Vietnam is preparing to unveil the world’s tallest Buddha statue carved directly into a cliff, a monumental project in An Giang province that will surpass China’s famed Leshan Buddha.
Standing 81 metres high, the meditating Buddha is being sculpted into the face of Mount Sam, a landmark in Vinh Te ward. Once completed in 2027, it will officially claim the record for the tallest cliff‑carved Buddha statue in the world, overtaking the Leshan figure, which rises 71 metres.
The statue forms the centrepiece of the Sam Mountain Cultural Park, a project launched in 2015 with an investment of around 255 billion VND, funded through social contributions and the Sam Mountain Mausoleum Management Board. The initiative aims to transform a former quarry site into a spiritual and artistic attraction, elevating An Giang’s reputation as a hub for cultural tourism.
Construction has been arduous. Sculptors began at the head and worked downwards, embedding iron pipes deep into the rock to support mobile platforms. Progress depends heavily on weather conditions, with work halted during rain, wind or lightning to ensure safety. “We had to climb the mountain on foot every day to reach the site,” said Ke, a 35‑year‑old sculptor, describing the challenges of carving into sheer cliff terrain.
Beyond its sheer scale, the statue is intended to boost tourism. The Management Board says the project will create a “unique highlight” for the Sam Mountain National Tourist Area, drawing domestic and international visitors. Excess stone from the carving is being reused to landscape the park and build supporting facilities.
Mount Sam itself is already a spiritual icon, rising 284 metres and home to more than 100 temples, pagodas and shrines. It hosts the Via Ba Chua Xu Festival, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, which attracts millions of pilgrims each year.
For An Giang, the Buddha statue represents both a feat of engineering and a cultural statement. By turning a scarred quarry face into a monumental work of devotion, the province hopes to cement its place on the global map of spiritual tourism.
When completed, the cliff‑carved Buddha will not only set a world record but also stand as a symbol of resilience, artistry and faith, towering over the Mekong Delta as a new landmark of Vietnam’s cultural landscape.
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