Bamboo Forest Meditation Centre

Set in a bamboo forest on the outskirts of Dalat, Thien Vien Truc Lam (Bamboo Forest Meditation Centre) was built in 1993 with donations from Vietnamese living in other countries – mainly America.

It is a Zen Buddist monastery with 90 monks and 100 nuns in residence.

A large hall contains a statue of Buddah holding a lotus flower, and the alter is covered in lotus paraphernalia.

Sitting on top of a hill overlooking Paradise Lake it is very peaceful.

Solemn Sign

Sign outside Dai Hung Temple in the grounds of Chua Thien Mu (Celestial Lady Pagoda), on Perfume River, Hue.

Sung An Temple

These photos were taken in and around the Sung An (Temple of Infinite Grace), in Minh Mang's Tomb, Hue. This temple held his most prized possessions and the Chinese inscriptions on the stela detailed his merits and accomplishments including his 142 children.

These photos below are a view of the temple through the Hien Duc Gate.

You can gather by now how much I love doorways and windows!!

Thong Minh Mang

In my opinion this is the most stunning of the Ngyen tombs outside Hue. Minh Mang reigned from 1820 to 1841

Three thousand soldiers and laborers worked on the tomb in 1840. After he died his son enlisted 9 000 soldiers and workers to finish the job. The King had 142 offspring so I guess he was quite pleased to eventually be lying in peace.

A 10 ft/3 m high wall runs around 40 buildings in a beautiful park setting.

This is Thong Minh Chinh Truc Bridge over the Ton Nguyet Lake.

Views across the lake from the Stela Pavilion

Painted ceiling of the Stela Pavillion