300,000 pilgrims at Ba Den Mountain: Vietnam’s spring festival becomes a human masterpiece

They came by the thousands, then by the tens of thousands, streaming toward the sacred peak of Ba Den Mountain. By the afternoon of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year—February 20, 2026—the foot of the mountain had transformed into a living canvas. From above, the scene resembled an abstract painting, its brushstrokes formed by families, friends, and pilgrims who had gathered to pray for good fortune at the most revered spiritual site in southern Vietnam.

The official count, released by the Tay Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, placed attendance at approximately 300,000 people for the opening ceremony alone—a record that surpassed even the busiest years of the past decade. For photographer Nguyen Minh Tu, who has documented the Ba Den Spring Festival since 2023, this year’s pilgrimage was unlike anything he had witnessed.

The sacred mountain awakens

Ba Den Mountain—at 986 metres the highest peak in southern Vietnam—is not merely a tourist destination. It is the earthly abode of Linh Son Thanh Mau (Holy Mother of Linh Son Mountain), a deity deeply woven into the spiritual fabric of the south. According to local belief, the Holy Mother protects, heals, and bestows blessings upon those who climb the mountain with a pure heart. Every spring, during the festival that runs from the 4th to the 16th day of the first lunar month, hundreds of thousands arrive to seek her favour.

This year, the atmosphere was electric by mid-afternoon. Roads leading to the spiritual tourism complex were gridlocked with vehicles, forcing organisers to implement traffic diversions and parking regulations. From 5:00 PM onward, visitors fanned out across the sprawling square near the cable car station, claiming vantage points to watch the opening ceremony’s artistic performances.

A sea of tents, lanterns, and hope

What made the 2026 festival extraordinary was not merely the numbers, but the way the crowds arranged themselves. Families came prepared: tarpaulins, camping mats, portable lamps, and tents dotted the landscape, creating a vast, temporary city at the mountain’s base. Children played while elders prepared offerings. Groups of friends shared meals as dusk settled and thousands of lanterns began to flicker.

Photographer Minh Tu, capturing the scene from above, noted the striking contrast between the immense scale of the pilgrimage and the intimate, human moments unfolding within it. His aerial images—which amassed over one million views on social media within 24 hours—reveal a landscape where spirituality and festivity merge.

Tradition in the modern age

The festival is a living expression of Vietnamese folk religion. Devotees believe that receiving blessings from Linh Son Thanh Mau at the start of the year ensures peace, prosperity, and protection. This deep-rooted faith, combined with the natural drama of the mountain itself, draws not only locals but a growing number of international visitors eager to witness Vietnam’s unique spiritual heritage.

Despite the overwhelming crowds, organisers managed logistics with notable efficiency. Portable toilets were installed throughout the area, and waste collection teams worked continuously to maintain cleanliness. Minh Tu observed that visitors, too, were remarkably conscientious—avoiding noise, respecting shared space, and leaving the site in good condition.

The photographer’s perspective

Minh Tu, who has made the journey annually since 2023, described this year’s pilgrimage as uniquely powerful. “In previous years, the crowds were large, but this time the density was extraordinary. From above, you could see the patterns—families grouped together, lanes forming between clusters, lights appearing as dusk fell. It was like watching a living painting take shape.”

His images capture both the epic scale and the quiet details: a grandmother adjusting her grandchild’s jacket, a young couple lighting incense, a group of monks in saffron robes moving through the throng. These moments, set against the backdrop of the mountain and the sea of humanity, have resonated deeply with viewers across Vietnam and beyond.

More than a festival: a cultural touchstone

The Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival is part of a constellation of lunar new year pilgrimages that define Vietnam’s spiritual calendar. In the north, thousands climb the Perfume Pagoda; in the central region, they flock to the Marble Mountains. But in the south, Ba Den holds a special place—a convergence of legend, landscape, and communal faith that has only grown in significance over the years.

For the people of Tay Ninh and the wider Mekong region, the pilgrimage is not merely a tradition but a reaffirmation of identity. It is a time to honour ancestors, seek blessings for the year ahead, and share in the collective hope that defines the Vietnamese spring.

Practical information for future pilgrims

The festival continues until the 16th day of the first lunar month (4 March 2026), offering ample opportunity for those who wish to experience it. The cable car system, one of the longest in Vietnam, provides a spectacular ascent, with views over the plains of Tay Ninh and, on clear days, the distant border with Cambodia. For those who prefer a more traditional approach, a stone staircase winds up the mountainside, passing smaller shrines and meditation niches along the way.

Visitors should plan for large crowds, especially on weekends and holidays. Arriving early in the day or staying overnight in one of the nearby hotels can help avoid the worst congestion. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and sufficient water are essential, as the tropical sun can be intense even in February.

The pilgrimage continues

As the sun set on the fourth day of the new year, the thousands gathered at Ba Den Mountain settled in for the night. Tents glowed from within, lanterns swayed in the evening breeze, and the murmur of voices—prayers, conversations, laughter—rose toward the darkened peak. Above them all, unseen but deeply felt, Linh Son Thanh Mau watched over her children, receiving their hopes and sending her blessings into the year of the Horse.

For those who witnessed it, the 2026 spring festival will remain unforgettable—not only for its staggering scale, but for the quiet faith that moved through every corner of that vast, human sea. In a world that often feels fragmented, here was a reminder of what binds us together: the hope for a better year, the comfort of tradition, and the power of a shared ascent.