This mountain in Vietnam’s Tay Ninh Province]] has been an important religious site for centuries, and most visitors are Vietnamese pilgrims. It boasts cave temples and a network of hiking trails.
Nui Ba Den translates as ‘Black Lady Mountain’, a reference to an old legend. According to the myth, a local woman was courted by two men: one was her true love and the other a man of means. Following her heart put her in bad standing with powerful people, and in the end she had to throw herself from a cliff here on the mountain. A monk later saw the Black Lady in a vision and built a shrine in her honor.
A cable car whisks visitors to the summit where the air is fresh and cool. For a thrill, ride the cable car to the top and then return on the high-octane toboggan run. Gardens are situated at the base of the mountain along with a few amusement park rides and games. There’s a lake with paddle boats available for hire. An over-the-top tram shuttles passengers through the gardens.
It is also possible to hike up Nui Ba Den. A return trip to the temple takes 1 hour, 30 minutes and is relatively easy. A return trip to the actual summit takes around six hours and is well-suited for anyone in moderate shape.
Getting There & Away
Since international tourists don’t generslly frequent Nui Ba Den, there are no direct public transport links. Tay Ninh is the gateway city and can be reached by bus from Ho Chi Minh City (which is home to the closest international airport) in less than two hours. From here you will either have to hire a taxi or rent your own vehicle. Motorcycle taxis regularly take cart pilgrims to and from the base of the mountain.