Ta Cu Mountain is a national reserve perfect for two different but related groups of people: the nature lovers and the Buddhists. With its fusion of pagodas, statues and plant and animal species all in one place, Ta Cu Mountain is a haven for peace and tranquility which both aspire.

Ta Cu Mountain is 694 meters big. It can be found in Thuan Nam Town, 29 kilometers from the southern part of  Phan Thiet. It is home to over 10 endangered species, such as the black-shanked duoc, a red-listed monkey. But what makes Ta Cu Mountain a tourist destination more than its national reserve is its religious complex composed of two pagodas, four enormous Buddhist statues, and other Buddhist creations which makes up two-thirds of the whole mountain.

Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda (Long Live Sacred Mountain), also known as Nui (Mountain) or Tren (Upper) Pagoda, is the primary structure in the area. It was built between 1870 and 1880 by Tran Huu Duc, a popular monk because of his proficiency in medicine and contributions to a number of pagodas across Binh Thuan Province. He also frequented the mountain to meditate in which such mountain was later preserved and expanded by his successors.

The said pagoda is designed with a Buddhist architecture which became famous between 1802-1945, during the reign of the Nguyen Dynasty.  As a tribute to its builder, it has a sanctum dedicated to Duc, who is considered to be the pagoda's Forefather. It also goes to follow then that the founder's grave is also built inside the complex, along with his successors'. In fact, the grave of a white tiger named Bach Ho said to be tamed by Duc is also placed in the pagoda.

Historical records show that the pagoda was named by Nguyen King Tu Duc (1847-1883) as a tribute to Duc who cured the former's mother, Tu Du, of a grave disease in 1880. When Duc died in 1887, his successors built the Long Doan Pagoda, located beside the Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda. It is known locally as Duoi (Lower) Pagoda.

A statue of a 49-meter long, seven-meter high reclining Buddha achieving Nirvana can also be found in the complex. The statue was said to be completely constructed in 1962. It was said to be built by a man named Truong Dinh Tri in 1958 with Buddhists across the southern region contributing to the project. The mystery in the said statue is that although it was said to be constructed manually, it couldn't be figured out how the materials, big, heavy and aplenty, were brought to the mountain.

Near the giant statue are three smaller statues: Amitabha Buddha, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta. They are only between 6.5-7 meters tall, puny compared to the huge Nirvana Buddha. There is also the Forefather's Cave which is believed to be where Duc practiced Buddhism. And aside from its religious significance is its adventure attraction with its 1-meter high steps and 100-meter bottom with an underground stream.

The cave is dark and narrow. It's a long and difficult trip wherein visitors can either ride a cable car to the top and climb 100 steps to reach the pagoda complex, or take a 1,000-step climb, 2.25-kilometer distance which could take about three hours.

The trip to the cave and Ta Cu Mountain itself is a long and difficult one indeed, a rollercoaster of smooth and treacherous stops all throughout. But with a series of lovely streams and breathtaking views along the way, it's no wonder nature lovers are a common visitor to the place, as well as anyone who knows how to appreciate and value peace and tranquility in their lives.