The Legend of “Bà Đen” Mountain
There are many legends about Bà Đen Mountain that have been passed down through the generations, the most famous being the story of Lý Thị Thiên Hương, a young woman who took her own life on the mountain after being accosted by a group of thugs. She is said to have appeared in three visions, after which she was revered as the Linh Sơn Thánh Mẫu, becoming a symbol of faith for the people of Southern Vietnam for centuries.
Bà Đen Mountain, the tallest peak in Southern Vietnam, is shrouded in mysterious legends and has become a popular destination for pilgrims and explorers alike.
According to the legend, Thiên Hương was the beautiful and pure-hearted daughter of Lý Thiện, an official of the Nguyễn Dynasty. While visiting a temple on the mountain, she was accosted by a group of thugs. Lê Sĩ Triệt, an orphan raised by the monk Trí Tân and a talented scholar-warrior, bravely came to her rescue.
In gratitude, Thiên Hương’s parents promised her hand in marriage to Lê Sĩ Triệt. However, before they could be wed, Lê Sĩ Triệt had to leave to fight against the Tây Sơn. Thiên Hương vowed to wait faithfully for her beloved’s return. While he was away, she visited the mountain to pray and pay respects to Trí Tân but was once again confronted by the same group of thugs, intending to dishonor her. To preserve her honor, she leaped to her death from a cliff.
The name “Bà Đen” (Black Lady) originates from the legend of this beautiful young woman’s sacrifice, as she appeared in a vision to monk Trí Tân as a dark-skinned woman, recounting her tragic story. The monk then had her body retrieved and buried, and she became known as “Nàng Đen” (Black Lady), later revered as “Bà Đen” as a sign of respect.
The legend of Bà Đen Mountain reached Nguyễn Ánh, who was fleeing from the Tây Sơn army. He sent an envoy to the mountain to seek guidance, and Thiên Hương appeared in a vision, advising him to seek refuge in Siam and predicting that he would eventually regain his kingdom. She also guided him to safety.
The story of Bà Đen also came to the attention of Lê Văn Duyệt, a high-ranking official, who decided to investigate the truth behind the legend. He vowed to petition the king to bestow an official title upon the spirit of the Lý family daughter if she appeared to him.
One day, Thiên Hương possessed a young woman and spoke to Lê Văn Duyệt, foretelling his future and revealing that his physical body would suffer despite his spiritual elevation. When Lê Văn Duyệt asked about her own tragic past, the young woman, through whom Thiên Hương spoke, tearfully recounted her story, explaining that due to her virginal state at the time of her death, she had become a saintly spirit, tasked with saving sentient beings.
Lê Văn Duyệt petitioned the king to bestow the title of “Linh Sơn Thánh Mẫu” upon Thiên Hương, and from then on, the mountain was known as Núi Bà Đen (Black Lady Mountain).
The legends associated with Núi Bà Đen have made it a popular pilgrimage site, attracting millions of visitors each year, especially from Southern Vietnam. Many choose to spend the night at the foot of the mountain during the Tet holiday or on the full moon of the first lunar month, hoping to be among the first to ascend the mountain at dawn to seek blessings for the new year.
Bà Đen Mountain is always bustling with visitors.
Exploring Núi Bà Đen
As one of the most sacred mountains in Vietnam, Núi Bà Đen holds great spiritual significance for the people of Southern Vietnam. It is home to six temples: Quan Âm, Hang, Hòa Đồng, Linh Sơn Tiên Thạch Tự, Long Châu Phước Trung, and Linh Sơn Phước Trung.
At the summit is a unique spiritual complex featuring the colossal statue of the Buddha Bà Tây Bổ Đà Sơn, which holds the record for the tallest copper statue in Asia. Below the statue is a large Buddhist exhibition hall.
Another notable feature is the statue of the Linh Sơn Thánh Mẫu, carved from a jade stone sourced from Myanmar and donated by a descendant of the Gia Long Emperor’s family in 2013. It is housed in the Điện Bà, a temple built within a cave, and is a sacred site for pilgrims.
Điện Bà, the temple dedicated to the Linh Sơn Thánh Mẫu, is a must-visit site for pilgrims and is located within a cave on the mountain.
Another important spiritual site is the Động Ba Cô, associated with three virgin sisters from the Mekong Delta who came to the mountain to practice spiritual cultivation in the early 20th century. They dedicated their lives to helping the poor and ill and are believed to have attained enlightenment. After their deaths, a shrine was established in the cave where they had meditated, and it has become a popular destination for those seeking blessings in love and health.
In addition to these spiritual sites, visitors can also participate in traditional festivals such as the vía Bà Đen and the full moon festival in the first lunar month. Nature enthusiasts can explore the mountain’s peaks, caves, and waterfalls, enjoying breathtaking views of Tay Ninh and its surroundings.
In the evenings, visitors can enjoy artistic light shows and participate in the unique cultural tradition of “dâng đăng” (offering lanterns), held every Saturday evening. Thousands gather at the square below the Buddha statue to take part in this spiritual ritual.
Accessing Núi Bà Đen has become more convenient with the installation of a modern cable car system, offering multiple routes and packages, including round-trip cable car rides and buffet meals at the summit, ranging from 500,000 to 700,000 VND per person.
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