If you are looking for interesting places to visit in Hue, there are many renowned tourist attractions in Hue Vietnam that you can choose from. Among them, Thien An Monastery is a perfect destination, offering every traveler an engaging experience thanks to its pleasant space, stunning scenery, and the architectural blend between Asian and European features.
1. Location of Thien An Monastery
Thien An Monastery is located in Thuy Bang commune, Huong Thuy district, Thua Thien Hue province, roughly 10 kilometers away from Hue’s city center. Visitors only need to follow Hoai Thuong street, then turn onto Le Ngo Cat and Minh Mang streets. Go straight to Khai Dinh street until you see the signboard ‘’Thien An Monastery’’ on the right side of the road.
The modest but majestic monastery eventually becomes visible after you travel more than a kilometer on the road surrounded by verdant pine trees on both sides. From here, there are two ways to get to the monastery: the steep path and the stairway. Many tourists prefer the stairs, which are made of stone and embellished with traditional lamp posts.
2. The history of Thien An Monastery, Hue
The name of this monastery means “peaceful sky”, as “Thien” means sky and “An’’ means peace.
Thien An Monastery is a rare Catholic monastery with Asian architectural features. This monastery was founded by the Benedictines - a monastic religious order following the Rule of Saint Benedict.
Specifically, a father named Wandrille Carrière came to Vietnam in 1935 and chose Da Lat as the location to build the first Benedictine monastery in the country. However, when father Dom Romain Guillaume moved to Vietnam to take over this monastery in 1938, he thought that Da Lat was not an ideal place. Therefore, in 1940, he decided to construct a new monastery in Hue, named Thien An.
Thien An Monastery was destroyed several times throughout the wars and was not rebuilt until 1975. Through many ups and downs of Vietnamese history, the monastery still retains its romantic beauty, attracting many young people to visit and take photos.
3. The stunning architecture of Thien An Monastery
3.1. The scenic road to Thien An Monastery
Thien An Monastery, which is situated on top of a secluded hill in Hue, is an ideal choice for those looking for a peaceful place to unwind. The twisting road to Thien An Monastery will captivate every traveler with a picturesque sight of pine trees swaying in the wind. Like the pine forests in Da Lat, they make a beautiful landscape of romance and tranquility.
Along the way, you can enjoy the chilly atmosphere while being surrounded by the cool wind and mist. The weather at the hill is very mild and comfortable, although it can get rather cold on rainy days.
3.2. Thien An Monastery
Thien An Monastery offers a magnificent sight to behold. The architecture and exterior decoration of the monastery are a blend between Catholic and Asian design features.
The highlight of Thien An Monastery is a tower to the right of the main building. This tower much resembles the renowned Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue. It is still unclear why there is such a resemblance in a Catholic monastery.
Thien An Monastery is a living place for monks, who spend most of their time praying in the chapel. Inside, there is a statue of Jesus, multiple rows of chairs, and an aisle in the middle.
Thien An Monastery impresses many young tourists with its charming beauty, verdant pine forests, meandering roads, and chilly weather, making it a mini version of the romantic Da Lat city. Some couples have chosen this site as the place to take their wedding photos.
4. Awesome places to visit near Thien An Monastery
- The Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh
About more than 2 kilometers away from Thien An Monastery, Khai Dinh Tomb is one of the most exquisite mausoleums in Hue. This last architectural work of the Nguyen Dynasty amazes tourists with its sophisticated design, magnificent natural scenery, and great historical values.
- Vong Canh Hill
With a flawless beauty of the landscape, Vong Canh Hill is known as the best location to watch the breathtaking sunset in Hue. Here, visitors can enjoy very pleasant weather in contrast to the hot air in the city center. As this destination is only 7 kilometers away from the city center, you should come here by motorbike to freely enjoy the view along the way.
- The Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc
With a delicate architectural design, Tu Duc Tomb was built to represent the power of the kings of the Nguyen Dynasty. Here, the captivating beauty of vast lotus ponds, narrow bridges, and numerous pagodas and temples will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on visitors. This attraction is only about 5 kilometers away from Thien An Monastery.
5. Where to stay when visiting Thien An Monastery?
As Hue is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam, this ancient city offers a variety of accommodation options, from budget hotels to luxurious ones. In addition, a tour in Central Vietnam often includes Hue, Hoi An, and Da Nang, as they are all prominent destinations located near each other. So, if you are going to visit the bustling Da Nang city or the ancient Hoi An town, it is recommended that you book a room at a top-rated hotel or resort, such as the properties of Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An:
Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An brings travelers idyllic rooms with stunning beach views. The vast resort is an ideal place for family vacations, weddings, or team-building events.
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In addition to Thien An Monastery Hue and other appealing attractions in Hoi An and Da Nang, do not miss out on VinWonders Nam Hoi An - a perfect spot for a family outing situated near the ancient town. This top-rated amusement park offers you a wide range of thrilling games, exciting shows, adventurous activities, and especially the first River Safari in Vietnam with precious animal species from all over the world.
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Thien An Monastery has a peculiar allure that will make any visitor feel as if they are entering a magical world where time stands still. Thus, this Vietnam monastery should be on the top of your travel bucket list. Whether you are a believer or not, this monastery will promisingly bring you many memorable experiences.
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