Exploring the Ta Kou Nature Reserve
Ta Kou Nature Reserve—often described as the “green lung” of the coastal region—is emerging as a captivating destination for spiritual tourism, where development is taking shape beneath the vast forest canopy.
Eco-tourism and Relaxation Amid Ancient Forests
The Ta Kou Nature Reserve Management Board is one of two units formerly approved by the former Binh Thuan Provincial People’s Committee to develop an eco-tourism, resort, and recreation plan aligned with the reserve’s Sustainable Forest Management Plan for 2021–2030.
Following this policy, the Board drafted a proposal and budget for the plan and submitted it to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for coordination with relevant departments and localities. Together they will appraise, approve, and select a consulting unit with legal status, capability, and experience to carry out the project in accordance with regulations.
In April 2025, after the provincial merger, work continued. The Board is now finalizing the proposal and budget for submission to the provincial People’s Committee. Once approved, this will pave the way to select consulting agencies—mainly domestic planning institutes—to carefully map out each forest area under management, complete the tourism development plan, and present it for final approval. The approved plan will provide the foundation for attracting investors and leasing forest environments to create unique, harmonious landscapes and distinctive attractions for visitors.
Under Decree No. 91/2024, which amends and supplements Decree No. 156/2018 detailing the implementation of the Forestry Law, Ta Kou Nature Reserve is poised to become the first unit in Lam Dong to implement a forest environment leasing model, provided the process proceeds smoothly.
The Unique Charm of Ta Kou
The reserve covers a natural area of 10,447.62 hectares, including 10,411.99 hectares within the three-category forest plan (8,425.44 hectares of special-use forest and 1,986.55 hectares of production forest) and 35.63 hectares outside the plan. Its diverse terrain and pristine landscapes offer irresistible appeal to travelers.
Ta Kou has long been renowned as a spiritual destination. Highlights include Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda—named by Emperor Tu Duc—and the 49-meter reclining Buddha statue of Shakyamuni, which set a Vietnam record on January 2, 2006, and an Asian record on March 2, 2013, for being the “longest reclining Buddha atop a mountain.” Midway up the mountain lies Ho Dau Pagoda, where thousands of Buddhists come to offer incense each year. The mountaintop also features Vietnam’s largest wind chime tower, another striking attraction of the area.
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A Model for Sustainable Tourism
Located just 166 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City and connected by national highways and expressways, Ta Kou is easily accessible by car in only two to three hours. The reserve also serves as a vital green belt, helping regulate the climate for nearby industrial zones and urban areas—home to many experts, workers, and travelers whose demand for leisure and nature experiences is steadily rising.
Thanks to these advantages, numerous businesses and organizations have expressed interest in leasing forest environments here to develop eco-tourism, resort, and recreation projects. Tourism activities beneath the forest canopy not only introduce a distinctive travel experience for the province but also generate revenue for reinvestment in forest protection and development.
According to research documents, Ta Kou Nature Reserve is a top-priority site within the Truong Son Range Conservation Program and one of the world’s 221 key ecological regions. With its evergreen tropical broadleaf forest ecosystem, it is home to many rare species of flora and fauna, several of which are listed in the IUCN Red List (2019).
Ta Kou is not only a sanctuary for spiritual seekers but also an ideal destination for nature lovers eager to explore and experience the untouched beauty of Vietnam’s coastal forests.
