Located on the slopes of Nui Lon (Big Mountain) in the coastal city of Vung Tau (Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province), Chon Khong Zen Monastery is home to a colossal gold-plated Buddha statue, attracting throngs of visitors and locals who come to admire and worship.

Chon Khong Zen Monastery, situated at 36/11 Vi Ba Street and perched at an altitude of 80 meters above sea level, is a must-visit spiritual destination for tourists traveling to Vung Tau.

According to the Ba Ria – Vung Tau Provincial Center for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion, the monastery was initiated by Venerable Thich Thanh Tu in 1966. However, it wasn’t until 1995 that the monastery was constructed into its current architectural scale.

Covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, the monastery boasts a majestic landscape “backed by mountains, facing the sea.” The architectural complex includes the ancestral stupa, main hall, bell tower, meditation hall, nuns’ quarters, and guest house - all nestled midway up the mountain and surrounded by lush greenery.

The monastery’s centerpiece is its massive gold-plated Buddha statue, which was completed and inaugurated in 2021. The statue is positioned at the highest point within the monastery grounds.

To reach Chon Khong Zen Monastery, visitors must first walk up a fairly long incline, flanked by lush greenery and refreshing mountain air. The monastery’s entrance is located halfway up the hill.

According to the monks at the temple, the name "Chon Khong" refers to the original, unborn, and undying nature of the self. Naming the monastery Chon Khong reflects the monks’ philosophy of spiritual practice - one of realization, enlightenment, and living in harmony with the pure essence of being.