During our initial day exploring Vung Tau, locals kept enquiring whether we planned to visit the Jesus Statue. Initially, I was uncertain what they meant. Apart from the one in Rio, I wasn't aware of any others. It turns out these statues exist throughout the globe (picking up something fresh every day). By our second day in Vung Tau, we chose to trek out to see Jesus.
If you reckon stumbling upon a colossal Jesus figure in Vietnam is oddly peculiar, you've got a point. Vietnam's Christian and Catholic communities are notably robust owing to French colonial rule and American involvement in the nation. I'm uncertain why I found this so astonishing upon arriving in Vietnam. I'd encountered plenty of Vietnamese Catholic Churches throughout Southern California. One of the educational institutions I attended regularly held Sunday mass conducted in Vietnamese. It ought to have occurred to me earlier. Yet it didn't until we commenced our journey towards the monument.
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| Quite lovely views |
We began our trek towards the foot of the 811 step ascent. Fortunately the walk from our hotel wasn't particularly long. We did have to put up with the relentless honking and "madam where are you headed?"; "motorbike"; "I can take you" whilst we made our way to the statue. Interestingly, I would have been happy to catch a taxi in Vung Tau that didn't honk at us. Regrettably, that never eventuated. Following a picturesque walk along the peninsula, we commenced our climb to the Jesus statue.
The day was sweltering and oppressively humid so 811 stairs felt like forever. By the time I'd completed the first 250, I was soaked through with perspiration, deeply grateful I'd brought a water bottle along. We chose to take our time ascending the stairs rather than rush, pausing when necessary. It proved to be the right call. Plenty of other visitors were drenched in sweat by the moment they reached the summit.
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| Several sets of steps leading upwards |
The 811 steps took us to breathtaking ocean vistas. Though strenuous, the climb proved worthwhile. Should you find yourself in Vung Tau, I'd suggest making the trek. Amongst Vietnam's abundance of temples, encountering such substantial Christian presence scattered across predominantly Buddhist landscape was genuinely striking.
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| At last got here! |
Missed my earlier explorations of the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City? Follow the links to relive my trip adventures! Ever visited Vung Tau yourself? Which part did you enjoy most?
Until we meet again...
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