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Long Son Pagoda Nha Trang is one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples in Vietnam, best known for the giant White Buddha statue crowning Trai Thuy Hill in the heart of Nha Trang. Whether you’re drawn by its centuries of history, its record-holding statues, or simply the panoramic city view from the hilltop, this guide covers everything you need – history, highlights, how to get there, etiquette, and what to combine nearby – before you visit with New Life Travel.
Quick facts about Long Son Pagoda Nha Trang
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 23 Thang 10 Street, at the foot of Trai Thuy Hill, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province |
| Entrance fee | Free |
| Founded | 1886, by Venerable Thich Ngo Chi |
| Distance from city center | Central Nha Trang, near Tram Huong Tower |
| Steps to the White Buddha statue | About 193 stone steps from the main temple to the hilltop |
| Best known for | The largest outdoor Buddha statue in Vietnam and a record-holding pair of temple candles |
Where is Long Son Pagoda Nha Trang?
Long Son Pagoda sits at the foot of Trai Thuy Hill in central Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province – roughly 390km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City and about 1,290km southeast of Hanoi. In the same hill area you’ll find two well-known pagodas: Long Son Pagoda below and Hai Duc Pagoda above. The site faces a major transportation hub with both railway and highway access, making it an easy gateway stop whether you’re arriving from the north or south of the city.
History of Long Son Pagoda
Long Son Pagoda (originally named Dang Long Tu) was founded in 1886 by Venerable Thich Ngo Chi, a native of Vinh Xuong District who joined the anti-French resistance movement in his youth before devoting his life to Buddhism. It was first built as a modest structure at the top of Trai Thuy Hill – the same spot where the Great Buddha statue stands today. After a severe storm around 1900, the pagoda was relocated down the hill to its current location and renamed Long Son.
In 1936, following the founder’s wishes, the pagoda was donated to become the headquarters of the Khanh Hoa Buddhist Association. It went through several cycles of destruction and rebuilding over the following decades: repaired and expanded in 1940, severely damaged during the resistance war against France in 1946 and rebuilt in 1950, damaged again during the Vietnam War period (documented as 1963 in some records and 1968 in others) and restored through the 1970s under the direction of Venerable Thich Thien Binh, based on architectural plans by Vo Dinh Diep – with reconstruction reported as roughly 60% complete by 1975.
| Year / period | Development |
|---|---|
| 1886 | Dang Long Tu was founded by Venerable Thich Ngo Chi on Trai Thuy Hill. |
| Around 1900 | The pagoda was relocated downhill after a severe storm and renamed Long Son. |
| 1936 | The pagoda became the headquarters of the Khanh Hoa Buddhist Association. |
| 1940–1950 | The complex was repaired, damaged during wartime and rebuilt. |
| 1960s–1970s | Further restoration and development continued across the temple complex. |
Highlights of Long Son Pagoda
Exploring the temple is best done from the bottom up, climbing a total of around 193 stone steps to reach the hilltop where the largest Buddha statue in Vietnam sits. There are four main highlights along the way.
Main temple
At the entrance to the main hall, a stone mosaic dragon panel greets visitors, with mythical Taoist-inspired animal motifs carved into the roof details and pillars. Inside the sanctum sits a bronze Shakyamuni Buddha statue weighing around 700kg (reported height varies between roughly 1.6m and 2m across sources), backed by a large mirror symbolizing the Buddha’s radiant aura and a multi-armed statue of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (Quan Am Chuan De). Nearby stands a pair of dragon-and-lotus carved candles weighing 900kg and standing 3.4m tall, created by Venerable Thich Hien Chon and recognized as a Vietnam record. The main hall is solemn rather than grand, and it’s common to see worship ceremonies taking place with local Buddhists and pilgrims.
Reclining (Lying) buddha statue
On the right side of the main temple, 44 stone steps lead up to a reclining Buddha statue depicting Buddha’s entry into Nirvana, with a relief behind it showing 49 disciples gathered in prayer. Reported dimensions vary between sources, but the statue is generally described as several meters long and roughly 5m tall.
Bell tower
About 10 more steps above the reclining Buddha statue is the Bell Tower, home to a large bronze bell weighing approximately 1,500kg (roughly 2.2m tall), a gift from Hue Buddhist followers in 2002. When the bell echoes at dawn or dusk, it’s said to bring a sense of calm across the surrounding city.
White buddha statue (Golden body buddha / Kim Than Phat To)
From the bell tower, another roughly 140 stone steps (around 193 steps total from the main temple) lead to the hilltop, where the Golden Body Buddha – commonly called the White Buddha statue – sits in a preaching pose. Built of concrete and completed in 1965, the statue stands 24m tall on a 7m lotus pedestal with a 10m diameter, and has been recognized as the largest outdoor Buddha statue in Vietnam. Around the pedestal are seven statues representing Buddhist martyrs, and from this height visitors get a sweeping view over Nha Trang city, the coastline and surrounding hills.
Things to do at Long Son Pagoda Nha Trang
- Admire the panoramic city view: from the hilltop next to the White Buddha statue, you can see the whole of Nha Trang city and coastline – a popular spot for photos.
- Join study and practice sessions: beyond sightseeing, the pagoda hosts Buddhist study and practice activities that visitors and locals can take part in.
- Experience annual festivals: Long Son Pagoda holds seasonal events such as the flower lantern exhibition in the first lunar month, the Buddha bathing ceremony in April, and the Vu Lan Bon festival in July.
How to get to Long Son Pagoda Nha Trang
Being right in central Nha Trang, the pagoda is easy to reach several ways. From near Tram Huong Tower, head along Le Thanh Ton Street to Thai Nguyen Street and then to 23 Thang 10 Street. From the north of the city, follow 2/4 Street through Tran Quy Cap Street to 23 Thang 10 Street, near Nha Trang Stone Church. Options for getting around include renting a motorbike from your accommodation (around 150,000-200,000 VND/bike/day), taking a taxi, or using local bus routes 01, 02 or 74 for a budget option (roughly 7,000-10,000 VND).
Nearby attractions to combine with tour visit
A trip to Long Son Pagoda pairs naturally with a few other landmarks within a short distance:
- Po Nagar Cham Towers (about 4km away): red-brick Cham towers built to worship the goddess Po Nagar, “the mother of nature” – especially lively during the Thap Ba Festival in late March (21-23/3 lunar calendar).
- Alexandre Yersin Museum (about 3.2km away): a small, well-preserved museum showcasing the instruments and belongings of Dr. Yersin, who discovered the bacterium causing plague, along with 3D photos and a short film about his life.
- Dam Market (about 2.5km away): a lively local market known for fresh seafood and Nha Trang specialties – a good stop for souvenirs and gifts.
Local specialties to try near Long Son Pagoda
Nha Trang’s food scene is easy to combine with a pagoda visit. If you want a fuller list of nearby seafood spots by address and price, see our guide to Bo Ke seafood restaurants in Nha Trang, which covers many of the fresh-catch venues locals recommend, such as Binh Dan Seafood, Long Vu Restaurant.
Beyond seafood, look for Nha Trang-style banh can (rice flour cakes with egg, shrimp or squid, dipped in sweet-salty fish sauce), Nha Trang jellyfish noodles (a mix of sweet-salty broth, crunchy jellyfish and fish cakes – great for breakfast), the charcoal-grilled Lac Canh beef from a restaurant with more than 40 years of history, and banh canh cha ca (thick noodle soup with fish cakes in a sweet sea-fish broth).
Where to stay near Long Son Pagoda
Nha Trang offers accommodation across every budget and style near the pagoda and along the beachfront, including Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel, InterContinental Nha Trang, Muong Thanh Luxury Nha Trang, Vinpearl Condotel Beachfront Nha Trang, Aroma Nha Trang Boutique Hotel and Sata Hotel Nha Trang in the city center, or resort-style options further out such as Cam Ranh Riviera Beach Resort & Spa and Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Contact New Life Travel for help matching a hotel or resort to your budget and itinerary.
Etiquette and notes when visiting
As an active place of worship, Long Son Pagoda has visiting etiquette worth knowing in advance:
- At the Tam Quan (temple gate), enter on the right and exit on the left – the center door is reserved and should not be used by visitors.
- Dress modestly: knees and shoulders covered, and long pants are required to enter the main hall. Choose comfortable, easy-to-remove shoes for climbing the steps.
- Speak and walk quietly; prayers can be silent rather than spoken aloud. Turn off or silence your phone.
- Do not touch or climb on Buddha statues, and do not ring the temple bell without permission.
- If bringing offerings, keep them vegetarian (incense, fruit, tea, candles, vegetarian food) – avoid savory/meat offerings, and follow the temple’s placement instructions.
- Burn incense only at the designated outdoor area to limit smoke inside the temple.
- Be mindful when taking photos – avoid disrespectful or exaggerated poses, and keep an eye on your belongings.
- Help keep the grounds clean and green – do not litter.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee for Long Son Pagoda?
No, entrance is free.
How many steps are there to the White Buddha statue?
Around 193 stone steps in total from the main temple to the hilltop, passing the reclining Buddha statue (44 steps) and the Bell Tower (about 10 steps further) along the way.
What should I wear to visit Long Son Pagoda?
Modest clothing that covers the knees and shoulders; long pants are required to enter the main hall. Comfortable shoes are recommended for the climb to the hilltop.
Is Long Son Pagoda the oldest pagoda in Vietnam?
It is widely described as one of the oldest and most historically significant pagodas in Vietnam, having been founded in 1886 and rebuilt multiple times through various historical periods.
What else can I visit near Long Son Pagoda?
Po Nagar Cham Towers, the Alexandre Yersin Museum and Dam Market are all within a few kilometers and can be combined into the same day.
Conclusion
Long Son Pagoda is more than a photo stop – it’s a living spiritual and historical landmark that has survived storms, wars and decades of rebuilding while remaining a symbol of Nha Trang. Combine it with nearby Po Nagar Cham Towers, the Yersin Museum or Dam Market, dress respectfully, and take the time to climb to the White Buddha statue for one of the best panoramic views of the city. Contact New Life Travel to build this stop into a full Nha Trang itinerary alongside your hotel, dining and other tours.
