The peaceful atmosphere of the Perfume River makes it easy today to forget the terrible events, that happened here during the Vietnam War.
Our boat travels upstream, along the citadel. On the way, some goods are delivered to another boat.
A police checkpoint on a boat, inspect if the tourist boats have the prescribed licenses.
Thiên Mụ Pagoda – Heavenly Lady Pagoda
Finally, the boat moors on the jetty of the Thiên Mụ Pagoda.
The seven-stories pagoda is the highest in Vietnam, but beyond that it has a dual symbolic meaning for Vietnam.
According to the legend, an old woman, known as Thien Mu, sat on the hill at the Perfume River, at night. She said the lord would come here and build a pagoda to pray for the prosperity of the country. After the prophecy she vanished in a cloud.
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More InformationNguyễn Hoàng, the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty built the pagoda in 1601, one year after he had transferred the capital of the southern kingdom to Hue.
Phước Duyen Tower
After we climbed the stairs on the banks of the Perfume River, we face a small temple, the 21 m high Phước Duyen Tower. A 3285 kg heavy bell hangs inside.
Nguyễn Phúc Chu let it pour in 1710. It is considered a significant sight Vietnam.
An archway leads into the monastery, which is still inhabited by monks.
From the back of the temple one can get a glimpse into the private quarters of the monks.
Thích Quảng Đức
An old blue Austin is in a garage next to the monastery.
On the 11th of June,1963, the monk Thich Quang Đức went in this car from An Quang Pagoda to Saigon. As soon as he got out of the car, he publicly burned himself to death in front of cameras. His protest was against the incumbent president of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, who ruled and oppressed the Buddhists with the help of the Catholic upper class.
The images of this self-immolation went around the world and caused horror. However, the president family had only some contemptuous comments for this event. After that, Diem was no longer portable for the Americans, who supported him until there. From this point, they actively pursued his fall and his murder. Half a year after the self-immolation of Thích Quảng Đức, Diem was dead.
Next -> Visiting the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City
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One of the activities I enjoyed the most in Hue was this boat trip. I had a totally different view and feel of Hue from the boat. Thien Mu pagoda was an interesting place to visit too.
Thanks for the post!