Culture and historyChùa Long Sơn
Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha
Quick answer
Nha Trang's principal Buddhist temple, about 400 m west of the railway station. Founded in 1886 as Dang Long Tu on another hill, it was moved here after a cyclone destroyed it in 1900 and renovated in 1940 and 1971. Above it sits the white concrete Buddha, cast in 1964 and installed the following year, 24 m tall in total (14 m figure on a 7 m lotus base), surrounded by seven arahant statues and reached by 152 stone steps from the temple entrance. Entry is free.
Practical
| From the beachfront | 2 km · 8 min |
|---|---|
| Entrance | Free (donations welcome; boxes are inside the halls) |
| Hours | Commonly listed as about 07:00-17:00; other sources say 08:00-17:00 or 06:00-18:00 |
| Best time | Early morning or late afternoon - the steps are fully exposed to the sun |
| Allow | 45-60 minutes |
| Foreign visitors | Allowed |
Why go
- The white Buddha is the city's most recognisable landmark and visible from much of Nha Trang
- 152 steps up to a terrace with a full panorama over the city and the coast
- Dragon mosaics in glass and ceramic tile across the entrance and roofs
- A working temple with a monastic school, not a museum piece
- Free, and only two kilometres from the beach
How to get there
22 Duong 23/10, about 2 km west of the beach and 400 m west of the railway station; walk from the cathedral in 15 minutes or take a minimum-fare Grab.
Tips
- Entry is free and there is no ticket. Anyone at the gate asking for money, selling 'tickets' in the form of postcards, or dressed as a nun collecting a fee is running a scam - this is documented by multiple guides
- A second documented scam: people who attach themselves to new arrivals as unofficial guides, sometimes pressing incense into your hands and lighting it, then demanding a donation that goes into their pocket
- Put donations in the temple's own boxes inside the halls, never into a hand
- Cover shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off at the shrine doors
- Ignore anyone at the bottom of the steps who tells you the site is closed and offers an alternative
Map
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to visit Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha?
Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha: Free (donations welcome; boxes are inside the halls). Fees change, so treat this as the last published figure rather than a guarantee.
How far is Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha from the beachfront?
Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha is about 2 km from the Tran Phu beachfront by road, roughly 8 minutes by taxi.
When is the best time to visit Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha?
Best time for Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha: Early morning or late afternoon - the steps are fully exposed to the sun.
How long do I need at Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha?
Allow 45-60 minutes for Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha, not counting the journey each way.
Can foreign visitors go to Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha?
Yes, foreign visitors are permitted at Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha under the current rules. Carry your passport.
How do I get to Long Son Pagoda and the White Buddha?
22 Duong 23/10, about 2 km west of the beach and 400 m west of the railway station; walk from the cathedral in 15 minutes or take a minimum-fare Grab.
Nearby
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Nha Trang Railway Station
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Nha Trang Cathedral (Christ the King / Stone Church)
The mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Nha Trang, built from 1928 in Gothic Revival style on Hoang Lan hill above the Nga…
Free Shopping and markets · 1km
Dam Market
Nha Trang's biggest and oldest market, named after the 7-hectare lagoon it was built on; a market has stood here since about 19…
Sources
4Every figure on this page comes from one of these pages, fetched on the date shown, or is computed from coordinates.