29 Dec 2011: CHRIST, HE'S HIGH!! #2 of 2

The most prominent sight in Vung Tau is a giant statue of Jesus Christ on Mount Nho, overlooking the South China Sea. The mountain was a Viet gun placement in the American war, set up to fire on enemy warships. After the war, the Catholic Association started building the statue but it took til 1993 to complete. Locals say it is the tallest Jesus in the world, taller than the famous one in Rio de Janiero. I have been to Rio and to me this one looks smaller, but I guess it depends on where you start measuring! They say the Rio Jesus is 26 metres, the Vung Tau 32. Please send tape measure or laser theodolite.

No charge to visit JC, just a matter of a few thousand steps on a hot sunny day. It's a bit like climbing steep sections of the Great Wall of China but there are shaded rest stops on the way. Also many concrete benches with the names of contributors around the world ---- from New York City, Montreal, Melbourne, Iowa, Paris, etc. This Stairway to Heaven includes other statues depicting biblical scenes, some mashed up or out-of-order, such as the Wise Men with the Ten Commandments. Despite this being Christmas week, my impression was that most visitors were just out for some sightseeing ---- few crossed themselves or knelt in prayer. 

The spiral stairwell inside is claustrophobically narrow, designed to go up but not back down. Once at the top of those additional 133 steps, there is a very small passage to allow 3 or 4 people at a time to go out on Jesus' arms! The outside space is about 2 feet by 6 feet, with only a 4 foot high edge. The view is spectacular but it creeped me out because one wrong step and I'd be praying I could fly.

Back at the base, we gave the statue an A+ (see railing if you don't believe us).