Thiên Mụ Temple, Buddhist temple on Hà Khê hill, Huế, Vietnam
Thiên Mụ is a Buddhist temple on Hà Khê hill along the northern bank of the Perfume River in Huế, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The seven-story Phước Duyên tower rises 21 meters (69 feet) above the entrance to the complex and serves as a landmark for the region.
Nguyễn Hoàng ordered this temple built in 1601 to secure prosperity for his ruling line. Later rulers expanded the complex over the centuries with additional buildings and religious objects.
The temple's name means Celestial Lady and refers to a legend about an old woman who appeared at this site. Visitors today see monks performing daily rituals and can hear the bell ringing across the river.
The complex can be reached from central Huế using different forms of transport, with guided tours offered regularly throughout the day. The site sits on a hill, so visitors need to climb some steps to explore all areas.
A side building houses the Austin automobile that monk Thích Quảng Đức used in 1963 for his journey to Saigon, where he protested against religious persecution. This vehicle recalls an event that drew worldwide attention and led to political changes in Vietnam.
Location: Huế
Part of: Imperial City of Hue
GPS coordinates: 16.45360,107.54481
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:30
Vietnam has buildings that tell the story of the country over many centuries. From the temples in Hanoi to the towers in the city center, and the citadels in Hué, each structure shows signs of Hindu, Chinese, and European influences. These buildings span a long period, from the seventh to the twentieth century, and show how styles and methods changed over time. The Literature Temple in Hanoi, built in 1070, shows the school life of past centuries with its five courtyards in a row. In Hué, the Thien Mu Pagoda rises with its seven-story tower on the edge of the Perfume River since 1601. The Cham towers in Binh Dinh and Nha Trang demonstrate how the people built with bricks and stones, with detailed work on the facades. In Hoi An, a port town, the houses and streets from the 15th century mix Chinese, Japanese, and European styles. Walking through these places, you can see how Vietnam has welcomed and blended outside influences over many generations.
Vietnam extends more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from mountain regions in the north to the Mekong Delta in the south, offering travelers a wide range of natural and historical sites beyond urban centers. The country includes Buddhist temples like Bai Dinh and Thien Mu Pagoda, cave systems such as Son Doong and Hang En, and rice terraces at Y Ty and Hoang Su Phi. Geographic features span from limestone formations in Ninh Binh to coastal areas at Phu Quoc and Ly Son islands, and waterfalls at Ban Gioc along the Chinese border. Historical sites document different periods of Vietnamese history. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi preserves royal palace remains, while Po Nagar Cham Towers in Nha Trang date to the 7th century. My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam holds temple ruins from the Champa civilization, and Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City served as an underground network during the Vietnam War. The Mekong Delta in the south consists of waterways, floating markets and traditional villages, while Mui Ne sand dunes and Lang Co Beach present different coastal landscapes.
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