Symbol of Buddha, Longsan Temple

This is the oldest pagoda in Nha Trang city, over 130 years old, and since admission is free, it was a great course to stop by without any burden. From the giant dragon decorations at the entrance to the cute little garden, the distinctly Vietnamese Buddhist atmosphere is strong, so it's nice to stroll around slowly and take it all in. To see the giant Buddha statue at the top, which is the highlight of Long Son Pagoda, you have to climb about 150 steps, so I recommend wearing comfortable sneakers. About halfway up, you'll first come across a giant reclining Buddha statue, and there's a legend that if you touch the sole of the Buddha's foot and make a wish, it will come true. Just when you're starting to get a bit breathless, you'll reach the top, where a massive 24-meter-tall white seated Buddha statue greets you with an overwhelming presence — seeing it in person, the sheer size is truly incredible. The Buddha statue itself is impressive, but the sweeping view overlooking downtown Nha Trang from the top is also wonderful, and it completely washes away all the sweat from climbing up. Since this is a sacred temple, please be careful, as entry may be restricted for revealing clothing such as sleeveless tops, short shorts, or mini skirts. There are sometimes scammers around the temple grounds or on the stairs who try to force-sell incense or demand donations, so even if they approach you kindly, just firmly ignore them and walk past. Since there's almost no shade and you have to climb quite a lot of stairs, I recommend avoiding the hottest part of the day (12pm–3pm) and definitely bringing a parasol or some cool bottled water. It's located right near Nha Trang Lotte Mart, so if you visit Long Son Pagoda as the last stop of your tour and finish up with some shopping at the mart, it makes for a perfect route.