Ta Cu Mountain

The highlight here is the white reclining Buddha (Tuong Phat Nam). At 49m long, it’s the largest in Vietnam. The pagoda was constructed in 1861, but the Buddha was only added in 1972. It has become an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhists, who stay overnight in the pagoda’s dormitory. Foreigners can’t do this without police permission, but Thien Thay Hotel ( 062-386 7484; r 280,000d; ) offers basic rooms atop the mountain.

The mountain is just off Hwy 1, 28km south from Phan Thiet. From the highway it’s a beautiful two-hour trek (15,000d), or a 10-minute cable-car ride (85,000d return) and a short, but steep, hike.