Vung Tau Thich Ca Phat Dai Pagoda – Vietnam

Situated on an area of 5 hectares at the foothills of the Big Mountain and some 3 km from the citi center, Thich Ca Phat Dai is a cultural and historical site and one of the most famous tourist attractions in the city of Vung Tau.

Before the foundation of the pagoda, this was a wild mountainous area until 1957 when a man named Le Quang Vinh came to set up a small temple called Thien Lam Tu for his religious worship. In 1962, a larger temple was proposed by many of the Buddhists in the region. Worked commenced in that same year 1962 and was completed one year later in 1963. Thich Ca Phat Dai has the many common features that are easily regconized in many other Buddhist temples in Vietnam.

However, the unique thing about this pagoda lies in the harmonious combination between its architectural structure and the natural surroundings, especially the white cement construction of the giant statue of Buddha perched on a 4.5 meter high pedestal shaped like a lotus blossom. Another significant design of the pagoda is the construction of various statues leading from the foothill to the pagoda which vividly describes the most important events in the life of the Buddha such as the Buddha at his birth, The Buddha shaving his hair after His Great Departure with His royal servant named Chana on His White Horse, His sitting in meditation pose under the Bodhi tree and His reaching Nirvana state etc.

With its architectural, cultural and religious values, Thich Ca Phat Dai has been regconized by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism as a national historical cultural heritage and há become the pride of the local people in particular and the country in general.

Location: Thich Ca Phat Dai is situated about 3km from the center of Vung Tau City.

Characteristics: Thich Ca Phat Dai Pagoda is one of the largest pagodas in Vung Tau.