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 10:40
Vietnam retains an architectural heritage that spans several centuries. From the Confucian temples in Hanoi to the Cham towers in the country's interior, including the imperial citadels of Hué, these structures reflect influences from Hindu, Chinese, and European traditions that have shaped the land. Each building illustrates a specific period, from the 7th century with Po Nagar's towers to modern constructions of the 20th century. The Temple of Literature in Hanoi, founded in 1070, embodies the Vietnamese educational tradition with its five successive courtyards. In Hué, the Thien Mu Pagoda has stood since 1601 with its seven-story tower rising 70 feet (21 meters) over the Parfum River. The Cham towers of Binh Dinh and Nha Trang showcase the craft of this civilization through their brick ornaments and stone sculptures. The port city of Hoi An features an architectural ensemble from the 15th century, combining Chinese, Japanese, and European styles. These sites offer a tangible journey through the country's architectural and cultural evolution.
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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