Long Son Pagoda

Chùa Long Sơn

Nha Trang's largest Buddhist temple. Climb 152 steps to see the 24-meter white seated Buddha and reclining Buddha on the hilltop, with views over the whole city. Free admission.

Long Son Pagoda sits at the foot of Trai Thuy Hill on the west side of central Nha Trang. Construction began in 1886, and after a typhoon in 1900 the temple was moved to its present site. It is the seat of the Khanh Hoa Buddhist Association and the city's largest Buddhist temple. The main gate and sanctuary follow traditional Vietnamese temple architecture. Inside the main hall stands a bronze seated Buddha about 1.6 meters tall, and the dragon-shaped decorations on the roof ridges are finely carved. Behind the temple, 152 steps (about 10 minutes) lead up the hill. Halfway up you'll find a 17-meter-long white reclining Buddha and a stupa. At the summit is one of Nha Trang's landmarks: a white seated Shakyamuni Buddha about 24 meters tall, completed in 1963 and known as the 'White Buddha.' Reliefs around the lotus base depict the monk Thich Quang Duc, who burned himself in 1963 to protest religious persecution, along with other monks and nuns. From the hilltop terrace you can look out over the city, the railway and the bay beyond. Admission is free. The temple is generally open 07:30–17:00, and the summit Buddha can be visited all day. Allow about 45 minutes. It pairs well with Nha Trang Cathedral and Dam Market, both about 1 km away, for a half-day city tour. Getting there: about 2 km from the Tran Phu hotel area. A Grab takes about 5 minutes, or it's a 25-minute walk. Tips: dress with shoulders and knees covered, and remove your shoes inside the hall. On the steps and near the gate, some people claiming to be temple staff will ask for 'incense donations' or try to sell you incense and candles. The temple itself charges no fee, so a polite refusal is all you need. Keep an eye on your belongings.

Long Son Pagoda

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