The most beautiful religious buildings Central

Serein and imposing at the same time, with its oaks, pines, ponds and rivers, affluents of the Perfume River, Song Huong: no site could have been more favourable to the rest of so August characters (the name of the Perfume River comes from the incense that once embaumait the river during the feasts given in honour of the emperor). All monuments are not to be seen (some of them, there is only a statuette, wall or brisée), but we must not hesitate to go into the small aisles: Some secondary graves are full of charm with their végétation covered stelas. The strictest géomancie rules were observed in the construction of these funeral palaces. For géomanciens, tombs were required to be surrounded by vegetation, to be oriented south and to be left to a hill (sometimes located not far behind). Bad minds were feared, including those of Barbarians coming from the North. Walls also served as protection: bad geniuses moving only in the right line, they had to face these obstacles. Last precaution, it was necessary in construction to respect the elements: wood, water, sky, wind breath, earth, moon and sun.

One of Hué's oldest pagodas, nestled in the forest on a hill in Thuy Xuân commune. Originally, it was a hermitage built in 1843 by the monk Thich Nhat Hanh. In 1848, a year after his death, the site was renovated and enlarged with the financial support of the imperial eunuchs who hoped to be buried there. To this day, some thirty eunuch tombs remain in the pagoda's courtyard, along with a crescent-shaped lake built in 1931 and planted with lotus flowers and water lilies.

Opposite rue Hai Bà Trung, on a pleasant little square, stands the superb Tam Quan gate, or three-entrance gate, leading to an ancient temple complex dating back to 1626. The three entrance gates lead to a large field and two worship areas of the complex dedicated to a patron god, a goddess who brings blessing and security, 36 celestial protectors and 12 midwives. The Bà Mu temple is nicknamed the "temple of the midwife" by the city's inhabitants, who regularly bring their children here in search of blessings.

This kalan, a Cham temple-tower, is said to have been built in the ^13th century in honor of an ^11th-century Cham king, Po Klong Garai. According to some theories, it is even older... The temple's saddle-shaped roof and two towers are characteristic of the Thap Mam style. In the sanctuary is a mukha linga dedicated to Shiva, a linga with a face. Yet the Cham venerate it as a statue of Po Klong Garai. The Hindu god is featured in a sculpture above the entrance door.

Mount Tà Cu rises to 649 m in a protected natural area. It is home to several sanctuaries, including the Linh Son Truong Tho pagoda (upper pagoda) and the Long Doan pagoda (lower pagoda), founded in the ^19th century. There is also a monumental Reclining Buddha, built between 1962 and 1966. The summit can be reached by cable car or on foot (arrive early in the morning, be in good physical condition and carry a supply of water). Bands of monkeys are happy to accompany visitors. The summit offers a panoramic view of the sea.