Even after it was opened to the public in 1994 and attracted of numerous visitors from around the world since then, the Truc Lam Monastery a little outside Da Lat continues to be a haven for peace and tranquil. The monastery stands in an open poetic natural environment at the mountain side to Phoenix Summit (locally called Phuong Hoang). It is graciously surrounded by whispering pines and overlooks the mystical Tuyen Lam Lake.
 
The monastery was founded by Buddhist monk Thich Thanh Tu to bring new life to the Truc Lam Yen Tu Chan sect, a uniquely Vietnamese form of Chan established during the Tran dynasty (1225-1400).  The Chan tradition in VietNam was introduced by Emperor Tran Nhan Tong after he led Vietnamese troops in defeating China's Mongol-Yuan forces. He then abdicated the throne in favor of his son Tran Anh Tong to fulfill his desire of becoming a Buddhist monk. From there, he incorporated the three sects of Chan that had come to Vietnam from China into a new Vietnamese tradition, now known as Truc Lam. He then later retreated to Yen Tu Mountain to begin his religious life.
 
Researches reveal that Chan was originally founded by Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma in China. The practice helps people to live in full awareness while putting their minds into a peaceful state. Truc Lam Buddhist Chan emphasizes interior concentration. This introspective training process leads to personal purification and helps one's good nature to surface. Up to present, visitors can witness monks meditating in the monastery three times a day at 2 hours each time, beginning from 3am.
 
Truc Lam Monastery was designed by architects Vu Xuan Hung and Tran Duc Loc, in coordination with Ngo Viet Thu who designed the Re-unification Palace in HCM City. Later the Designing and Planning Department of Da Lat revised the design for the internal sections. Its construction began on April 8th the Lunar Rooster Year (1993), with the consistent help of monks, nuns, Buddhists at home and abroad. It was completed and solemnly inaugurated on February 08th the Lunar Dog Year (1994).
 
The monastery sits on a 24 hectare monastic ground in the country. Two hectares are occupied by buildings divided into domestic and public areas. The domestic area is designated for monks and nuns where 50 monks and 50 nuns reside. This part of the property is not open to the public.
 
The public quarters consist of a ceremonial hall, flanked by the bell tower on one side and guest facilities on the other. If one comes close to the bell tower, a poem by King Tran Nhan Tong is noticeable on the bronze bell. Inside the main hall which is in the middle of the monastery, golden statues stand beautifully. The most admired is the 2-meter tall figure of Gautama Buddha seated on a lotus and raising a lotus in his hand. The statue is interpreted by many as a symbolic image of Buddha, expressing the philosophy of "existence in nihilism".
 
There is an adjacent hall which is utilized only on the 14th and 29th day of each lunar month. This is when the abbot holds a session on meditation with students, including lay Buddhists. The monastery sometimes welcomes thousands of Buddhists monks and nuns. There is also a big flower garden where guests can walk quietly and admire the well-kept flowers from around the world. Boat tours to Lam Tuyen Lake are also offered to tourists who have finished their visit to the monastery.
 
With its vast area and structure size, it is said to be the biggest monastery in Da Lat. There are several ways for visitors to reach Truc Lam Yen Tu monastery. They can take the direct entrance to the monastery going up 61 steps from the road next to the hill next to the monastery. Alternatively, they can go directly past Tuyen Lam Lake and hike over than 200 stone steps through a triple-gated entrance to enter the main courtyard. It can also be reached by a 2.3km cable ride from Robin Hill overlooking Da Lat.