”