8 Stories of Gleaming Gold β The Biggest Buddha in Dalat Vietnam
The golden Buddha of Dalat is an irresistible sightseeing experience. Located just 10 minutes from Dalat city center, it is also very convenient to visit.
This Buddha is big – 80 feet tall and 66 feet wide. The statue sits atop one of the tallest local hills. His gleaming presence is visible all around the valley. Standing next to him can be a bit imposing. But the beauty and serenity are also very inviting and captivating.
This is gorgeous. Even the best photos don’t do him justice. He literally glows in the warm sunlight of Dalat. This radiance intensifies grandeur of this golden Buddha.
Van Hanh Zen Monastery
The golden Buddha is part of Van Hanh Zen Monastery. The monastery is not as large as nearby Truc Lam Monastery but it is overflowing with beautiful Buddhist art. The monastery is also an active religious center. It is home to about 100 monks and 80 nuns, who you’ll see all around.
Van Hanh Zen Monastery has a large main temple, several other altars, and some very pretty grounds with a nice view of the countryside.
The main temple is very unique. It’s filled with a colorful nine-headed dragon. The serpentine bodies slither their way up walls and spiral around pillars. 8 dragonheads emerge at different spots. The 9th head takes center stage in the main altar. The Buddha has tamed the dragon and peacefully sits on its head.
Another key building houses 2 large reclining Buddhas and many other beautiful wood carvings.
When and How to Visit Dalat’s Golden Buddha
The best time to visit is during the late morning to afternoon. Avoid sunrise or sunset. You want to see the golden Buddha glimmer in the bright sunlight.
Van Hanh Monastery and the gold Buddha are an easy ride from the city center, about 10 minutes. A round trip taxi from Dalat should be less than $10 USD. You could also add this as a stop to a tour.
With so many great attractions and activities around Dalat, many tours don’t include this stop. With its proximity to Dalat center, you can easily add this to almost any itinerary.
Don’t miss the giant golden structure when you’re in Dalat. Even a quick visit will be rewarding. How often do you get a chance to see an 80 feet tall gold Buddha?
Louiela
Posted at 23:37h, 02 DecemberIt reminds me of my visit to Dambulla Cave and Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka. Buddha of Dalat is a must-see in Vietnam, I will definitely add it to my places to see if given a chance to explore the country. You’ve captured stunning images of the Buddha, but since you are telling those photos don’t do justice at all, I am excited to see it by myself.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 23:48h, 02 DecemberHello Louiela. Thanks for your kind words. The Golden Buddha is awesome. We hope you get a chance to see it for yourself.
Elena
Posted at 04:35h, 03 DecemberThat statue looks stunning and I love the colors of the monastery. Although I must admit, that altar statue of Buddha is pretty weird looking, I’ve never seen a young Buddha before. By the way, congrats for the lovely pics!
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 04:50h, 03 DecemberHello Elena. Thank you. The Vietnamese have their own spin on Buddhism and that can lead to very unpredictable altars, we’ve found like this one.
Gareth
Posted at 11:45h, 03 DecemberI have actually visited the Buddha in Dalat and can totally agree that it is impossible to truly capture the statue with photos (although you did a great job of trying). And as you stated in your previous comment, the Buddhas in Vietnam do certainly have their own unique aesthetic and one that is different from any other I have seen throughout Asia. Anyway, as always, a great post
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 11:55h, 03 DecemberHi Gareth. Thank you for the compliment. It is very interesting to visit all of the different Buddhas in Vietnam. We learn so much at each location.
Gypsy soul
Posted at 03:12h, 04 DecemberThat Buddha does look big. I like how this temple looks from outside. I have never been to India
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 03:15h, 04 DecemberHi. Yes, the Golden Buddha is HUGE! The temple is nice both outside and in. We have never been to India either but it’s definitely on our list. π
Carla Abanes
Posted at 03:22h, 04 DecemberSo that’s where it is! I’ve seen this photo so many times and have wondered where exactly it was. The lying budha is a popular shot too. I would love to visit Dalat and the whole of Vietnam soon too!
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 03:30h, 04 DecemberHi Carla. Yes, this Golden Buddha is quite the sight! The lying Buddha is also very popular. You would absolutely love Vietnam. Hope you will get to visit soon. π
Lauren West
Posted at 10:25h, 04 DecemberWe’ve seen a few big buddhas in our travels, but I don’t think we’ve seen any 80 foot tall ones! That’s really cool that you can see the statue from far away. It must be very shiny on a sunny day!
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 10:30h, 04 DecemberHi Lauren. Yes, this is the biggest Buddha we’ve seen so far! The Golden Buddha is definitely a sight to see.
Katie
Posted at 12:00h, 04 DecemberThe Golden Buddha looks amazing. We missed it on our trip to Vietnam but Dalat is on my list for our next trip here. Thanks for sharing!
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 12:15h, 04 DecemberHi Katie. The Golden Buddha was quite impressive. Yes, make sure that you add Dalat to the list when you come back to Vietnam. You will LOVE it! π
Nadine Rohner
Posted at 20:18h, 04 DecemberWow 80 feet is definitly huge. It is on my bucket list to go see the buddah there, so fare I’ve only seen the one in Thailand which was big too π great articel
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 20:26h, 04 DecemberHi Nadine. Yes, the Golden Buddha was quite large! We haven’t been to Thailand yet but it’s definitely on our list. Hope you make it to Dalat, Vietnam someday soon.
Iza Abao, Two Monkeys Travel Group Writer
Posted at 20:55h, 04 DecemberThe temple looks so serene. Are there people who volunteer and help to make this place even better? Everything in the temple is a work of art. I love your pictures too. It must be quite difficult to take a photo of the golden Buddha.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 20:55h, 04 DecemberHi Iza. There’s also a garden surrounding the impressive Golden Buddha with colorful statues. It’s definitely a peaceful and serene setting. The monks take really good care of this temple and I think they also have volunteers that help but I’m not completely certain about that.
neha
Posted at 21:19h, 04 DecemberI had never seen such glorious Buddha idol before. I would love to visit here in person. Thanks for the post.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 21:25h, 04 DecemberHi Neha. The pictures definitely do not do the Glorious Buddha justice! Hopefully, you will get the chance to visit in person sometime in the near future. π
Ticker Eats The World
Posted at 01:57h, 05 DecemberIt’s quite interesting that the “big” Buddhas around the world have become such huge tourist attractions in addition to obviously being religious ones. For me personally, although I don’t follow Buddhism, I have enjoyed look at any sculpture of Buddha because I have found his facial features to truly bring calmness in me. Hope to visit whenever I am in Vietnam.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 02:21h, 05 DecemberHi. You’re absolutely right. Every Buddha statue that we have come across had brought calmness and joy to us as well! We love visiting these sites. We hope you get to visit Dalat sometime in the near future. π
Julianna
Posted at 03:17h, 05 DecemberThat statue looks incredible, so peaceful and lustrous. I’ve been to Vietnam, but not to Dalat. Very sorry I didn’t go now. Thank you for sharing.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 03:27h, 05 DecemberHi Julianna. Oh sorry to hear that you didn’t make it to Dalat. Well, that’s a great reason to come back to Vietnam! π
Allison
Posted at 17:05h, 05 DecemberWow that Buddha is huge! I’m heading to Vietnam in May. I’m not sure what cities Im going to yet but if so make it to Dalay I’ll stop by ?
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 17:08h, 05 DecemberHello Allison. Thank you. Have fun in Vietnam. It is a surprisingly big country with so many beautiful and exciting sites.
Tatum Skipper
Posted at 20:00h, 05 DecemberMy friend and I were just talking yesterday about planning a trip to Vietnam!! This is absolutely stunning and can’t wait to visit! I know the feeling when you want people to feel the sheer beauty of something like this but can’t capture it in pictures! Great job.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 20:05h, 05 DecemberHello Tatum. Vietnam is a great country to visit. The food is amazing. The prices are cheap, The people are friendly. The scenery is breathtaking. And the culture is rich mix of modern and ancient.
FS
Posted at 12:12h, 06 DecemberWow I have never seen Buddha in golden color. The statue looks great. Thanks a lot for sharing.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 12:15h, 06 DecemberHello FS. Thank you for commenting. Looking at the this Buddha in the glaring sun is quite an experience.
Ami
Posted at 00:55h, 07 DecemberQuite stunning. More than the largest Buddha, I loved the one with the dragon heads over it. There is so much detail there and your description of the same made it even more interesting.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 01:03h, 07 DecemberHello Ami. The smaller buddha inside the altar is vey interesting. His face is so serene in the midst of all those dragons.