Ba Den Mountain hosts record-breaking leaf market and special exhibition celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day

History Exhibition, Flag-Raising Ceremony, and Incense Offering to Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of National Day

At an altitude of 986m, Ba Den Mountain is not just a legendary sacred mountain. Here, every cave, every tree, every path tells a story of bravery, and the sacrifice of blood and bone of the generations of our ancestors. Here, the immortal epic is still sung heroically every day throughout the length of history.

Historical photos will be displayed at the exhibition on National Day. Photo: Management Board of Ba Den Mountain Tourist Area

Joining the nationwide atmosphere celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2nd), Sun World Ba Den Mountain Tourist Area organizes a unique exhibition titled “Ba Den Mountain – An eternal heroic epic”, starting from August 27, 2025. The exhibition is a recollection of Ba Den Mountain through historical milestones, with 5 areas: Ba Den Mountain before the Party; Ba Den Mountain with the Party; Ba Den Mountain during the French resistance war; Ba Den Mountain during the American resistance war; and Ba Den Mountain today – A pilgrimage land, a healing destination.

At the exhibition, visitors will admire historical photos and artifacts marking the glorious imprints of the mountain, which once served as the “ thần mắt” (divine eye) during the resistance wars against America and France. Here, the legendary sacred mountain will not only live in the memory of war but also be a symbol of resurgence with magnificent cultural tourism works, becoming a cultural destination of Vietnam and the world.

Flag raising ceremony celebrating the 80th National Day will take place on the morning of September 2nd. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

On September 2nd, a flag raising ceremony celebrating the 80th August Revolution and National Day September 2nd will be held on a large scale in the morning at the square on top of Ba Den Mountain. On the evening of September 2nd, the incense offering ceremony will be a sacred moment for visitors to honor history and remember the heroes who sacrificed for the homeland.

Largest Leaf Market in Vietnam to Operate Throughout September 2nd Holiday

With the desire to recreate the traditional cultural space characteristic of the South, nurture the beauty in the culinary life of Tay Ninh people, and create an experiential highlight during the nation's major holiday, Sun World Ba Den Mountain is organizing a Leaf Market of unprecedented scale, lasting for 4 days from August 30th to September 2nd. It is expected that the Vietnam Record Organization will award the record for “Largest Leaf Market on a Mountain Top in Vietnam” on August 30, 2025.

Record-breaking Leaf Market to be held on Ba Den Mountain peak for 4 days of the September 2nd holiday. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

The Leaf Market is designed on an impressive scale, with about over 30 stalls offering diverse local products. The entire market space is roofed and decorated with familiar natural materials such as tranh leaves, mangrove wood, me bo, etc., by the staff and employees of Sun World Ba Den Mountain, carrying the rustic and simple characteristics of old Southern Vietnamese countryside markets.

Here, visitors will be given bodhi leaves to use for shopping and to choose from rustic dishes along with specialties of Tay Ninh cuisine.

The Leaf Market is expected to attract about 15,000 visitors, serving as a space for tourists to visit, experience local products, participate in traditional activities with folk dances and many lively activities on the highest mountain peak in the South.

Each tourist taking the cable car up Ba Den Mountain will be given a bodhi leaf to go to the Leaf Market. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

As a special market born in Tay Ninh, the Leaf Market attracts tourists with its 'unique' shopping method: using leaves instead of money. This traditional market is held on the 15th day of the first lunar month annually in Hoa Thanh, Tay Ninh. At Ba Den Mountain, the Leaf Market is often a special activity during major holidays to preserve and promote local traditional cultural values.

Right on the evening of August 30, after the leaf market, a candle-offering ceremony will be held at the square at the foot of the Tay Bo Da Son Buddha statue, for tourists to join in turning towards the homeland in this sacred moment of history.

Attend the Vu Lan ceremony, listen to the sermon "A Mother's Heart"

This year's National Day also coincides with the Vu Lan season of filial piety – an important holiday in Buddhist culture. During this time, on the summit of Ba Den Mountain, many solemn and meaningful activities will be organized for Buddhists and tourists to practice the vow of gratitude and filial piety to their parents and to express respect to the souls of heroes and martyrs.

The Vu Lan Festival will be held on August 31 on Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain

On August 31, 2025 (corresponding to July 9 of the Lunar Calendar), the Vu Lan Festival will be solemnly organized by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on the summit of Ba Den Mountain with many meaningful activities such as: Recitation practice praying for national peace and prosperity; Flower pinning ceremony to express gratitude to parents, commemorate the deceased, and honor those still living with their descendants; Special cultural and artistic program…

Especially, this Vu Lan season, Buddhists and visitors to Ba Den Mountain will hear Venerable Thich Thien Thuan deliver a sermon on the theme “A Mother’s Heart”, together remembering and honoring the immense gratitude towards parents.

The Vu Lan Lantern Offering Ceremony is held on the evening of August 31st. Photo: Le Nhat Hung Phat

Venerable Thich Thien Thuan is currently a Member of the Executive Council, Deputy Head and Chief Secretary of the Executive Board, and Head of the Propagation Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. Having participated in translating, editing, and proofreading many famous Buddhist works, the Venerable is known for his enlightening, relatable, and easy-to-understand lectures, bringing Buddhism closer to a large number of Buddhists across the country. 

On Sunday evening, August 31st, 2024, the Grand Vu Lan Filial Piety Lantern Offering Ceremony will be a moment for Buddhists and tourists to send wishes for peace to their parents and pray for the souls of the departed. 

With a series of large-scale activities taking place throughout the 4 days of this year's September 2nd holiday until the end of the Vu Lan festival, Ba Den Mountain promises to welcome thousands of people and tourists to immerse themselves in the proud atmosphere of the nation's important holiday, as well as the sacred Vu Lan filial piety festival.