Where is Viba Monkey Pagoda of Vung Tau?
Viba Monkey Pagoda of Vung Tau or Viba Monkey Pagoda (official name is Tam Bao Pagoda), is located at 72 Viba Street, Ward 1, Vung Tau City. Being on the slopes of Nui Lon (the Big Mountain), this place is home to a wild troop of nearly 100 long-tailed monkeys. They survive on food provided by the temple and tourists.
History
Tam Bao Pagoda (or Viba Monkey Pagoda) was founded by Venerable Thich Gioi Nghiem in the early 1970s with a very simple initial design. In 1984, Venerable Thich Gioi Nghiem passed away. The monks, nuns, and subsequent abbots of Tam Bao Pagoda have continued to build and renovate the pagoda into what it is nowadays.
Until 2024, the pagoda is around 54 years old.
Shelter for wild monkeys
A long time ago, a troop of monkeys appeared on Nui Lon. However, due to human activities depleting their natural food sources and hunters pursuing them, the monkeys gradually moved to live near Tam Bao Pagoda. Over time, this area unknowingly became their home.
Initially, there were only a few dozen monkeys. But with a steady food supply and a safe living environment, their population grew rapidly, forming a troop of hundreds. The monkeys play freely in the pagoda and are not afraid of humans.
As a daily routine, many locals and tourists visit Tam Bao Pagoda to feed the monkeys. Their food mainly consists of bananas and various nuts, but they will also drink soft drinks and eat snacks if offered by visitors.
A food stall for the monkeys is set up by locals in front of Tam Bao Pagoda. Tourists often buy bananas, peanuts, and snacks to feed the monkeys. This has become the primary food source for the monkeys as their natural food supply decreases.
According to nearby residents, although these monkeys are wild animals, they are quite gentle. They only take the food offered to them and do not snatch belongings from tourists, so people can interact with them comfortably as long as they avoid provoking the monkeys.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Viba Monkey Pagoda of Vung Tau is during daytime when the weather is not too hot. The monkeys will be out of their places to roam on the street, waiting to be fed by tourists and locals.
If you are visiting the pagoda on rainy days, or too hot days, you may not see many monkeys around.
What to do and not to do
Here are some dos and don’ts for visiting the Viba Monkey Pagoda of Vung Tau:
What to do:
- Buy bananas, peanuts, or snacks from the food stall at the entrance to feed the monkeys
- Observe the monkeys from a safe distance to avoid startling them
- Respect the temple grounds and follow any posted rules
- Use a camera or smartphone, but do so calmly and without flash to avoid scaring the monkeys
- Be careful with your belongings (phone, glasses,…) as the monkeys may try to take them
The food to feed monkeys is priced from 5,000 VND to 30,000 VND.
What not to do:
- Don’t provoke the monkeys
- Don’t offer harmful food
- Don’t touch the monkeys
- Don’t leave belongings unattended
- Don’t litter
Nearby attractions and tours
For nearby attractions, you can visit:
For tours to Viba Monkey Pagoda, or Vung Tau, check these ones:
Battle of Long Tan Tour: Journey of Past & Present
Service: Tours, transfers, activities, visa, hotels,…
Locations available: HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Da Lat,…