Is there a laughinh buddha at top of sam mpuntain năm 2024

We spent about 3.5 weeks exploring and discovering things to do in the Mekong Delta region. The south of Vietnam is a fascinating place full of culture and history and not overtly affected by tourism. The land here is fertile and people have learnt to use the Mekong Delta to their advantage.

Here is our list of the best things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam.

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To reach the summit of Sam Mountain, it is a steep walk up the eastern side of the mountain. For the less active folk, there are motorbikes available that will give you a ride up the slope. The walk up the mountain gives you the enriching opportunity to visit a Khmer village and observe their way of life. You can also stop by the innumerable rice paddy fields and marvel at how rice grows. The summit has a small shrine, but it pales in comparison to the spectacular view the top offers - miles and miles of green countryside and if the weather permits, you can look over the border into Cambodia. The mountain is a military outpost - a legacy from the days of cross-border tensions, but is still functional and you may have to bribe the soldiers before you take pictures of them or anything military related. The north road leads you down the mountain and is decorated with tiny dinosaur statuettes, giving it an amusement park feel to it.

Tay An Temple

Is there a laughinh buddha at top of sam mpuntain năm 2024
Tay An Temple or Pagoda is a Buddhist Temple at Nui Sam in Vietnam (Source)

When you are at Nui Sam, a temple that is definitely worth a visit is the Tay An temple. Located almost at the foot of Sam Mountain, it is a Buddhist temple with a lot of historic and architectural significance. The temple was first built by the Governor of An Giang, Doan Uan in 1847. The temple has been renovated a number of times throughout history, and each renovation has added its own influence of the culture of that period. The temple shows strong Buddhist as well as Hindu influences, with a number of statues of Buddha, elephants, the devas, Bodhisattvas and stupas. The Tay An temple hosts pompous celebrations during Buddhist festivals and this attracts a large number of pilgrims.

Where to Stay at Nui Sam

Is there a laughinh buddha at top of sam mpuntain năm 2024
Victoria Nui Sam Lodge is an exquisite hotel to stay at Nui Sam (Source)

Victoria Nui Sam Lodge is a lodge located on the flank of Sam mountain. It is visible while descending and the tranquility and exciting view from the hotel make it an extraordinary place to stay during your visit in and around Mekong Delta.

How to Reach Nui Sam

Is there a laughinh buddha at top of sam mpuntain năm 2024
Nui Sam can be reached from Chau Doc in Vietnam or Phnom Penh in Cambodia (Source)

Sam Mountain is a fairly remote location and hence there are no rail, boat or flight services. The only way to reach Sam Mountain is by road from Chau Doc. You can hire a cab to take you from the main Chau Doc city to Sam Mountain. However, for the physically fit, it is a pleasant 6 km walk.

Phnom Penh to Nui Sam: Though Phnom Penh is in Cambodia, Sam Mountain is closer to it than any other major Vietnamese city. Sam Mountain can be reached either by road or by water from Phnom Penh (Note: You need a Vietnamese Visa to visit Sam Mountain). A speedboat/ferry carries people from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc. It takes about 4 and a half hours to reach Chau Doc from Phonm Penh. Sam mountain is about 3 hours abway from Phnom Penh by road. You can either choose to book a taxi or take the bus service to Chau Doc.

Tips on Visiting Nui Sam

Is there a laughinh buddha at top of sam mpuntain năm 2024
Source

Sam mountain is a fairly deserted area, though it has a few stores selling their wares and a cafe. It is a great idea to carry lots of water and some snacks to munch on. Wear lots of sunscreen. Also beware of local hawkers trying to coerce you into buying their products at unreasonable prices.

Nui Sam is a magnificent place to visit, offering spectacular views from the summit as well as its deep historical and religious significance. A trip to the mountain is sure to keep you wanting more.

An Giang province is not only famous for the wild beauty of nature, but it is also well known with a lot of tourist attractions. In the previous post, BestPrice Travel introduced you to a famous attraction in An Giang province - Tra Su Mangrove. Today, we will suggest another place in An Giang too - Sam mountain.

Sam mountain is located in Chau Doc city which has an impressive spiritual temple and pagoda. This mountain is 284 meters high above sea level, it has approximately 200 relics scattered from the foot to the top of this mountain. It would be a miss not to visit when you come here.

What to see & do in Sam Mountain

Tay An Pagoda

Tay An Pagoda is a Buddhism pagoda, located in the mountain’s base. This pagoda is the historical legacy of interference between Vietnam and Indian architecture. Tay An Pagoda was constructed in 1847 and restored in 1958. The total area of this pagoda is 15.000 square meters. The main material of this pagoda is brick and cement. Through many years, Tay An Pagoda still keeps the beauty like when it was just restored.

The first thing you can see when visiting here is “Tam Quan” gate, it has 3 doors. “Quan Am Thi Kinh” statue is placed at the middle door. Once entering the pagoda, you will see a two-story Buddha worshipping tower. Upstairs is the statue of Amitabha Buddha standing in the middle of the high floor with a curved dome and pointed top according to the ancient tower in India. There are black elephant and white elephant statues in front of the tower. The large main hall consists of two roofs. On both sides are a bell tower and quadrangle drum. It has more than 200 large and small statues made from various materials such as rare wood, cement, and copper in the main hall. All of them are carefully carved.

Is there a laughinh buddha at top of sam mpuntain năm 2024

Tay An Temple

Hang Pagoda

Hang Pagoda is located in the mountainside with an overview of the wide paddy field at the foot of Sam mountain, it brings to visitors a peaceful atmosphere. This building was built between 1840 - 1845. The way leading to the pagoda is hundreds of steps created by large stone blocks stacked up higher and higher. Hang Pagoda is surrounded by a deep green forest. If you have a chance to come here in the blooming seasons, you will realize that it is not different from a fairyland. On the way to this pagoda has a map that shows you 44 locations inside the campus of Hang Pagoda and introduces you to how to get there. On the campus of Hang Pagoda is a statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and four dharma protectors look at the mountain’s foot. All of them are elaborate carvings.

The main hall is 11 meters long and 10 meters wide. Besides the main hall, the nooks of the cave deep into the cliffs at Hang Pagoda are used to place a complex of Buddha statues. On both sides of the entrance, visitors can see the statue of two giant snakes, they were named “Thanh Xa” and “Bach Xa” - the mascots which are associated with the legend of Hang Pagoda.

Is there a laughinh buddha at top of sam mpuntain năm 2024

Hang Temple

Ba Chua Xu Temple

Initially, Ba Chua Xu Temple was made mostly of wood and looked quite simple. Until 1870, the local people donated to build a large temple with beautiful architecture. This temple has the shape of a blooming lotus flower with three-story. All the roof of this temple is covered by blue tiles. Thanks to the skillfulness of the artists, the patterns in the main hall are delicate and charming. In Particular, the wall behind Ba Chua Xu statue and four pillars in front of the main hall almost remain the same. The Ba Chua Xu statue is located in the middle of the main hall. This statue has a high pedestal below, on both sides are two white cranes symbolizing her holy spirit. In 2009, Ba Chua Xu statue was recognized in the An Giang record book as the oldest and biggest sandstone statue in Vietnam.

Is there a laughinh buddha at top of sam mpuntain năm 2024

Ba Chua Xu Temple

Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb

This is one of the outstanding historical sites here which is a rare intact architectural building from the Nguyen dynasty in the south. This building consists of a tomb and temple that used to worship Mr.Nguyen Van Thoai (Thoai Ngoc Hau) - an official of the Nguyen Dynasty who has a lot of contribution to the development in both the economic and social life of An Giang.

Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb is located at the Sam mountain’s foot, on highway 91, opposite Ba Chua Xu Temple. This building is a harmonious architectural block. There is a steady white wall surrounding the building. The entrance of this tomb is 9 laterite steps. In the middle of campus is the tomb of Mr.Thoai Ngoc Hau, and 2 tombs of his wife on both sides. In front of the tomb is a large yard. In addition, it has a lot of graves of various shapes. There are anonymous graves of relatives and courtiers of his. Behind the tomb is a temple with beautiful decorations. A 2 meters majestic bust of Mr.Thoai Ngoc Hau is placed in the middle of the temple. This is a must-visit place that you will not forget.

Is there a laughinh buddha at top of sam mpuntain năm 2024

Ngoc Hau Tomb

Take a cable car and enjoying the scenery of Sam mountain from above

The cable car’s system is 900 meters long, consists of 37 cabins, each cabin with a capacity of 8 people. The cable car operates continuously 24/24 to meet the needs of visitors. Taking a cable car, you will have a chance to admire the unique architecture from the ground. In particular, the station has classical European architecture and a complex of religious buildings such as One Pillar Pagoda, Medicine Su Temple,...

This is a means of transportation that BestPrice Travel highly recommends you must try on your Sam mountain adventure trip. The ticket’s price depends on the way and it’s quite cheap. Two-way ticket: 90.000 VNĐ (4,5 USD)/adult, 70.000 VNĐ (3,5 USD)/children and One-way ticket: 60.000VNĐ (3 USD)/adult, 50.000 VNĐ (2,5 USD)/children.

Is there a laughinh buddha at top of sam mpuntain năm 2024

Sam Mountain Cable cab

Admire the magnificent sunset scenery from the top of Sam mountain

There is nothing more beautiful and poetic than the sunset. Standing at the top of Sam mountain, you not only have an overview of the peaceful scenery of Chau Doc city, but you also can see the sun like a fireball go down slowly. The sunlight turned orange and red. A peaceful feeling spread throughout the space. There is also a spot to take a fancy picture.

How to get there

Sam Mountain is the highest mountain in the Mekong Delta. It is a remote location so the only way to get to Sam mountain is the road from Chau Doc city. Take the center of Chau Doc city as a landmark, you can go through Nguyen Van Thoai street and go straight ahead to Tan Lo Kieu Luong road until you see the Sam mountain. The distance is about 6 kilometers. Because of its close distance, you can rent a motorbike or book a taxi to get there. It costs about 50.000VNĐ - 100.000VNĐ ( 3 - 5USD) depending on the means of transport you choose.

Travel tips

  • Most of the attractions in Sam mountain are temples and pagodas so you should dress up politely clothes, and remember not to make loud sounds
  • You should visit Sam mountain in the dry season (from December to April next year), this time is suitable for climbing the mountain without rain.
  • It is quite crowded in the holidays, especially Tet holiday so you can avoid this time when you decided to come here
  • A hat and sunscreen are encouraged to bring.

Hope that the above information is useful for you. We are pleased to plan you an unforgettable trip so do not hesitate to contact us now!