Truc Lam Zen Monastery

The original uploader was Liftold at Vietnamese Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0

A Zen monastery on a pine hill above Tuyen Lam lake, reached by cable car.

Truc Lam is among the largest Zen monasteries in Vietnam, founded in 1994 on Phung Hoang hill looking straight down onto Tuyen Lam lake. It belongs to the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen lineage founded by King Tran Nhan Tong, and the place reflects that: plain architecture, little carving, an open main hall, and most of the grounds given to flower gardens and pines. The finest approach is the two-kilometre cable car from Robin hill, flying over pine forest with the town behind you. The monks and nuns here keep a strict schedule, so visitors are asked to stay silent in the inner precinct.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery?

November to March, in the morning

How long do you need at Truc Lam Zen Monastery?

1 - 1.5 hours

What are the opening hours of Truc Lam Zen Monastery?

05:00 - 21:00; the inner precinct keeps its own hours

Did you know

The monastery was founded in 1994 on Phung Hoang hill, overlooking Tuyen Lam lake.
It is among the largest Zen monasteries in Vietnam.
It belongs to the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen lineage founded by King Tran Nhan Tong.
The cable car from Robin hill to the monastery runs about 2km.

Travel tips

Take the cable car from Robin hill rather than the road — it flies over pine forest.
Keep silence in the inner precinct; this is a place of practice with a fixed schedule, not just a sight.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr%C3%BAc_L%C3%A2m_Monastery_of_Da_Lat

Updated: 2026-08-16