Thien Mu Pagoda

The Phuoc Duyen tower seen from the river · Valeria Drozdova · Pexels License

Hue's emblematic pagoda on Ha Khe hill, its seven-storey Phuoc Duyen tower mirrored in the Perfume River.

Thien Mu was founded in 1601 by order of Lord Nguyen Hoang, and is bound up with the legend of an old woman in red who foretold that a true lord would come and build a pagoda here to hold the dragon vein. The seven-storey Phuoc Duyen tower, twenty-one metres high and raised in 1844, honours a Buddha on each level and has become the emblem of Hue itself. Behind it lie quiet grounds with pine gardens, stelae borne on stone tortoises, and a great bell cast in 1710 weighing over two tonnes. In the back courtyard stands the Austin car that carried the monk Thich Quang Duc to Saigon in 1963 — an object that leaves many visitors standing in silence.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Thien Mu Pagoda?

January to April

How long do you need at Thien Mu Pagoda?

1 hour

What are the opening hours of Thien Mu Pagoda?

08:00 - 18:00

Did you know

The pagoda was founded in 1601 under Lord Nguyen Hoang.
The seven-storey Phuoc Duyen tower is 21m high and was built in 1844.
It holds a great bell cast in 1710 weighing over two tonnes.
The grounds display the Austin car connected with the events of 1963.
It stands on Ha Khe hill on the north bank of the Perfume River.

Travel tips

Take a dragon boat up the Perfume River rather than driving.
Come early for the morning bell and to miss the tour groups.

Source: https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chùa_Thiên_Mụ

Updated: 2026-08-06