Space of soul escaping bustling life

Once visiting the central coast city of Nha Trang, aside from the beach and the Cham towers and Nha Trang Bay with its many splendid islands and islets for relaxing and discovering nature, tourists should stop at Long Son Pagoda in the west of the city.
The Pagoda was first built on Mount Trai Thuy in 1886 and named Dang Long Pagoda. In 1900, the pagoda was damaged in a storm and was rebuilt down the mountain at its present location.
The pagoda makes an impression on visitors right at the entrance. The ceilings are decorated with mosaic dragons constructed of glass and bits of ceramic tile. The pagoda has two tiled roofs heaped up together with has relief depicting stories of Buddha.
The main sanctuary is an attractive hall adorned with modern interpretations of traditional motifs. Note the ferocious nose hairs on the colorful dragons wrapped around the wooden pillars on either side of the main altar. Parallel sentences and teachings Buddha are carved on the pillars.
Even with the noise of the near-by bustling street, the pagoda keeps a quiet ambiance by a barrier of surrounding seasoned green trees.
At the top of the hill, behind the pagoda, is a huge white Buddha (Kim Than Phat To) seated on a lotus blossom and visible from all over the city. The platform around the 24 meter high figure, which was built in 1963, is surrounded by images of seven martyrs who died while fighting the Diem government.
Standing at the statue, visitors will catch great views of Nha Trang and nearby rural areas as a colorful painting depicting lively images of lines of vehicles on streets, multicolor houses and crowds bustling.
To approach the pagoda from the street, the 150 stone steps up the hill to the Buddha begins to the right of the structure. Once trekking the mountain, tourists should visit Hai Duc Pagoda on the top and Buu Phong Pagoda on the south face of the mountain; both were built in Asian architectural style.
Following the stone steps, visitors will see pentagonal bells made in Chinese style of the Minh Dynasty with elegant and meticulous patterns.
Nha Trang is one of the most important tourist hubs of the country thanks to its beautiful beaches with fine, clean sand and clear ocean water with mild temperatures all year round.
Lying off Nha Trang is Hon Tre Island (Bamboo Island) and Hon Tam Island where tourists can see fascinating landscapes and raw Vietnamese culture in houses that are hundreds of years old.
Island hopping, scuba diving, squid fishing, sail boating, yachting and other sporting activities can be enjoyed in or from the city. Good local cuisine is also on hand.