The southwestern province of Tay Ninh will allow tourists to visit Ba Den Relic Complex without paying entrance fee from January 1 to December 31 next year, according to Truong Van Hung, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

It is part of the province's efforts to promote tourism and share difficulties with visitors and enterprises who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since October 16, the province has piloted resuming a tourism route with Ho Chi Minh City in line with the “safe tourism” campaign. However, not many tourists have visited the site due to COVID-19’s impact, he said.

Ba Den (Black Lady) Mountain, which is over 100 km to the northwest of HCM City, is famous for its majestic landscapes and magnificent caves and pagodas and is part of the Nui Ba Relic Complex in Tay Ninh province.

The 24-sq.km complex covers an intricate system of mysterious caves, pagodas, and temples, making it a favourite venue for pilgrims. The Ba Den Mountain Festival in the first lunar month sees pilgrims come and pray for a prosperous and peaceful year ahead.

The Ba Den tourism site has been continually upgraded over recent years. With a cable car system, electric cars, and even a resort, it is now an ideal getaway for visitors.

A two-way cable car ride between the foot of the mountain and Linh Son Thanh Mau Temple, 900 metres above sea level and near the peak, costs 170,000 VND (7.5 USD). It takes 15 minutes each way.

From the cable car, tourists can get a panoramic view of a waterfall under the glistening sun, mysterious caves and the dense forest beneath. They can also trek to the top of the mountain.

The Ba Den tourism site welcomes millions of tourists each year. Ba Den Mountain alone welcomed over 500,000 pilgrims in 2019 and 2020.

The province has unveiled plans to turn the Ba Den national tourist site into a competitive tourism destination. The Ba Den Mount tourism site will spread over nearly 3,000ha in Ninh Son and Ninh Thanh wards and Thanh Tan commune in Tay Ninh city, and parts of Suoi Da and Phan communes in Duong Minh Chau district. There will be separate areas for spiritual-cultural tourism, culture-sport, entertainment, accommodation besides scientific, natural and environmental research./.

VNA/VNP