1. Origin and meaning of the lantern offering ceremony at Ba Den Mountain

Origin and meaning of the Ba Den Mountain lantern offering ceremony (Photo: collected)

The Ba Den Mountain lantern offering ceremony is a sacred ritual in Buddhist culture. More than just a ritual, offering lanterns is a connection between people and their spiritual roots, expressing gratitude and a desire for peace through each lit candle.

Ba Den Mountain, at an altitude of 986 meters, is a sacred symbol of the Tay Ninh region. In the flow of local culture, people often go up the mountain for pilgrimage, offering lanterns at special times of the year to convey their wishes: family peace, favorable weather, and prosperous livelihoods. The lit lanterns symbolize not only a guiding light but also silent, simple, yet heartfelt prayers.

In Buddhist culture, each ritual is an occasion for people to return to themselves, listen, empathize, and cast aside daily worries. The lantern offering ceremony is also a way for future generations to preserve and continue the source of folk culture in the sacred space of the Southern mountain peak.

2. When is the Ba Den Mountain lantern offering ceremony usually held?

 When is the Lantern Offering Ceremony at Ba Den Mountain usually held? (Photo: collected)

Lantern Offering Ceremony at Ba Den Mountain  is one of the rare spiritual rituals held weekly, creating a bridge connecting the human soul with the sacred place. The Lantern Offering Ceremony is held every Saturday evening in the summit area of Ba Den Mountain, starting from 17:30 and ending around 20:00. This time is chosen so that the lanterns and candles can shine clearly in the night, creating a mystical atmosphere amidst the clouds and sky of Tay Ninh.

On major holidays such as the 15th day of the first lunar month, Buddha's Birthday (15/4 lunar), or Ullambana Festival (15/7 lunar), the lantern offering ceremony is held on a large scale. Thousands of tourists and Buddhists gather, and tens of thousands of lanterns are lit simultaneously, turning the mountain peak into a spiritual sea of light amidst the quiet night sky.

3. Rituals and how to participate in the lantern offering ceremony

Rituals and how to participate in the lantern offering ceremony (Photo: collected)

3.1 Preparation before attending

Thorough preparation before the pilgrimage is an important first step for a complete experience in the Ba Den Mountain lantern offering ceremony. Attendees often choose modest, polite attire such as traditional ao dai or subtly colored clothing to suit the sacred atmosphere of the ceremony. Light colors like white, pale yellow, or soft pink are often preferred as they evoke a sense of solemnity and peace.

As the ceremony takes place on the mountaintop in the evening, visitors should prepare a thin scarf or light jacket to keep warm when the mist descends. Additionally, phones should be fully charged, and if possible, bring a power bank so you can capture the magical moments of the ceremony without interruption.

But most importantly, participants should prepare a solemn and pure state of mind. Many choose to eat lightly on the day or spend quiet time before departing as a way to purify body and soul. Some visitors share that they often carefully contemplate what they wish to pray for, so that when writing their wishes on the lantern, each word comes from a sincere heart.

3.2 Procedure for the lantern offering ceremony

The Ba Den Mountain lantern offering ceremony usually begins at 5:30 PM with the ritual of receiving and writing prayers on the lanterns. The organizing committee will guide visitors to queue orderly to receive free lanterns, which are small, elaborately prepared paper lanterns, each containing a candle and a blank piece of paper.

Immediately after receiving the lanterns, everyone will find a quiet spot to write their prayers. Some quickly write a wish for loved ones, for health, for smooth work. Others write slowly, carefully choosing each word as if conversing with the divine. In the cool breeze and chilly air on the mountaintop, that moment becomes both private and sacred.

After writing and assembling the lanterns by hand, visitors will move to the large square at the foot of the Tây Bổ Đà Sơn Buddha statue, sitting in rows as guided by the organizing committee. The climax of the ceremony is when all eyes turn towards the signal from the organizers. A moment of silence, then suddenly, thousands of lanterns are lit simultaneously. The small but warm, light but profound flames spread into a sea of light covering the mountaintop. At that moment, everyone falls silent, no one needing to be told, to admire and cherish that sacred moment in their hearts.

The entire ceremony usually lasts about 1 hour, enough to ignite faith, enough for pilgrims to fully appreciate the value of the ceremony – both introspective and spiritually connecting with heaven and earth.

4. Venue for the Ba Den Mountain lantern offering ceremony

 Location of the lantern offering ceremony at Ba Den Mountain (Photo: collected)

The sacred space where the lantern offering ceremony takes place is the large square at the foot of the statue of Lady Buddha Tay Bo Da So, located on the summit of Ba Den Mountain – the highest mountain in the South, belonging to Thanh Tan commune, Tay Ninh city. This is the central area within the spiritual complex of Ba Den Mountain, a convergence point for important rituals and pilgrims from all regions.

The summit location was chosen for the ceremony due to the convergence of many favorable factors: convergence of spiritual energy, a spacious and airy environment, a panoramic view stretching to Dau Tieng Lake and the vast rice fields of the Southeast region. As night falls, the light from thousands of lanterns makes the scene here magical – both sacred and intimate.

5. Spiritual experience when participating in the lantern offering ceremony at Ba Den Mountain

Spiritual experience during the Ba Den Mountain lantern offering ceremony (Photo: collected)

5.1 Sacred atmosphere during the lantern offering ceremony

As night falls on the summit of Ba Den Mountain, the atmosphere of the lantern offering ceremony becomes serene and sacred, as if separated from the bustling world below. From the moment you step onto the square, visitors can feel a special energy – a place where all worries seem to slow down, making way for the settling of the soul.

The sound of bells and prayers echoes in the tranquil space. The cool night mountain breeze carries a faint scent of incense, soothing the soul. In the evening, the temperature on the summit usually ranges from 18–22°C, providing a pleasantly cool feeling, especially on days with large crowds.

Under the warm golden light from the magnificent spiritual structures, each face following the lantern light reflects reverence. What moves many people is the feeling of merging into a spiritual community, regardless of age, profession, or region. Each person comes here with their own wish, but when they collectively direct their hearts towards goodness, a flow of positive energy spreads subtly yet profoundly.

Many visitors share that after attending the ceremony, they feel their souls are cleansed not by binding religious rituals, but by a natural experience amidst nature, lanterns, and sincerity.

5.2 Lighting thousands of lanterns

The climax of the lantern offering ceremony often comes in silence, as the signal bell rings from the main officiant. In that moment, each person gently lights their lantern, until the entire space on the mountaintop glows like an awakened galaxy.

Each lantern carries its own wish, but when they shine together, they become a common symbol of faith, hope, and spiritual revival amidst modern, turbulent life.

From an altitude of nearly 1000 meters above sea level, one standing on the summit can gaze down at Tay Ninh city and the surrounding areas. The distant twinkling urban lights seem to converse with the brilliant festival lights on the peak. Between these contrasts – artificial and spiritual, urban and mountainous – one finds a gentle balance for oneself.

And in that moment of sacred light spreading, some people quietly close their eyes, not asking for anything specific – just to feel the rare peace in life.

6. Directions to Ba Den Mountain to attend the ceremony

Guide to traveling to Ba Den Mountain for the ceremony (Photo: collected)

From Ho Chi Minh City, the journey to Ba Den Mountain is quite convenient, taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes by private car or coach. The most popular route is via the Ho Chi Minh City – Moc Bai Expressway, then turning onto National Highway 22 towards Cu Chi – Trang Bang – Tay Ninh. 

Coach companies such as Hue Nghia, Dong Phuoc, Thao Kim Ngan, Le Khanh… currently operate routes from Mien Tay Bus Station or Cho Lon Bus Station, with ticket prices ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 VND per trip, depending on whether it's a standard seat or limousine bus. Continuous departures throughout the day allow tourists to easily arrange their schedules.

For those traveling from other provinces, or after arriving in the center of Tay Ninh City, the distance from the city center to the foot of Ba Den Mountain is about 15km to the Northeast. Here, you can opt for a taxi or a ride-hailing motorbike service with prices ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 VND per trip. Additionally, some inter-provincial bus routes like route 70‑2 or the Cu Chi – Ba Den Mountain route are also economical options, with ticket prices around 10,000–15,000 VND/trip and a travel time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

To ascend to the mountaintop for the lantern offering ceremony on Saturday evening, visitors should arrive at the cable car station before 5:00 PM. The cable car of Sun World BaDen Mountain operates continuously from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM on days with ceremonies. The cable car route takes visitors from the foot of the mountain to the summit at an altitude of 986 meters in just about 10–15 minutes, saving energy and ensuring timely arrival. 

The round-trip ticket price for the Van Son cable car route is 400,000 VND for adults and 300,000 VND for children from 1m to under 1.4m in height. Additionally, the Chua Hang cable car route has a lower price, 250,000 VND/adult and 150,000 VND/child. If you wish to experience both routes, visitors can purchase a combo ticket for 600,000 VND/adult and 450,000 VND/child.

Right at the foot of the mountain, a spacious parking lot with large capacity is available, serving both motorbikes and cars. The current parking fee is 10,000 VND for motorbikes and 20,000 VND for cars per entry. To secure a convenient parking spot and avoid congestion during peak hours, especially on major ceremony nights like the Full Moon of the first lunar month or the Vu Lan Festival, visitors should arrive early to park, purchase cable car tickets, and have time to prepare mentally before entering the sacred space on the mountaintop.

7. Important notes when participating in the lantern offering ceremony

Important notes when participating in the lantern offering ceremony (Photo: collected)

As the ceremony takes place at night and on high terrain, visitors should prepare carefully to ensure a safe experience. Attire should be polite and modest; soft-soled or non-slip sports shoes are suitable for easy movement. At night, the temperature on the mountaintop ranges from 18–22°C, so bringing a light jacket will help keep you warm, especially during the dry season.

The ceremony space requires absolute solemnity. Visitors need to maintain order when queuing to receive the hoa dang (lanterns), speak softly, and avoid loud laughter to preserve the solemnity. 

Filming is permitted but requires adherence to certain regulations. Do not use flash during the ceremony, and do not climb on structures to take photos. Flying devices such as drones are prohibited for safety reasons. Visitors should fully charge their phones and bring power banks if they wish to capture all the shimmering moments on this spiritual mountaintop.

8. Combine with visiting other spiritual sites at Ba Den Mountain

Combine visiting other spiritual sites at Ba Den Mountain (Image: collected)

Besides the lantern offering ceremony, pilgrimages to Ba Den Mountain are also an opportunity to explore prominent spiritual sites stretching from the foot to the summit. Midway up the mountain, Ba Pagoda and Ba Temple are dedicated to Linh Son Holy Mother - a deity revered by the people as the embodiment of compassion. The pagoda is elaborately built, featuring a jade statue and a serene atmosphere amidst the clouds.

After the lantern offering ceremony on the summit, you should pay homage to the Maitreya Bodhisattva Statue – a magnificent Buddhist work, one of the world's largest sandstone structures. With a height of 36 meters and a width of 45 meters, the statue is assembled from 6,688 natural sandstone blocks inspired by terraced fields, depicting Maitreya sitting peacefully, with a benevolent face, wearing a necklace of Buddhist pearls, a complete symbol of wisdom, compassion, and joy. Standing before this statue, worldly worries seem to subside, making way for deep faith in karma and blessings.

Adjacent to the statue is Asia's tallest artificial waterfall, where the meditative water music show takes place – a unique highlight not to be missed during an evening exploration of Ba Mountain. Water cascades down from a height of 35m, spanning up to 90m wide, combined with solemn music and magical lighting, creating a mystical meditative scene where sound, water, and light merge into one. This is not just an artistic performance, but also a spiritual experience that helps the audience's minds settle, evoking deep feelings of purification.

For those who have sincerely offered lanterns, paying homage to the Maitreya statue and then enjoying the water music show is like a gentle response from the sacred realm, helping pilgrims conclude their journey with fulfillment and peace of mind.

9. Tips for photographing the magical lantern offering ceremony

Experience photographing the shimmering lantern offering ceremony (Photo: collected)

The Ba Den Mountain Lantern Offering Ceremony is a rare occasion to capture frames that are both mystical and deeply spiritual. However, as it takes place at night and in a crowded space, photography requires a bit of preparation and finesse. With a smartphone, it is advisable to use night mode or manual mode (Pro Mode) to adjust parameters such as ISO and exposure speed suitable for low light. This helps the photos avoid noise while maintaining sharpness and depth.

The most beautiful moment usually occurs about 10–15 minutes after all the lanterns have been lit. At this time, the light is stable, creating a uniform sea of lights against the dark night sky. If shooting from a high angle looking down, you will clearly see the spread of light like a continuous spiritual flow. However, when moving to find a shooting angle, be extremely careful not to bump into others or disrupt the ceremony.

When taking portraits, utilize the light from the lanterns as the main light source – the soft golden candlelight creates a warm reflection on the face, bringing a unique emotional depth. Modes like Live Photo or short video recording are also very suitable for capturing the movement of the flames, creating vivid memories that still photos struggle to convey.

Regardless of the device used for photography, the most important thing is to maintain a respectful attitude towards the ceremony space. Capture the moment with reverence and gentleness, always prioritizing your own experience and that of those around you.

The Ba Den Mountain Lantern Offering Ceremony offers a profound spiritual experience with a sacred and emotional atmosphere. Arrange your time to participate in this weekly ceremony to feel the peace and positive energy from thousands of prayer lights on the sacred mountain peak!