Religious symbols of the Southern people

For most people in the South, Ba Den Mountain is one of the most sacred acupuncture points in the country, a place where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth converges. According to historical documents from the 19th century, Ba Den Mountain is considered a sacred mountain guarding Gia Dinh citadel (formerly Saigon), where "golden bells appear and disappear in the lake, and dragon boats sail on moonlit nights". Therefore, many people consider setting foot on the sacred Ba Den Mountain a must-do at the beginning of each year to pray for peace and luck.

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Thousands of tourist families camp at the foot of Ba Den Mountain, creating a vivid picture of spring colors. Photo: Minh Tu

Throughout January, especially during Tet and near the Full Moon of January, thousands of people camp and sleep at the foot of the mountain as a way to breathe and receive the spiritual energy from the sacred mountain for a peaceful and prosperous year. On the 4th day of Tet alone, Tay Ninh welcomed a huge number of visitors from all over the provinces to watch the opening of the Ba Mountain Spring Festival, including 145,000 people taking the cable car up to Ba Den Mountain. Thousands of families, groups of young people, and tourists were present from early morning to late at night, spreading mats, canvas, carpets, sleeping bags, etc. around the foot of the mountain to receive the peaceful energy from the sacred mountain, while waiting for the brilliant fireworks display to celebrate the new year.

Ms. Pham Khanh Ngoc (Long An) said: "Every year during Tet, my family goes to Ba Den Mountain and camps out for at least one night, both to feel the unique all-night spring atmosphere here, and to feel protected and embraced by Linh Son Thanh Mau."

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The majestic statue of Lady Buddha Tay Bo Da Son on the "roof of the South". Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

Linh Son Thanh Mau, also known as Ba Den, is a religious symbol of the people of the South. Known through many legends about her miraculous salvation of sentient beings, Linh Son Thanh Mau is worshiped by the people as the main goddess of Ba Den mountain. Coming to Ba Den mountain in early spring, for most people, is to worship her and pay respect to Linh Son Thanh Mau.

Therefore, on the first days of the year, Ba Den Mountain is always crowded with people from Tay Ninh and neighboring provinces such as Long An, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ben Tre, Ho Chi Minh City, Tien Giang, etc., along with many people from Cambodia bordering Tay Ninh. Every day, groups of people eagerly come to the foot of the mountain to spread mats, gather to chat, eat, and sleep overnight to go up the mountain in the morning to worship Ba, pick lucky branches and pray for blessings.

Unique overnight spring travel destination

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Ba Mountain is bustling with tourists from all over the country making pilgrimages during Tet. Photo: Bui Van Hai

This bustling spring festival atmosphere lasts throughout January, every day the sacred mountain is crowded with pilgrims coming to worship and have fun. Especially on the days near the Lantern Festival, at dusk, groups of people can be seen spreading mats and stretching tarps all over the foot of the mountain. Every now and then, a group of people can be seen coming to the foot of the mountain with a mess of blankets, pillows, mosquito nets, pots, pans, dishes, enough to camp at the foot of the mountain for up to 3 days. From the elderly to children, to groups of young people, everyone is bustling about chatting, laughing, singing, eating and drinking all night long.

“This is truly a camping festival. The feeling of being immersed in the bustling atmosphere all night long here is great. Everyone feels like they have known each other for a long time. The elderly are tired and sleep, the children run around in their red and green dresses, the adults chat all night long. This is the real way to enjoy spring,” said Mr. Tran Van Ha (HCMC).

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Tulip paradise adds spring colors to Ba Mountain. Photo: Minh Tu

Over the years, sleeping overnight at the foot of Ba Den Mountain during Tet has become a tradition, a special cultural feature, unlike any other spiritual destination. In the morning, groups of people flock to Ba Temple - an ancient temple with a history of 3 centuries, to make offerings at the beginning of the year to Linh Son Thanh Mau Bo Tat and go up the mountain to pray for peace in front of the tallest Buddha statue in Asia, the largest statue of Bodhisattva Maitreya in the world and visit the large exhibition area - where visitors will explore the world of Buddhism and seek peace and happiness in the first days of the new year. The spring atmosphere continues to be bustling on the top of the mountain with Chhay Dam drum dances, Khmer dances, and five-tone music... typical of the Khmer people of Tay Ninh held throughout the Tet holidays. Thousands of tulips bloom brilliantly with all kinds of colors, creating a spring paradise right on the top of the mountain known as "the first heavenly mountain".

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Image of tourists sincerely picking lucky branches to pray for peace at the beginning of the year at Ba Pagoda on the "first mountain of heaven". Photo: Minh Tu

In particular, visitors will participate in many unique spiritual experiences on the mountain top on the God of Wealth's day (January 10) to pray for wealth at the beginning of the year and attend the sacred lantern offering ceremony to pray for peace and luck in the new year on the 15th day of the first lunar month.

With many unique cultural experiences unlike any other spiritual destination, Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh has become a must-visit pilgrimage site for people to welcome a new year of peace and prosperity.

Le Thanh