Ta Cu Mountain half-day tour: Cable car & pagoda visit

Ride the cable car up Ta Cu Mountain, then walk among Buddha statues at the pagoda

This private half-day tour of Ta Cu Mountain and Phan Thiet departs from your hotel at 8 a.m. or afternoon, with your own English-speaking guide and air-conditioned car for the 40-minute drive south. The itinerary includes the cable car ascent, the Linh Son Truong Tho pagoda at 475 metres with its 49-metre reclining Buddha statue, stops at Phan Thiet Harbor, the Cham Tower, Whale Temple and a local dragon fruit farm. The tour runs five hours total, with entrance fees and cable car included; mineral water is provided throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ta Cu Mountain and Phan Thiet Tour

• Hotel pickup at 8:00 a.m.
• Visit Cham Tower
• Explore Van Thuy Tu Temple (Whale Temple)
• See Phan Thiet Harbor and local life
• Travel to Ta Cu Mountain
• Take cable car up Ta Cu Mountain
• Visit Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda
• View Sakyamuni's nirvana statue
• Visit local dragon fruit farm
• Return to hotel

The Experience

The day starts with a pickup at your hotel before 8 a.m., then heads south toward Ta Cu Mountain, 35 kilometres away. On the way you'll stop at the Cham Tower, a 11th-century sacred site where three ancient towers overlook Phan Thiet city, and the Whale Temple, built in 1972 to honor whales that are central to local fishing culture — nearly 100 whale skeletons, some 22 metres long, are preserved inside. You'll also visit Phan Thiet Harbor to see the thousands of boats and watch how the fishing community works.

The main event is Ta Cu Mountain itself. Once you arrive, you board a modern cable car that carries you up the slope while the views open across the landscape. At the top sits the Linh Son Truong Tho pagoda, nestled at 475 metres among forest and mountain. The pagoda complex includes three entrance gates, a main hall, caves and a 49-metre-long reclining statue of Sakyamuni in nirvana positioned at the highest point — the scale of it becomes clear only when you stand in front of it. Your guide sets the pace for exploring the grounds and the Buddha statues.

On the return journey to your hotel, you stop at a local farmer's dragon fruit garden to see how the fruit grows. The entire tour takes five hours, and your driver handles all the transport while your English-speaking guide explains what you're seeing at each stop.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned car and English-speaking guide for the full five hours.
• cable car ticket up Ta Cu Mountain.
• entrance fees to the pagoda, Cham Tower and Whale Temple.
• mineral water provided during the tour.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Johnny Tours

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want to reach the mountain before midday heat and have the afternoon free; the afternoon option works better if you prefer a later start or want to see the pagoda as the light changes. Either way, having your own guide and driver means you move at your own pace through each stop instead of keeping to a group schedule.

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Top questions

What's the cable car ride like on Ta Cu Mountain?

The cable car is modern and carries you up the mountainside, giving views across the landscape as you ascend to the pagoda at 475 metres. The ride itself is part of the experience, not just a means to get there.

How far is Ta Cu Mountain from Phan Thiet, and how long does it take to get there?

Ta Cu Mountain is about 35 kilometres south of Phan Thiet, and the drive takes roughly 40 minutes in your private air-conditioned car.

What is the reclining Buddha statue at the pagoda?

The statue is a 49-metre-long representation of Sakyamuni in nirvana, positioned at the highest point of the pagoda complex. It's one of the main reasons visitors come to Ta Cu Mountain.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes — you can book either the morning tour starting at 8 a.m. or the afternoon option, depending on what fits your schedule. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel at the time you choose.

What other stops are included besides Ta Cu Mountain?

The tour includes the Cham Tower (an 11th-century sacred site), the Whale Temple with its collection of whale skeletons, Phan Thiet Harbor, and a stop at a local dragon fruit farm on the way back.

Is the cable car ticket included in the price?

Yes — cable car entry, all entrance fees, your private guide and driver, and mineral water throughout the day are all included. Only tips and personal expenses are separate.