The Tu Hieu Pagoda: A Spiritual Symbol Of The Ancient Imperial Capital Of Hue

Vietnam is home to some of the most beautiful temples and pagodas in the world, where different religions blend together. If you have the chance to visit the city of Hue, take the time to discover one of the most beautiful pagodas, the Tu Hieu Pagoda, which exemplifies the subtle beauty of Buddhist culture.

About

Located 5 kilometers southwest of the center of Hue, the Tu Hieu Pagoda is situated in the Dương Xuân mountain region, in the Thủy Xuân commune. Its architecture is designed in the shape of the Chinese character "Khau," composed of three main halls and two secondary halls.

In 1848, originally small in size, Tu Hieu was rebuilt on a larger scale by the monk Cương Ky with the help of eunuchs and other devotees. The main altar is dedicated to the Buddha, while the other altars are dedicated to the founders of the pagoda.

In 1894, monk Cuong Ky began restoring the pagoda with the support of King Thanh Thai, eunuchs, and followers. It is also in this pagoda that the renowned monk Thich Nhat Hanh chose to live in his later years.

In 1931, monk Hue Minh continued the work and built a pond in the middle of the pagoda. Since then, the Tu Hieu Pagoda has become a symbol of spiritual life not only for Buddhists in Vietnam but also for followers around the world.

Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh and the Tu Hieu Pagoda

Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the most influential Buddhist monks in the development of Western Buddhism. During his years abroad, he gave teachings and Buddhist lectures around the world, in countries such as France, the United States, China, and even founded practice centers.

At the age of 16, he entered Tu Hieu as a novice monk in 1942. After completing his studies at the Bao Quoc Buddhist Academy, Thich Nhat Hanh was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1949. However, his stance against the Vietnam War led to a ban on his return to Vietnam.

After 39 years of exile, Thich Nhat Hanh returned to his home country for the first time to teach practitioners. In 2014, at the age of 88, after a stroke, he expressed his wish to spend his final years at the Tu Hieu Pagoda, where he passed away on January 22, 2022.

How to get to Tu Hieu Pagoda?

It takes about 5 minutes to travel a distance of 5 kilometers from the center of Huê to the Tu Hieu Pagoda. At the beginning of Dong Khoi street, turn left onto Le Loi street. Then, go straight for 800 meters until you reach an intersection. Here, turn left onto Dien Bien Phu street, continue for 2.2 km, then turn right onto Le Ngo Cat street. As you continue along the road for about 1 km, you will see a sign indicating the Tu Hieu Pagoda, about 200 meters away.

Must-see attractions near Tu Hieu Pagoda

In addition to Tu Hieu Pagoda, you can explore other tourist attractions in Huê:

Tomb of Tu Duc

Located 2 kilometers from Tu Hieu Pagoda, the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, built in 1864, is one of the most famous historical sites to visit in Huê. It is also considered a complex with palaces and infrastructures that best represent the architectural art of the Nguyen dynasty.

Tiger Arena

About 10 minutes by motorbike from Tu Hieu Pagoda, the Tiger Arena stands as a giant citadel. During the reign of Minh Mang, a king of the Nguyen dynasty, it was here that tiger and elephant fights took place as part of offerings to the spirits. In 1998, it was recognized as a national historical relic.

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