1. Best time for a Ba Den Mountain tour
Tay Ninh has a tropical monsoon climate, split into two distinct seasons: the dry season from November to April, and the rainy season from May to October. For most travelers, the dry season is the best time to embark on a Ba Den Mountain tour. During this period, the weather is clear, dry, and sunny—ideal for hiking, cloud-hunting, and exploring outdoor spiritual sites. Roads and paths remain dry, and visibility from the summit is at its best.
However, if you're someone who enjoys cultural immersion, visiting Ba Den Mountain during the festival season is a must. Major spiritual and cultural events take place around the mountain, offering visitors a chance to witness local traditions, rituals, and artistic performances. Notable events include:
Ba Spring Festival (4–16 January, Lunar calendar) at the Ba Den Mountain spiritual complex.
Duc Chi Ton Festival (8–9 January, Lunar calendar) at the Cao Dai Holy See.
Kim Quang Cave Traditional Festival (14 January, Lunar calendar) held on the mountain slope.
Ky Yen Festival (14–16 March, Lunar calendar) at Gia Loc and Hiep Ninh communal houses.
Linh Son Thanh Mau Bodhisattva Festival (4–6 May, Lunar calendar) held at Ba Pagoda and Linh Son Shrine.
Vu Lan Festival (throughout the seventh Lunar month) at various historic pagodas like Ba Pagoda, Go Ken Pagoda, and more.
For the most rewarding Ba Den Mountain tour, check local calendars to align your trip with one of these events—and don’t forget to follow the weather forecast before heading up the mountain.
2. Travel tips for first-time visitors
For first-timers, a Ba Den Mountain tour can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming—especially with the many cultural, spiritual, and scenic layers waiting to be explored. To help you prepare, here are the most essential tips for a smooth and memorable experience.
2.1 How to get there
Ba Den Mountain is located about 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City, and the fastest way to reach it is via the Ho Chi Minh City – Dau Giay – Go Dau Expressway. You can get to Tay Ninh by car, motorbike, or shuttle buses offered in tour packages. From Tay Ninh City center, it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the base of Ba Den Mountain.
If you’re not traveling with a tour, private car or motorbike rental is highly recommended for convenience and flexibility. Many visitors combine the Ba Den Mountain tour with a visit to the Cao Dai Holy See, which is just a short drive away.
2.2 What to bring
Keep your luggage light. Tay Ninh’s dry season can be hot and sunny, so don’t forget:
Lightweight clothes and comfortable shoes for walking
Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
A light jacket for early morning or evening visits
ID or passport for ticketing or discounts
Power bank and camera or phone for photos
If you plan to stay overnight, bring personal items and toiletries, as amenities may vary depending on where you stay.
2.3 Where to stay
There are several hotels and guesthouses in Tay Ninh City and around Ba Den Mountain. For early-morning sunrise tours or festival visits, it’s ideal to stay near the Ba Den cable car station. Options range from 2–4-star hotels to local homestays.
2.4 Tips
Travel with seniors or children:
The cable car system at Sun World Ba Den Mountain makes it easy for seniors and children to visit high-altitude temples and landmarks without hiking. Elevators and walkways are also available at many locations, making your tour accessible and comfortable for all ages.
Cable car ticket prices and combo packages at Sun World Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain
Buy tickets in advance:
To avoid long queues—especially on weekends or festival days—it’s best to book Sun World Ba Den Mountain tickets online through the official website or trusted platforms like Klook, KKday, or Traveloka.
Sun World also offers premium and long-term ticket options. The Priority Access (WOW Pass) can be added to any regular ticket for an additional 300,000 VND. This upgrade allows fast-lane entry to all cable car lines, minimizing wait times during peak hours or crowded seasons.
3. What to do during your Ba Den Mountain tour
A well-planned Ba Den Mountain tour offers more than just scenic views—it’s a journey into Vietnam’s spiritual and cultural heart.
3.1 Ride the record-breaking cable car
Your journey begins with a cable car ride on one of Sun World’s internationally recognized routes. The Hang Pagoda route takes visitors to the mid-mountain spiritual zone, while the Van Son Peak route ascends directly to the summit at 986 meters. Both offer panoramic views of forested cliffs and mist-covered slopes. With cabins designed for comfort and safety, the ride takes just under 10 minutes, making it one of the smoothest and most scenic ascents in Southeast Asia.
The Van Son Peak Route takes visitors to the summit in just 8 - 10 minutes
3.2 Explore the centuries-old temples on the mountainside
Ba Pagoda (Ba Temple)
Located at the heart of Ba Den’s spiritual complex, Ba Pagoda, officially known as Linh Son Tien Thach Tu, is the most important pilgrimage site on the mountain. Built more than 300 years ago, the pagoda is dedicated to Linh Son Thanh Mau Bodhisattva, believed to be the guardian spirit of the mountain and protector of local life.
Surrounded by ancient trees and incense-filled courtyards, Ba Pagoda becomes especially crowded during Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival in the first lunar month. Pilgrims and tourists alike come here to offer incense, make vows, and seek spiritual blessings for health, prosperity, and peace. The path to the pagoda is paved and accessible via the Chua Hang cable car, making it a central stop for all visitors on a Ba Den Mountain tour.
Hoa Dong Pagoda
Situated a short walk from Ba Pagoda, Hoa Dong Pagoda is one of the largest temples on the mountainside, with an area of over 6,150 square meters—roughly equal in size to Ba Pagoda. To reach it, visitors follow a tranquil trail that passes the Reclining Shakyamuni Buddha Statue, a remarkable work carved into the cliff, symbolizing the Buddha’s journey to Nirvana.
Hoa Dong Pagoda features open spaces, multi-tiered prayer halls, and sweeping views of the valley below. It's an ideal place for quiet meditation, photography, or simply taking in the crisp mountain air. Although lesser-known, it holds deep spiritual value for local Buddhists and is a peaceful highlight for those seeking quiet moments during their Ba Den Mountain tour.
Quan Am Pagoda
Perched along a steep trail above the Chua Hang cable car station, Quan Am Pagoda is a smaller temple dedicated to Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion. To reach the temple, visitors must climb over 100 steps up a forested slope—a modest effort rewarded with a sense of serenity and intimacy not found in larger temples.
Though compact, the pagoda’s location provides a peaceful overlook of the mid-mountain zone and is often favored by solo travelers, elderly pilgrims, and photographers. Statues and altars are neatly arranged, and the site maintains a solemn yet welcoming atmosphere.
Hang Pagoda (Linh Son Long Chau Tu)
Further along the trail sits Hang Pagoda, also known as Linh Son Long Chau Tu—one of the oldest and most atmospheric temples on the mountain. Nestled within a natural cave and shaded by tall cliffs, this temple is accessible by walking from Hang Pagoda Station, passing the symbolic rock formation Ong Da Nut, a site tied to local legends.
The cave temple is dimly lit, with incense smoke lingering in the air and stone altars built into the walls. Pilgrims often come here for silent reflection or to light candles in memory of ancestors. Despite its modest size, Hang Pagoda holds strong emotional and spiritual weight, and its raw, natural setting makes it a unique destination on any Ba Den Mountain tour.
The spritual complex at Ba Den mountain
3.3 Visit the Tay Bo Da Son Bodhisattva Statue
One of the mountain’s most iconic structures is the Tay Bo Da Son Bodhisattva Statue—a 72-meter bronze representation of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy). Officially recognized as the tallest bronze Bodhisattva statue on a mountaintop in Asia, the statue stands peacefully at the summit, gazing across the southern plains. With traditional robes, serene expression, and a symbolic lotus pedestal, the statue invites silent reverence from every visitor who reaches its base.
The sacred sight of the Tay Bo Da Son Bodhisattva Buddha statue
3.4 Visit the Maitreya Bodhisattva Statue
Nearby, another monumental sculpture awaits—the Maitreya Bodhisattva Statue, unveiled in 2024. Carved from 6,688 sandstone blocks, this massive figure is 36 meters tall and sits atop a cascading stone waterfall, symbolizing joy, prosperity, and the Bodhisattva of the future. Weighing over 5,100 tons, it is one of the largest sandstone Bodhisattva statues in the world.
The Maitreya Bodhisattva serenely symbolises hope, joy, and harmony
What sets this statue apart is not only its spiritual significance, but also its symbolic architecture inspired by Vietnam’s terraced fields. The Maitreya Bodhisattva smiles warmly toward the east, greeting the rising sun and blessing those who ascend the summit with hope and happiness.
Every day, behind the Maitreya Bodhisattva Statue, the 35-meter-tall cascading waterfall flows down multi-tiered stone steps—one of the tallest manmade waterfalls in Asia. At night, the space transforms into a mesmerizing water music show, combining sound, light, laser, and dancing waves in a meditative rhythm. With the statue at its center, this immersive performance offers a poetic blend of spirituality and artistry.
3.5 Experience the Grand Dome Hall
At the foot of the Tay Bo Da Son statue is a 20-meter-wide dome theater, using cutting-edge mapping technology to present Buddhist cosmology in vivid 360-degree visuals. The immersive film walks viewers through the cycle of rebirth, the impermanence of life, and the cosmic balance of Buddhist philosophy. This spiritual storytelling—presented in a modern, emotional format—is a highlight of any meaningful Ba Den Mountain tour.
The 3D mapping theater is located on the first floor of the Buddhist Exhibition Center, at the foot of the Tay Bo Da Son Bodhisattva Statue
3.6 Join the Candlelight Offering Ceremony
Every Saturday evening during the year-end season, and on major Buddhist festivals such as Vesak, Vu Lan, or Ba Spring Festival, visitors are invited to take part in the Candlelight Offering Ceremony. Held at the square below the Tay Bo Da Son statue, this ceremony allows guests to write personal prayers, light lotus lanterns, and float them around the Prajna Sutra pillar.
The space fills with candlelight, chanting, and collective silence—creating an atmosphere that turns a mountain visit into a deeply personal spiritual moment.
The lantern candlelight ceremony at Ba Den Mountain held every Saturday
4. Suggested itinerary: Ba Den Mountain tour for 1 Day
Short on time but still want a full cultural and spiritual experience? This 1-day Ba Den Mountain tour from Ho Chi Minh City offers the perfect escape—combining sacred temples, iconic statues, and local cuisine into one compact and rewarding itinerary.
5:00 – 6:30 AM: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City
Tour buses depart from various pick-up points in District 1, District 5, Binh Thanh, and Tan Phu. During the drive, guests can rest or enjoy light onboard activities while traveling towards Tay Ninh.
8:00 AM: Breakfast in Trang Bang Town
Arrive in Trang Bang for a hearty breakfast featuring the region’s famous banh canh Trang Bang—a rich rice noodle soup with pork, herbs, and a clear bone broth. Other local options like phở, hủ tiếu, and cơm sườn are also available.
9:30 AM: Arrive at Sun World Ba Den Mountain
Disembark at the base of the mountain and begin your Ba Den Mountain tour with a visit to Van Son Station. From here, choose between two cable car routes:
Hang Pagoda line: for spiritual sites like Ba Pagoda, Hoa Dong Pagoda, and Hang Pagoda.
Van Son Peak line: to reach the summit and explore the grand Buddhist statues and panoramic views.
10:00 – 11:30 AM: Explore Temples and Scenic Spots
Spend the morning visiting sacred temples nestled along the mountainside:
Ba Pagoda (Linh Son Tien Thach Tu)
Quan Am Pagoda and Hoa Dong Pagoda
Hang Pagoda and symbolic sites like Ong Da Nut rock
Alternatively, if you go straight to the summit, explore the 72-meter Tay Bo Da Son Bodhisattva Statue and Maitreya Bodhisattva Statue, framed by a 35-meter cascading waterfall.
12:00 PM: Buffet Lunch at Van Son Restaurant
Enjoy a relaxing buffet lunch at the summit, featuring over 80 dishes, both vegetarian and traditional Vietnamese options. The restaurant offers sweeping views and air-conditioned seating.
1:30 PM: Immersive Spiritual Experiences
Visit the Dome Projection Theater at the foot of the Tay Bo Da Son statue. The 360-degree film guides guests through Buddhist cosmology and spiritual teachings. You can also explore the Buddhist Art Exhibition Center, which spans multiple floors of interactive displays and sacred relics.
3:00 PM: Leisure Time & Souvenir Shopping
Return to Van Son Station via cable car and spend time enjoying a coffee or shopping for spiritual souvenirs like prayer beads, incense, and Tay Ninh specialties.
4:00 – 5:00 PM: Depart for Ho Chi Minh City
Reboard the bus and return to the city. Expect to arrive in HCMC between 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM, ending a fulfilling Ba Den Mountain tour filled with discovery, culture, and peace.
