Returning to the borderland of Tay Ninh, amidst vast forests and barren gray soil, Ba Den Mountain stands majestically. More than just the "roof of Southern Vietnam," it also holds mystical stories and offers novel experiences, making anyone who sets foot here want to linger to learn and explore.
A spiritual symbol in the heart of Tay Ninh
Ba Den Mountain is a prominent spiritual symbol of Tay Ninh.
Ba Den Mountain is located about 11km from the center of Tay Ninh city. At 986m, it is considered the highest mountain in Southern Vietnam.
Besides its impressive height, Ba Den Mountain is also associated with the legend of Ly Thi Thien Huong, a beautiful and virtuous woman who maintained her integrity despite her tragic fate. After her death, she repeatedly appeared as a spirit, guiding and helping those in need, earning her the respect and worship of the local people, who call her the Holy Lady.
The legend of Ly Thi Thien Huong has made Ba Den Mountain one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the Southern region in general and Tay Ninh in particular, especially during the upcoming Lunar New Year and the Ba Den Festival (4th-6th day of the first lunar month).
For the people of Southern Vietnam, the journey to Ba Den Mountain is not just a festival trip, but also a journey to find inner peace, a harmony between nature and faith, between the past and the present.
Sun World Ba Den Mountain - the new look of the sacred mountain
Bearing the majestic and mysterious beauty of Tay Ninh's nature, Ba Den Mountain's appeal is further enhanced by the appearance of Sun World Ba Den Mountain. In other words: "The emergence of Sun World Ba Den Mountain has brought about a major turning point for tourism in Tay Ninh".
area belonging to Sun World Ba Den Mountain
As a tourist area with special investment, Sun World Ba Den Mountain boasts a world-record-breaking cable car system, a large plaza and meticulously restored and modernized spiritual structures.
modern cable car system
The large square is where activities such as offering incense and praying for peace take place.
I remember my first time riding the cable car to the top of Ba Den Mountain; I was amazed looking down at the lush green forests and tiny houses below. Before the vast and expansive view from the cable car, I felt tiny in the face of Tay Ninh's majestic nature.
Highlights of activities at Ba Den Mountain
During festivals, especially the Ba Den Mountain Festival, the mountain becomes a spiritual destination for tens of thousands of people. The billowing incense smoke, the echoing chants, and the long lines of pilgrims create a sacred atmosphere that envelops the entire mountain. Beyond simply offering incense and praying for peace, visitors can also immerse themselves in folk cultural activities and artistic performances reflecting the unique character of Tay Ninh, making each trip a journey of spiritual and cultural discovery.
Making clay figurines - a beautiful folk art form that you can witness when visiting Ba Den Mountain.
For those who love challenges, you can experience trekking to the summit of Ba Den Mountain. Lush green forest paths, ancient stone steps, the sound of babbling streams and birdsong... every scene, every sound contributes to temporarily forgetting worries and troubles, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature fully.
Alternatively, if you don't want to trek, you can experience the modern cable car system, which takes only a few minutes to reach the summit. From the cable car cabin, you can also admire the magnificent scenery below: sprawling fields and endless green spaces. Tay Ninh then appears as a majestic natural painting.
At Ba Den Mountain, every step is not just a movement, but a gentle touch to the rhythm of the Tay Ninh mountains and forests.
I can clearly feel the changes at Ba Den Mountain with each return visit. While in the past it was simply a place with stone steps and crowds of pilgrims, it has now become a modern, well-equipped tourist area.
What is admirable is that, despite the changes, Ba Den Mountain has retained its spiritual essence, remaining a place where people come to offer incense and pray for peace, and still serving as a distinctive cultural symbol of Tay Ninh.
Conclusion
Ba Den Mountain is a testament to the harmonious blend of past and present. The legend of Lady Ly Thi Thien Huong remains, and the incense smoke of festivals still rises during holidays, but the area has also seen many new developments: modern structures, a convenient cable car system, and a spacious plaza. All of these contribute to the contemporary changes of this majestic mountain.
Ba Den Mountain is not only the highest mountain in Southern Vietnam, but also a destination of faith, culture, and tourism - a place that is both sacred and fascinating, a place everyone should visit at least once.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Kien Trang
- Content: Giang Huynh
- Design: Phuong Nguyen
