Nha Trang, Vietnam is a bustling little town, full of energy and fireworks all year round, for both tourists and locals alike. But if you're looking for some peace and quiet and a change of scenery in between the sun and sand, then Long Son Pagoda is a great choice. This temple has a long history and isn't too remote, located just a little north of the city center and close to the train station, making it very easy to get around. What's special about it is that not only is it an important center of faith for local Buddhists, but it's also very open to tourists, with no entrance fee, so everyone can come in to worship, take photos, and take a break. As soon as you walk through the door of Longshan Temple, the whole person will slow down. The smell of incense mingles with the mountain breeze, and in your ears is the rustling sound of the wind blowing the leaves, and occasionally you will hear the sound of bells and monks chanting sutras. Compared with the sound of motorcycle horns outside, this place is like another world.
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The history of Long Son Temple dates back to 1886, when it was founded by a monk, Thích Ngộ Chí. At first, it was built on another hill, but in 1900, there was a big earthquake there and the temple was almost completely destroyed, so it was moved to the present location and rebuilt. Because of this, the temple has been rebuilt and refurbished many times, and what you see today is the architectural style of the mid-to-late 20th century, but a lot of the things inside, such as the Buddha statues, the bell tower, and the inscriptions, were actually left behind dozens of hundreds of years ago.
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Although this temple is not big, it is one of the most important Buddhist dojos in the Nha Trang area. Especially on traditional festivals such as Buddha's Birthday, Bon and Lunar New Year, there are many believers coming to burn incense and pray for blessings. Don't look at the outside as a popular attraction, the popularity of the temple is not piled up by tourists, but a place of real faith and incense.
It is especially worth mentioning that Long Son Temple is also one of the key witnesses of the Buddhist reform movement in Vietnam. In the middle of the last century, it used to be the base of many Buddhist activities, and several senior monks even protested against the government's religious repression by setting themselves on fire here, so for many Vietnamese, it's not just a temple, but also a piece of history.
Long Son Temple is divided into two main areas: the main hall area at the foot of the hill and the White Buddha statue area on the hillside. Not far from the entrance is the main hall, built in typical Vietnamese style, with a roof decorated with scrolling dragons and many traditional carvings and colorful paintings on the walls. Inside, a golden Sakyamuni Buddha statue is offered, and there are a number of incense burners and offering tables on both sides of the temple, where visitors can light incense and pray.
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And the most famous attraction of Longshan Temple is actually the huge white Sakyamuni Buddha statue that sits on top of the hill. To see it, you have to walk up a stone staircase to the mountain, there are about 150 steps, not particularly high, but remember to bring a bottle of water and climb slowly if you come in summer. Along the way you'll pass some stone statues of Buddha, stupas, and a statue of a reclining Buddha, which looks particularly serene. There are views around every corner, and occasionally you can see the rooftops of downtown Nha Trang through the trees, which is a unique experience.
After reaching the top of the hill, you will see a huge white Buddha statue, sitting in a solemn posture up to 24 meters high, the base is still a circle of lotus shape, very imposing. Looking down from this angle, you can see the whole city of Nha Trang, and if you come in the evening, you can see the sun setting a little bit between the city and the sea, the picture is as beautiful as a postcard.
Longshan Temple is a Buddhist temple, but it is actually very friendly to the public. Not only can tourists go in during the week, but when it comes to some Buddhist festivals, such as the Buddha's Birthday (April 15 on the lunar calendar) and the Bon Festival (July 15), there are also large-scale pujas and chanting ceremonies, and sometimes there are life-releasing activities, which means that small fish or birds purchased are released back into the nature to symbolize the merit of the event.
These events usually don't require special enrollment and don't charge any money, but if you'd like to participate, you're welcome to quietly observe the ceremony from the sidelines. Of course if you are interested in Buddhist culture, you can also find a monk to have a brief chat with, and as long as you are polite, they are usually happy to talk to visitors and share the basic concepts of Buddhism. There are also occasional short meditation or lecture programs for those who want to go deeper.
However, there will be more people during the events, especially local believers with their families, so if you are looking to take pictures of the empty scenery and feel the pure atmosphere, it may be more appropriate to come on weekdays. Although the festival is lively, it's like entering a temple fair with a completely different atmosphere and a different experience.
Longshan Temple is open to everyone free of charge, whether you believe in Buddhism, something else, or nothing, to come here will not stop you. But also because it is a religious place, some basic etiquette or have to pay attention to. First of all, the dress, do not require you to dress like a wedding, but at least to cover the shoulders and knees, do not wear suspenders, shorts or flip-flops went in. Remember to take off your shoes before entering the main hall, try not to turn on the flash when taking pictures, and don't stand in front of the incense case to pose for that kind of “card photo”, to the statue of Buddha to maintain respect.
The environment of the temple is quite clean, the steps on the hill are also well repaired, but some places are slippery, especially after the rain, be careful when walking. If you are a visitor with limited mobility, the main hall is relatively easy to reach, but the section up the hill to the White Buddha statue can be a bit strenuous, but it is possible to walk slowly, and many elderly people have climbed up.
The whole visit time is about one to two hours almost, take pictures, pray, walk around just right. There are a few stalls selling snacks and souvenirs at the bottom of the hill, but the number is not large and the price is a little bit more expensive than outside the scenic area, so you can take a look at it, but you don't have to buy it in a hurry.
The beauty of Nha Trang is not only the sea beach, but also hidden in these old buildings standing quietly in the corner of the city. Long Son Temple is one such place, which doesn't have so many flashy decorations and doesn't rely on commercial activities to attract popularity, but has become a piece of pure land in many people's hearts because of its history, beliefs and environment. You can come here to ask for peace, take a nice picture of the Buddha, or just sit under the trees and listen to the wind and feel the tranquility that is different from the rhythm of traveling.
