Minh Duc Pagoda is located within the Thien Ma Cultural Complex in Tinh Khe Commune. The complex sits atop 70-metre-high Thien Ma Mountain, one of three sacred peaks for local residents, alongside Thien An and Thien But.
During Tet, the Thien Ma Cultural Complex receives thousands of local residents and visitors from across the country each day, who come to pay tribute to the Bodhisattva statue, pray for peace and admire the scenery at the river mouth.
Perched on the mountain summit, the site offers sweeping views. From the top, visitors can see where the Tra Khuc River meets the sea, as well as central Quang Ngai, about 10 kilometres away. The centrepiece of the complex is the 125-metre statue, construction of which began in 2020 and is now largely complete.
The main hall of Minh Duc Pagoda covers nearly 12,000 square metres, with its highest point reaching 51 metres. A balustrade stretching more than 1,000 metres allows visitors to stroll and take in panoramic views of the urban area and the open sea.
Nguyen Thi Y from Duc Pho ward travelled 40 kilometres with her child to the pagoda to pray for blessings in the year ahead. “The location is beautiful and the statue is immense, so not only me but thousands of others come here,” she said.
The statue faces east towards the point where the Tra Khuc River flows into the sea. Visible in the distance is Cua Dai Bridge, a modern cable-stayed structure and one of the most striking bridges in Quang Ngai.
The 125-metre Quan Am statue, set atop a 70-metre mountain, can be seen from afar, with residents up to 15-20 kilometres away able to spot it on clear days.
For many years, Minh Duc Pagoda has been the most visited site in Quang Ngai during major holidays. During the Tet holiday in 2025 alone, it welcomed 32,000 visitors, the highest number among tourist attractions in the province.
Location of Minh Duc Pagoda (Photo: Google Maps).