Long Son Pagoda

Originally, Long Son Pagoda is called Dang Long Tu (Dang Long Pagoda). It was erected in 1886 in another place under the supervision of the abbot named Thich Ngo Chi (1856-1935) who came from Vinh Xuong, Khanh Hoa. In 1900, after a devastating cyclone, the temple was terribly damaged and had to be moved to the nowadays location. In 1936, Long Son Pagoda was renamed and became the headquarters of the Buddhist Association in Khanh Hoa Province. It was renovated and expanded again in 1940 before being destroyed during Vietnam War in 1968. After that, attempts have been made to rebuild the construction, but the temple has not been fully restored until recently.

Long Son Pagoda nowadays is a complete and breathtaking complex of halls, buildings and gardens. It adjoins another pagoda named Hai Duc, where stands a large concrete statue of Gautama Buddha which has a height of 24 meters. This statue can be certainly seen from afar as one enters the city by either going on the National highway or taking the train.

The entrance and roofs of Long Son pagoda are built from glass and ceramic tiles with detailed decoration. Classical motifs of dragons are used thorough the whole complex, especially in the main ceremonial hall. Climbing 152 steps up from the entrance of Long Son Pagoda, one can get to the vantage point where the main statue is located and the city of Nha Trang becomes a picturesque painting.  

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