Huyên Không Sỏn Thương

West of the city of Huê, in the foothills of the mountains, lies one of the most peaceful and placid places I have ever been.  It is a pagoda, but unlike most pagodas around Huê, it is not ancient.  It is fairly new, and most of the money to build it came from Viet Kieu – overseas Vietnamese.  It is a place where families go for picnics, and young couples to stroll.   I was shown this out-of-the-way place by two of my first year students.

As always, be sure to click on the picture to see a larger version.

The place is lush – and very well tended.  The entrance to the main pagoda ushers you to a small bridge over a stream.  In the background you can see the main building, which is flanked by two smaller structures.  The whole scene exudes serenity.  Looking into the main pagoda, where the monks meditate early in the morning, one sees richly finished wood, and an altar.

The remainder of the grounds is quite large – there is a pond with a small island, and it is normal to see the monks out tending the area.  There is even a small bamboo bridge – sometimes called a “monkey bridge” because of the dexterity needed to use it – that can add a little fun to the day’s walk.

But the pagoda is about serenity – and meditation.  Its everywhere you look.

Comments

Is there a posted weight limit on the monkey bridge or do I wear a swimsuit as I walk it?

[Duong Lam Anh]

I have heard about this pagoda since its beginning as a very small place of worship though I have never been there. Can’t imagine it is like this now. I especially like your last shot of the red hut on the lake surrounded with the lush wood. What a view! Were that Thoreau’s Walden Pond? Sort of. As far as I know, Huyen Khong Son Thuong was created by a monk originally from Huyen Kong Pagoda, further up Thien Mu. I think you shoud drop by to complete your Huyen Khong tour…

[Brian]

Great post Doug. What a wonderfully serene and enchanting atmosphere the last two photographs evoke. And, maybe it is just `me' but, there is a most wonderful `elegant economy' (beauty)in the bamboo bridge itself. So `simple', so aesthetically `right', and yet so functional. Delightful place.

What's the heads-up on you guys leaving Hue? Is that temporary or what? Hope you will promise to keep this blog going, wherever you both may be.

Thanks for sharing such evocotive photographs.

[Miss Kitty]

What a gorgeous place to visit. It even *looks* peaceful from the photos; it must be very lovingly tended.

I, too, wondered (and giggled) about a bathing suit as required wear for crossing the "monkey bridge." I am afraid my uncoordinated butt might be in the water rather quickly. Note to self: work on balance and physical coordination before traveling out of country. [grin]

[Miss July]

Cool place, Doug. I never saw it. Looks so lush and foreign- not really like Hue at all, but I can still imagine it in Vietnam.

[Andy vule]

hi

[dan]

amazing place, im glad you found it too. when i visited vietnam this past spring, i met a local from hue, and she took me around to all the great spots in and around town. this place was the best. if you hike a little bit up the hillside, theres another pagoda with an incredible view of the pond below and the surrounding valley.