Mui Ne is a popular tourist destination in the southern part of Vietnam, located close to Ho Chi Minh City. But the small resort town is gaining fame as a superb tourist locale in its own right, and it is home to a fascinating array of sights that offer a unique glimpse into Vietnamese culture. Visitors to this cultural enclave looking for a star-class Vietnam hotel will rest easy at the laidback yet elegant trappings of the Anantara Mui Ne Rest & Spa. Offering all guests a spa experience like none other, this resort in Mui Ne opens a holistic world of possibilities designed to pamper and spoil. After some welcome relaxation, venture out the city of Hue close by, and absorb some of the town’s spiritual centres to complement your wellness experience. The Thien Mu Pagoda, built by the famous Nguyen Lords, is a historic temple in Hue, which served as the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. The pagoda towers at an impressive height of seven stories, and it is the tallest in Vietnam. It stands as an unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital of Hue.
Since its construction in 1601, the pagoda has seen many additions to its structure and surroundings by various Hue lords of the Nguyen Dynasty who desired to pay tribute to this resplendent symbol of the dynasty’s era. In 1710, Lord Phuc Chu ordered the construction of a giant bell that was recognized as one of Vietnam’s most valuable cultural treasures of the time. Audible from 10km away, the bell was the subject of songs and poems composed by the Nguyen lord who rules during the 1840s. Emperor Thieu Tri constructed the Tu Nhan Tower in 1844, now known as the Phuoc Duen Tower. Standing at seven stories tall, each of which is dedicated to a different Buddha, this iconic structure has become an unmistakable landmark on the Hue skyline, one that is synonymous with the Perfume River. The temple contains the statue of a huge marble turtle, which is a symbol of longevity, and the main hall houses a statue of the Maitreya Buddha. It also is home to the famous Austin automobile in which Thich Quang Duc was driven to his self-immolation in 1963 in protest of the Diem regime. His was one of several tragic self-immolations by Buddhist clergy which brought international attention to the plight of Buddhists in Vietnam.
