Foreign tourists taking photos of the crescent-shaped lake at Tu Hieu Pagoda.

Slow down and enjoy life in the serene atmosphere of Hue's temples.

While Hue's most famous temple tourism is centered around Thien Mu Pagoda on Ha Khe Hill, overlooking the picturesque Perfume River, temples located in many other places are also sought after and explored by tourists in their own unique ways.

One afternoon in late March, many Western and Vietnamese tourists flocked to the ancient Tu Hieu Pagoda on Duong Xuan hill (Le Ngo Cat street, Thuy Xuan ward, Thuan Hoa district). In the ancient setting, reminiscent of Hue's gardens, after praying, many visitors leisurely admired the pagoda's scenery with its system of hills, courtyards, crescent-shaped lake, bell tower, and eunuch cemetery…

Instead of hustle and bustle, the tranquility and the rustling of pine trees captivate anyone who sets foot here. “Many temples in Hue, including Tu Hieu Pagoda, are truly wonderful. Besides the stunning scenery, everything here is worth a long stay, to immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere, to ‘heal’ from the noise of the world,” shared Ms. Nguyen Kim Thanh, a tourist from Hanoi .

Despite visiting Hue many times, Ms. Thanh always makes a point of going to Tu Hieu Pagoda. The landscape and traditional architecture of Hue pagodas in general, and Tu Hieu in particular, captivated her from the moment she stepped through the triple-arched gate. “Hue pagodas have unique and distinctive features that cannot be found anywhere else. The pagodas in Hue are arranged scientifically; besides the small main hall situated in the middle of a large garden, the interior space is filled with ancient trees, ponds… it’s very beautiful!” Ms. Thanh said.

Not only domestic visitors, this temple has also welcomed many international tourists in recent times. From our observations, besides individual visitors, there are also many tour groups coming to Tu Hieu Temple, and they spend a lot of time here. Most share the same opinion: the temple's tranquil atmosphere seems to slow down time, allowing people to breathe, feel the fresh air, and experience peace.

“Many temples in Hue in general, and Tu Hieu Temple in particular, have scenery like a heavenly paradise on earth. Stepping inside is like entering another world. Everything feels peaceful, you feel more energized, and you feel like yourself,” shared Anna, a tourist from France, affirming that she will return to Hue to explore more ancient temples.

I enjoy learning about Buddhist culture.

Located far from the center of Hue, for over a decade, Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda (Long Ho Ward, Phu Xuan District) has become an attractive destination, increasingly drawing visitors from all over. Dubbed a "heavenly paradise on earth," the pagoda, situated high on a mountain, welcomes many visitors every day with its picturesque scenery.

The highlight of Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda is its system of calligraphy and various types of orchids arranged in many spaces inside, captivating visitors. "Everything feels like a heavenly paradise, pristine yet orderly thanks to the meticulous care of the monks. The entire garden of the pagoda is like a work of art," commented Mr. Nguyen Quy (Hue City) upon arriving at Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda.

With many years of experience as a tour guide, Mr. Le Duc Hoang (a tour guide in Hue City) said that both Vietnamese and foreign tourists, when visiting a land with a rich culture and history like the ancient capital of Hue, are not only interested in visiting the heritage sites but also want to experience the temples. Some of the temples that tourists often visit include Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Hieu Pagoda, Thien Lam Pagoda, and Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda… Besides their cultural and historical value, tourists also really appreciate the scenery. “Especially for foreign tourists, learning about Buddhist culture and the spiritual life of the people of Hue is a topic of great interest to them. Therefore, they often sign up for tours or find their way to the temples on their own to visit,” Mr. Hoang shared.

Having guided tourists to most of the famous ancient temples in Hue, Mr. Hoang said that both Western and Vietnamese visitors feel a sense of peace upon arriving, unaffected by the hustle and bustle of the city – a truly delightful moment of tranquility during their trip. This tour guide also admitted, "Guiding tourists to temples is also a way for me to slow down amidst the chaos of life."

Mr. Le Duc Hoang also advised that both individual and group visitors to Hue's temples should be polite and considerate to suit the "rhythm" of the temple. Furthermore, they should adhere to the temple's regulations and avoid creating offensive or unsightly images.

"From a tour guide's perspective, I also hope that the temples will provide information about their activities and ceremonies so that tourists are aware and tour guides can understand the information and convey it to them. This is also a way to promote the cultural values ​​of Hue in general and the Buddhist culture of Hue in particular," Hoang shared.

Text and photos: NHAT MINH

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/chua-hue-cuon-hut-du-khach-152261.html