Sam Mountain, located in Chau Doc, is a prominent spiritual and cultural landmark in the Mekong Delta. Known for its stunning views and religious significance, the mountain is home to several important temples and pagodas, including the famous Ba Chua Xu Temple and Tay An Pagoda.
The significance of Sam Mountain
Sam Mountain possesses an exceptional religious significance. It is the largest pilgrimage site in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. Ba Chua Xu’s Temple honors the holy mother Ba Chua Xu, believed to protect the local community. Tay An Pagoda on Sam Mountain is nevertheless another key spiritual site, deeply connected to the Buu Son Ky Huong sect, a religious movement blending of Buddhism and Confucianism.
The diversity of traditions allows Sam Mountain to offer a unique mix of spiritual, cultural, and architectural allure. The temples, pagodas, and shrines feature intricate carvings, colorful murals, and statues showcase the blend of Vietnamese and Khmer arts. Tay An Pagoda in particular showcases a collection of few hundreds of Buddha and deity statues while the artefact display at Thoai Ngoc Hau’s tomb reveals an perspective of the lifestyle of the mandarins in the early 19th century.
Apart from the temples, visitors can hike or take a cable car to the summit for breathtaking views of the Mekong Delta, rice fields, and surrounding landscapes. On clear days, the panoramic vistas extend for miles, making it a perfect spot for photography.
The Holy Mother of Sam Mountain
She is believed to grant blessings ot local folks with wealth, health, fertility, domestic harmony, scholastic success, and divination of the future. Pilgrims pray and obtain a “loan” from her which is said to ensure a business success. One is then required to repay the loan by return offerings. Those who fail to return her favor may end up in regrets.
Historical significance of Sam Mountain
The name “Sam” in Sam Mountain is often believed to refer to the shape of the mountain, or more precisely, the hill itself, which is said to resemble a horseshoe crab when viewed from afar or from above.
In 1757, the Vietnamese court established its sovereignty over the region, with significant developments following. In 1808, under King Gia Long, the border province was officially created, with Chau Doc as its capital. A major milestone came in 1819 when Governor Thoai Ngoc Hau oversaw the construction of the Vinh Te Canal, an ambitious engineering project to improve irrigation and transport. The canal’s route begins at Sam Mountain, marking the start of this crucial infrastructure that connected the region and supported its growth.
Attractions in Sam Mountain
Sam Mountain is a 228m high rock hill is located at 6km southwest of Chau Doc. The hill has a cluster of 3 temples at its base and 1 on its slope.
- Tay An Pagoda, a peculiar architectural mixture of Taoist, Hindu and Islamic elements.
- Temple of Ba Chua Xu, the epithet of the patron goddess of the land commonly believed to be most powerful the.
- Tomb for Thoai Ngoc Hau, a high–ranking mandarin of the 19th century credited for massive irrigation works.
- On the hill slope, Chua Hang or Cave Pagoda was built at the entrance of a shallow natural tunnel that worms around in below the rock surface.
Beside the temples, the hilltop offers an superb view of the surrounding rice fields and the imposing Cam Mountain.
Visit information for Sam Mountain
- You must buy entrance ticket to access the mountain and all attractions attached to it including Tay An Pagoda, Ba Chua Xu Temple, Thoai Ngoc Hau’s Tomb, Cave Pagoda and the top of Sam Mountain. On the main road from town when coming near the mountain, you will see a signboard showing to the ticket box. Buy the ticket to access the complex and keep it throughout your visit. There are several checkpoints around the mountain where you need to show the ticket.
- There are lots of local tourists, pilgrims and vendors solicitating purchases. Keep eyes on personal stuffs.
- Pedestrian hours: 08:00-10:45; 13:30-16:30 and 18:00-22:00. Pay parking at local houses around Buu Dien Nui Sam (Post Office).
- Annual memorial days:
- Ba Chua Xu: 23-25/4 lunar calendar.
- Phat Thay Tay An: 12/8 lunar calendar.
- Entrance fee:
- Entrance fee: 20,000đ/person.
- Valid for visitors arriving by car or van or bus. Valid for adults only.
- Free entry for passengers, bicycle and motorcycle riders.
Entrance fee may increase without prior notice in holidays, festive days, or memorial days.
Contact
Sam Mountain Complex
Location: Nui Sam, Chau Doc City, An Giang Province
Coordinates: 10.673688, 105.083262
History & Culture; Religions & Beliefs; Nature & Landscape
Email: bqlkdtnuisam@gmail.com
Phone: +84-969536584, or +84-296-3861666
