Pilgrimage to Ba Den Mountain on the occasion of Vesak 2025: Worship Buddha's relics, light candles to pray for peace

Vesak 2025 – Golden opportunity for Buddhists to make pilgrimage to Ba Den Mountain

What is Vesak 2025?

Ba Den Mountain was chosen as the destination for the 2025 Vesak Festival. (Photo: Collected)

Vesak is a major day for global Buddhism, commemorating three major events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni: Birth - Enlightenment - Nirvana. This year, Vesak 2025 is solemnly held at Ba Den Mountain - Tay Ninh , from May 6 to 8, 2025.

Why was Ba Den Mountain chosen as the venue for Vesak 2025?

Ba Den Mountain is known as “the first mountain in heaven”, with many magnificent cultural and spiritual works. (Photo: Collected)

Ba Den Mountain is the highest mountain in the South, associated with the sacred legend of Ba Den. Every year, this place attracts millions of pilgrims , especially during Buddhist festivals. Possessing a complex of Ba Pagoda, a massive statue of Buddha Tay Bo Da Son and the most modern cable car system in Vietnam, Ba Den Mountain is currently one of the most famous pilgrimage destinations in the Southeast in particular and the South in general.

Outstanding spiritual activities at Ba Den Mountain on the occasion of Vesak 2025

Receive and honor sacred Buddha relics

Buddha relics at Ba Den mountain. (Photo: Collected)

On April 25, 2025, the Buddha's relics were brought from Bodh Gaya (India) to be placed at Tay Bo Da Son Square - near the Buddha statue on the top of Ba Den Mountain. This is a rare opportunity for Buddhists to worship the original Buddha's relics, increasing their compassion and faith.

Buddha Bathing Ceremony – Ritual to Wash Away Defilements

The ceremony will be solemnly held at Ba Den Mountain. (Photo: Collected)

One of the important spiritual rituals on Vesak is the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, recreating the moment of Buddha's birth. Buddhists will directly participate in this ceremony in the temple grounds, in the pure space of the sacred mountain, helping to wash away worries and direct the mind to goodness.

Light candles to pray for world peace

A candlelight vigil for peace will be held on the evening of May 8. (Photo: Collected)

On the evening of May 8, 2025, thousands of Buddhists and international delegates will light candles to pray for peace, harmony and tolerance - in line with the message of this year's Vesak: "Buddhist wisdom for peace and sustainable development".

Bodhi Tree Planting Ceremony – Sowing the seeds of peace

Following the relic procession, the planting of 108 Bodhi trees will be held at the Bodhi Garden on top of Ba Den Mountain by eminent monks and leaders of Buddhist delegations from 80 countries around the world. (Photo: Collected)

108 Bodhi trees – a symbol of enlightenment – will be planted at Ba Den Mountain as a spiritual mark of Vesak 2025. Each tree bears the name of a participating country, contributing to creating a pure and green space for the Ba Temple complex.

Pilgrimage itinerary guide to Ba Den Mountain on Vesak 2025

At Ba Den Mountain, many meaningful activities will take place to celebrate Buddha's birthday. (Photo: Collected)

• From Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh: You can take a bus (Mien Tay bus station, An Suong) or travel by motorbike along National Highway 22 – about 2–2.5 hours.
• From other provinces to Tay Ninh: You can take a plane to Tan Son Nhat and then take a bus to Tay Ninh.

Suggested itinerary for a 1-day pilgrimage tour to Ba Den Mountain

🕖 07:00: Move to Ba Den Mountain tourist area
🕘 09:00: Take the cable car to the top of the mountain - visit the Buddha statue, worship the relics
🕙 11:00: Attend the Buddha bathing ceremony - pray for peace
🕛 12:00: Lunch at the food court at the foot of the mountain
🕒 15:00: Light candles and pray and participate in the Bodhi tree planting ceremony
🕕 18:00: Down the mountain - end of journey

Tay Ninh Vegetarian Cuisine – Pure Nutrition for Pilgrims

Tay Ninh vegetarian dishes are served during both festivals and daily life. (Photo: Collected)

After participating in the spiritual festival activities at Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh vegetarian cuisine is the ideal choice for you to enjoy delicious, light, and nutritious dishes. Whether you are a vegetarian or just eat vegetarian during the holidays, you can easily find many vegetarian restaurants around the mountain area and the city center.

Suggested delicious vegetarian dishes to try

• Tay Ninh vegetarian vermicelli soup – rich flavor from tomatoes, soft tofu and Western vegetables.
• Vegetarian mushroom hotpot - a sweet and light hotpot, suitable for groups of friends or families.
• Mixed vegetarian rice - a variety of vegetarian dishes such as pork roll, vegetarian fried meat, braised eggplant with pepper...
• Tay Ninh vegetarian pancakes – crispy on the outside, vegetable filling with a strong countryside flavor.

Outstanding vegetarian restaurant address in Tay Ninh

• Thien Duyen Vegetarian Restaurant – near the foot of Ba Den Mountain, famous for vegetarian rice and vegetarian Hue noodles.
• Tam Duc Vegetarian Restaurant (Tay Ninh City) – clean space, serving vegetarian buffet on big holidays.
• Chay Sen Vang – a variety of traditional vegetarian dishes, especially delicious at noon.

Note: You should eat a light, frugal meal before participating in the spiritual ceremony to keep your body, speech and mind pure. Vegetarian restaurants around the festival area are often crowded during Vesak, so you should go early or make a reservation in advance if you are going in a large group.

What should you prepare when making a pilgrimage to Vesak at Ba Den Mountain?

Wear comfortable but discreet clothes. (Photo: Collected)

• Dress neatly and modestly: Prioritize long dresses and blue suits, avoid short, offensive clothes.
• Bring a light jacket as it can be chilly on the mountain tops in the mornings.
• Prepare flowers and simple, sincere offerings.
• Book in advance if staying overnight because the holiday season is very crowded.
• Go early to avoid long lines at the cable car.

Pilgrimage to Ba Den Mountain on the occasion of Vesak 2025 is not only a journey to explore the majestic beauty of Tay Ninh, but also a sacred opportunity to turn to spirituality, participating in meaningful Buddhist rituals. From worshiping Buddha's relics, bathing Buddha, lighting candles to planting Bodhi trees - all will be unforgettable moments of peace in life.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/du-lich-hanh-huong-nui-ba-den-dip-dai-le-vesak-2025-v16978.aspx