The Phuoc Duyen tower
Hue's unofficial emblem.
Lưu Ly — Public domain · Phương Huy — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0
Hue's best-known landmark outside the citadel, on a low hill above the north bank of the Perfume River about 5 km upstream from the city. The first temple was built here in 1601 by the Nguyen lord Nguyen Hoang, after a local legend of an old woman, the «celestial lady» of its name, who had foretold that a lord would build a temple on the hill. Its symbol is the Phuoc Duyen tower, an octagonal brick pagoda of seven storeys and 21 metres added by Emperor Thieu Tri in 1844, which has become the unofficial emblem of Hue. Beside it stand pavilions holding a stone stele on a marble turtle and a great bronze bell cast in 1710, weighing over three tonnes and said to be audible 10 km away. The temple is still a working monastery, with gardens behind the main hall. Entry is free; dress modestly, keep your voice down and stay out of the areas reserved for the monks. Many visitors arrive by dragon boat on the Perfume River as part of a river trip.
Hue's unofficial emblem.
Cast in 1710.
From the hill above the Perfume River.
Ha Khe hill, north bank of the Perfume River, about 5 km west of the citadel
By car or bicycle in about 15 minutes from central Hue, or by dragon boat on the Perfume River from the wharves near Truong Tien Bridge.