Five Vietnam pilgrimage destinations perfect for spiritual seekers

Traveling at the beginning of the Lunar New Year is a unique tradition for the Vietnamese people. Beyond a simple sightseeing trip, these journeys hold great spiritual significance, symbolizing the desire for peace, health, and prosperity in the coming year.

The Lady Buddha Pagoda at Black Virgin Mountain is a famous holy site throughout the southern region. Photo: Sun Group

Vietnam's ancient temples and pagodas, each with its own rich history and unique architecture, hold a special appeal for travelers seeking a spiritual connection.

Suggestions for an ideal spring trip include Huong Pagoda in Hanoi, Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province, Yen Tu Mountain in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh, Linh Ung Pagoda in the central city of Danang, and Ba Den (Black Lady) Mountain in the southern province of Tay Ninh.

Huong Pagoda

Located in Hanoi’s outskirt District of My Duc, some 60 kilometers southwest of downtown Hanoi, the Huong or Perfume Pagoda is a scenic spot that gives visitors the feeling of being lost in a fairyland.

Covering more than 4,900 hectares, the Huong Pagoda complex is a mosaic of pagodas, temples, and caves full of stunning stalactites and stalagmites dedicated to the worship of Buddha and deities associated with indigenous agricultural beliefs. 

The dreamy beauty of Huong Pagoda in the spring. Photo: Lai Tan/ The Hanoi Times

A pilgrimage to the Huong Pagoda complex during the Lunar New Year is a spiritual journey to the land of Buddhism. Visitors take a scenic boat ride along the Canary or Yen River, surrounded by misty mountains and lush forests, creating a tranquil and reflective atmosphere. The boat ride brings visitors to the foot of the mountain, where a trek through breathtaking scenery begins at Huong Tich Cave, considered "Buddha's Paradise on Earth", where devotees pray for good health, prosperity, and blessings for the New Year. 

Bai Dinh Pagoda

The sacred bronze Buddha statue in Bai Dinh Pagoda. Photo courtesy of Bai Dinh Pagoda

Visitors to Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist complex, the Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province, might be astonished by its great size and majesty can be felt by anyone who visits it once. Its back is leaning against Bai Dinh Mountain with a height of 200m. The area for the construction of Ba Dinh Pagoda is 80 hectares, which is located on the mass of "Bai Dinh Pagoda sacred culture" belonging to Trang An Tourism Area.

Pilgrims can admire the intricate details of the golden Buddha statues, walk through the serene Arhat Corridor with hundreds of unique statues, and marvel at the towering pagoda that dominates the landscape.

The best time to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda is during the Bai Dinh Festival, which takes place from February 3 to May 1 this year.  

Yen Tu Mountain

Dong (Bronze) Pagoda atop Yen Ty Mountain at an altitude of 1,068 meters. Photo: Booking.com

Yen Tu Mountain, about 100 kilometers from bustling Hanoi in Quang Ninh Province, is a place of incredible joy. For centuries, the mountain has been a revered Buddhist pilgrimage site, known as the cradle of Vietnamese Zen Buddhism.

Visitors can make a spiritual trek to the Dong (Bronze) Pagoda, which sits at 1,068 meters. Many believe this pilgrimage during Tet brings wisdom and clarity for the year ahead. The annual Yen Tu Festival, a major cultural and religious event, attracts thousands of devotees each year. This year, the Yen Tu Spring Festival lasts through April.

Linh Ung Pagoda

The Linh Ung Poda in Danang City. Photo: Google Art & Culture

Overlooking the vast expanse of the East Sea on the Son Tra Peninsula in the southern coastal city of Danang, Linh Ung Pagoda offers both spiritual solace and breathtaking panoramic views. This coastal sanctuary is home to Vietnam's tallest Lady Buddha statue, a majestic figure standing 67 meters tall.

At the beginning of the year, visitors flock to Linh Ung Pagoda to pray for protection, peace, and prosperity in the New Year, while enjoying the cool coastal breeze and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The serene setting and gentle sound of the waves create a calming environment for reflection and prayer. The Lady Buddha Worship Festival, a special occasion for devotees, will be held this year from March 16 to 18, or the 17th to 19th days of the second lunar month.

Ba Den Mountain

Standing on the mountaintop amidst the white clouds, the Lady Buddha turns her compassionate eyes to the fertile plain of Tay Ninh, giving blessings and peace to the people and the nation. Photo: Sun Group

At 986 meters above sea level, Nui Ba Den, or Black Virgin Mountain, in the southern province of Tay Ninh, is considered the rooftop of southern Vietnam. The mountain, covered by white clouds all year round, is an indispensable spiritual destination for Tay Ninh people and Buddhists in the region every Tet holiday and spring. Thousands of pilgrims climb here to attend rituals to honor the goddess Linh Son Thanh Mau.

The highlight of this tourist attraction is the Black Virgin Statue. With a total height of 72 meters, cast with more than 170 tons of bronze, it has been recognized by the World Guinness Records as "Asia's tallest copper structure on a mountain peak" and "Vietnam's tallest bronze Buddha statue on a mountain peak."

The highlight of this tourist attraction is the Black Virgin Statue. With a total height of 72 meters, cast with more than 170 tons of bronze, it has been recognized by the World Guinness Records as the highest copper structure on a mountaintop in Asia and Vietnam.