Located on 23 Thang 10 Street at the foot of Trai Thuy Hill, Long Son Pagoda - also known as the White Buddha Pagoda - was originally built in 1886.

Long Son Pagoda.

After several restorations, it now spans over 3,000 square meters and is a central site for major activities organized by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Khanh Hoa Province.

The main hall covers more than 1,500 square meters and houses a 1.6-meter-tall bronze Buddha statue in a teaching pose, weighing 700 kilograms.

Visitors follow a stairway to reach the temple grounds.

The temple’s architecture reflects traditional Eastern design and is nestled amid verdant trees, making it a popular spiritual destination for residents of Khanh Hoa and visitors from afar. Nguyen Minh Thu, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, shared that the peaceful atmosphere, cool breeze, and scenic surroundings gave her a deep sense of calm and relief from daily stress.

The reclining Buddha statue symbolizes peace and enlightenment.

To explore the temple's highlights, visitors must climb a long stairway constructed for easier access. At the 44th step, guests will find a striking 17-meter-long, 5-meter-tall reclining Buddha statue depicting the Buddha entering Nirvana. Built in 2003, the statue is backed by a relief carving of 49 disciples meditating, enhancing the meditative ambiance of the site.

The pagoda features traditional Asian architecture surrounded by lush greenery.

Long Son Pagoda’s most iconic feature is the Kim Than Phat To statue (the white Buddha), seated in a teaching pose atop Trai Thuy Hill. Built in 1963, the 24-meter-tall statue was once recognized by the Vietnam Guinness Book of Records as the country’s largest outdoor Buddha statue. To reach it, visitors must ascend 193 stone steps.

The white Buddha was once one of the largest statues in central Vietnam.

Visible from both railway and road, the towering statue has long served as a landmark symbolizing peace and spiritual perseverance.

“Climbing these steps is a testament to one's patience and devotion to reaching a place of serenity,” shared visitor Tran Thi Quang.

The lotus pedestal displays portraits of Thich Quang Duc and six other monks who self-immolated in 1963.

The lotus pedestal supporting the statue also features reliefs of Venerable Thich Quang Duc and six other monks who self-immolated in protest against the Buddhist persecution under Ngo Dinh Diem’s regime in 1963.

A path behind the statue leads to a chamber guarded by two protector deities.

Behind the giant Buddha, a small entrance flanked by guardian statues leads to the interior of the lotus pedestal, which contains numerous smaller Buddha sculptures. This inner sanctum was built after 1975 following the statue’s completion.

Inside the pedestal: a tranquil space adorned with Buddha statues.

From the summit of the hill, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Nha Trang City. The tranquil surroundings, sacred space, and classical architecture make Long Son Pagoda an essential stop for anyone exploring the coastal city known as the land of agarwood.

Xuan Ngoc