Thien Mu Pagoda
Chùa Thiên Mụ
An ancient temple on a hill along the north bank of the Perfume River. Its seven-story octagonal Phuoc Duyen Tower is the symbol of the city of Hue.
Thiên Mụ Pagoda was built in 1601 and is the oldest temple in Hue. Nguyễn Hoàng, Lord of Quảng Nam, founded it following a legend that an old woman in the heavens said that building a temple here would protect the nation's fortunes. The Phuoc Duyen Tower, facing the Perfume River, was built in 1844 during the reign of Emperor Thiệu Trị. It has seven stories and an octagonal plan, rises about 21 meters, and holds a Buddha statue on each floor. It is Hue's most representative landmark. Pavilions on either side of the tower house stone tablets inscribed with poems by Emperor Thiệu Trị and a bell weighing about 2 tons. The courtyards are shaded by trees, and monks still practice here. In the back courtyard, an old Austin car is on display. In 1963, the monk Thích Quảng Đức rode this car to Saigon, where he set himself on fire to protest the religious oppression of South Vietnam's Ngô Đình Diệm regime, a act that shocked the world. Entry to the temple is free, and visitors must cover their shoulders and knees.
Getting there: It is about 4 km from the Imperial City, about 15 minutes by bicycle or taxi. You can also take a dragon boat from the city wharf along the Perfume River, which takes about 30 minutes to reach the temple's landing, and continue downstream to the tombs.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Ho Quyen Tiger Arena
- Tomb of Tu Duc
- Vong Canh Hill
- Tu Hieu Pagoda
- Tomb of Dong Khanh
- Hon Chen Temple
- Imperial City of Hue
- Nam Giao Esplanade