Exploring cultural and spiritual tourism in Dong Nai

Beyond its well-known ecotourism destinations of forests, waterfalls, and lakes, Dong Nai - especially during the early days of the Lunar New Year (Tet) - offers visitors the opportunity to explore cultural and spiritual tourism spaces deeply imbued with the historical legacy and distinctive identity of the Southern region.

People pray to Buddha for peace at Phat Quoc Van Thanh Pagoda in Binh Long ward at the beginning of the year. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Renowned cultural and spiritual destinations in Dong Nai include Chua Chan Mountain National Scenic Spot in Xuan Loc commune; Nguyen Huu Canh Temple, Ong Pagoda and the Buu Long Tourist Area with its numerous pagodas and shrines in Tran Bien ward; and Phat Quoc Van Thanh Pagoda in Binh Long ward, which houses the largest seated Buddha statue in Southeast Asia. These sites not only hold cultural and historical value but also attract thousands of visitors each spring.

A distinctive cultural and spiritual destination

For decades, every Tet, Chua Chan Mountain has welcomed tens of thousands of locals and tourists from across the country who come to offer flowers and pray to Buddha for peace for the new year. Located in Xuan Loc commune, Dong Nai province, Chua Chan Mountain is known as the “Second Heavenly Mountain” of the Southeast region, after Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh province. At its summit stands Gia Lao Pagoda, nestled inside a sacred cave, which is also referred to as Gia Ray Mountain or Gia Lao Mountain.

Among the many Buddhists who visit Gia Lao Pagoda each New Year is Huynh Nguyen Phuc (from Dinh Quan commune, Dong Nai province). Her family makes the pilgrimage on the morning of the first day of Tet. She shared that for more than 10 years, visiting Chua Chan Mountain on the first day of the year has become a family tradition. After praying at the mountain pagoda, they continue to visit other pagodas and shrines to offer incense and pray for peace. “Going to the pagoda has become a habit for our whole family. On the first morning of Tet, everyone wakes up early, dresses respectfully, and heads out to worship,” she said.

For generations, visiting pagodas at the start of the year has been a cherished spiritual custom of the Vietnamese people. From New Year’s Eve through the first lunar month, alongside family reunions to welcome the new spring, many people visit pagodas to pray to Buddha for peace and prosperity for their family throughout the year.

Located in Binh Long ward, Phat Quoc Van Thanh Pagoda has emerged as a distinctive spiritual destination attracting visitors from neighboring provinces and cities during Tet. Buddhists who have visited the pagoda shared that in addition to worship activities, the pagoda draws large crowds from provinces and cities in the Southern region because it is home to the tallest seated Buddha statue in Southeast Asia. The pagoda also features many beautifully crafted statues, including several gilded ones. The worship spaces are elaborately decorated yet maintain a solemn and tranquil atmosphere. In addition to the 73‑meter-tall Shakyamuni Buddha statue, the site includes a 30‑meter-tall Maitreya statue, the Pho Da Mountain complex, and the Thien Thu Thien Nhan Shrine hidden within a cave. During the Year of the Horse 2026, the pagoda welcomed thousands of visitors for worship and sightseeing.

A convergence of Southern cultural identity

Dong Nai is home to 121 ranked historical and cultural relics, including 7 special national relics, 41 national relics, 72 provincial-level relics, and nearly 1,500 inventoried sites. Notable examples include Cat Tien National Park (Nam Cat Tien commune); Southeast Regional Party Committee Base, Central Bureau for Southern Vietnam Base, and the Ma Da Base (Tri An commune); Bu Gia Map National Park; Ta Thiet Regional Command (Loc Thanh commune); and the Hang Gon Dolmen (Long Khanh ward). The province also hosts relic sites associated with festivals recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as the Ong Pagoda Festival and the Commemoration Ceremony for Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh.

Visitors pay respect at Ong Pagoda.

After the Tet holiday, residents of Tran Bien, Tam Hiep, and Bien Hoa wards and Ho Chi Minh City eagerly gathered at Ong Pagoda (That Phu Ancient Temple) in Tran Bien ward to participate in the Ong Pagoda Festival, held from February 26 to March 1, 2026. The festival was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2023 and has long been a beloved post‑Tet tradition.

Adjacent to Ong Pagoda stands Nguyen Huu Canh Temple, where visitors can learn about the life of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh, who administered the Southern region under the Nguyen Lords and established his headquarters at Cu Lao Pho (now Tran Bien ward). A particularly precious relic displayed in the temple’s main hall is the ceremonial robe, hat, and belt believed to have belonged to Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh. After his passing, the people of Bien Hoa preserved these items as valuable heirlooms and have continued to worship him through generations. Each year, on the 16th day of the fifth lunar month, a commemorative ceremony is held at the temple, drawing large numbers of visitors to offer incense and pay tribute.

Ngo Duc Dung, a long-time resident of Tan Trieu Ward, shared that during holidays, Tet, or when welcoming guests from afar - especially at the beginning of the year - he often takes his family and visitors to explore and pay respects at Ong Pagoda, Nguyen Huu Canh Temple, and Tran Bien Temple of Literature.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha