The 125-meter-tall statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara on Thien Ma mountain is currently considered the tallest in Southeast AsiaConstruction of the Minh Duc Pagoda and the Guanyin Buddha statue in Quang Ngai Province began in 2018. The pagoda stands majestically atop Thien Ma mountain - one of the province’s three renowned peaks, alongside Thien An and Thien But, forming a trio known as Three Heavens (Tam Thien) that holds profound spiritual significance. From this prime location, visitors can admire a panoramic view of Co Luy bridge and the spot where the Tra Khuc River flows into the sea.
With a total campus area of approximately 90 hectares, Minh Duc pagoda was developed by Senior Venerable Thich Tam Vi, with construction commencing in 2018. The pagoda is designed as a Buddhist spiritual and cultural complex, featuring numerous monumental structures such as a main hall spanning nearly 12,000 square meters, a front hall, the Great Hero Hall, East and West Halls, bell and drum towers, East and West scripture pavilions, a Buddhist museum, the White Horse Garden, the Ten Dharma Realms area, meditation halls, a monastic quarters area, an inner courtyard, a stupa complex and Long Hoa Garden (Long Hoa vien).
Minh Duc pagoda features a main hall spanning nearly 12,000 square meters, characterized by unique architecture The most striking highlight that draws every gaze is the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, standing at a record-breaking height of 125 meters. It is currently considered the tallest Buddha statue in Southeast Asia. This height surpasses that of many other famous Buddha statues in Vietnam, such as the statue on Ba Den mountain (72 meters) and the one at Linh An pagoda in Da Lat (71 meters). As a result, the Guanyin statue at Minh Duc pagoda ranks among the tallest Guanyin statues in the world.
The statue of Guanyin faces Co Luy bridge, symbolizing protection and salvation for the entire region. Upon completion, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to admire the statue and take in the surrounding scenery by ascending via an internal elevator. The area in front of the main Buddha statue features additional Buddha statues arranged in two parallel rows, alongside various figures embodying Buddhist spiritual values, creating a solemn and serene space for reverence.
With its massive scale and significant architectural and artistic value, Minh Duc pagoda featuring a 125-meter-tall statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva stands not merely as a religious site but as a major Buddhist spiritual and cultural complex; it promises to become a premier destination for sightseeing and pilgrimage, attracting large numbers of domestic and international visitors to Quang Ngai province. The main components of Minh Duc pagoda, including the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, are expected to be completed by 2026.
Minh Duc pagoda is located near Co Luy bridge, creating a magical scene downstream of Tra Khuc riverThe structure stands not only as a symbol of the Buddha’s compassion and deliverance from suffering but also as a testament to the evolution of Vietnamese Buddhist architecture in the modern time. The Guan Yin Buddha statue (Tuong Phat Quan Am) at Thien Ma mountain has become a source of pride for local residents, enriching the landscape of spiritual tourism while affirming Vietnam’s standing on the global map of Buddhist heritage./.
