North Vietnam
Yen Tu Sacred Mountain
Published on May 28, 2026
Overview
Yen Tu in Quang Ninh Province is the most sacred Buddhist site in Vietnam — home of the Truc Lam Zen Buddhism school founded by King Tran Nhan Tong who abdicated in 1299 to become a monk. The mountain has 11 pagodas along a 6 km pilgrimage trail through bamboo forests.
What to Do
- Pilgrimage hike to the summit pagoda (1,068m) — 5–6 hours each way
- Cable car — two sections bypass much of the climb with stunning views
- Hoa Yen Pagoda — the main mid-mountain pagoda with ancient bronze statues
- Bamboo forest walk through 700-year-old bamboo groves
Best Time to Visit
March–April after the main festival crowds.
Getting There
Bus from Hanoi to Uong Bi town then taxi to the cable car base.