Trúc Lâm Tịnh Xá Vũng Tàu is a spiritual destination well worth visiting for those seeking serenity and a distinctive cultural experience in Vũng Tàu. Located at 546 Trần Phú Street, at the foot of Núi Lớn (Big Mountain) with a favorable “backed by mountains, facing the water” geomantic setting, the monastery is not only a peaceful place for Buddhist practice but also one of the rare sites in the coastal city that continues to preserve the traditional craft of hand-casting Buddha statues.
The “Dragon-Guarded” Architecture in a Lush Setting
From the very first glance at the gray-stone Tam Quan (triple-arched gate), Trúc Lâm Tịnh Xá impresses visitors with its Dharma Wheel and solemn pink lotus motifs. Stepping inside, the space opens into a calm, green sanctuary shaded by frangipani trees and fruit trees, offering an immediate sense of lightness and inner peace.
The most striking architectural highlight is the red-brick staircase flanked by a pair of golden dragons winding upward toward a majestic multi-tiered stupa. This “dragon-guarded” imagery is not only visually powerful but also spiritually symbolic, representing protection and reverence at the entrance to the Buddhist realm.
A Pioneering Monastery in Buddha Statue Casting
What truly sets Trúc Lâm Tịnh Xá apart is its long-standing tradition of casting Buddha statues by hand. The monastery is regarded as the first in Vũng Tàu to create Buddha statues on site and remains one of the few places that also restores and repairs damaged or weathered statues, returning them to their original dignity.
From this monastery, hundreds of thousands of Buddha statues have been created and respectfully enshrined in temples and Buddhist households across many regions. For many devotees, Trúc Lâm Tịnh Xá is not only a place of worship but also the birthplace of sacred Buddha images that carry enduring spiritual value through time.
Experiencing Merit-Making in Every Statue
A visit to Trúc Lâm Tịnh Xá offers more than sightseeing. Visitors can observe the meticulous, hands-on process of traditional Buddha statue casting—from mixing materials and pouring molds to sealing and performing the distinctive rotating techniques that shape each statue.
Once the molds are removed, the statues are sun-dried in the courtyard, then carefully refined, smoothed, and painted. On certain occasions, visitors and devotees may even take part in small stages of the process, contributing their own merit to the creation of the statues.
The sight of rows of pristine white statues neatly arranged under the sunlight in the temple courtyard creates a scene that is both simple and deeply sacred—an image that leaves a lasting impression on first-time visitors.
Notes for Visitors
As Trúc Lâm Tịnh Xá is both a place of Buddhist practice and a statue-casting workshop, visitors are kindly asked to observe a few guidelines:
- Dress code: Wear modest, respectful clothing when visiting and paying homage
- Quiet atmosphere: Maintain silence and minimize noise, especially around the casting area and drying courtyard
- Best time to visit: Morning hours offer fresh air and the best opportunity to observe the full statue-making process
Amid the lively rhythm of the seaside city, Trúc Lâm Tịnh Xá offers a rare moment of stillness—a place to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the quiet dedication of those who continue to preserve the traditional craft of hand-casting Buddha statues in the heart of Vũng Tàu.
