Located in Le Ngo Cat street (Thuy Xuan ward, Hue city), the road leading to Tu Duc tomb, Tu Hieu pagoda is considered as a place of interest. Formerly, Tu Hieu pagoda was An Duong hermitage founded by Most Venerable Nhat Dinh. This was the place where many eunuchs of Nguyen dynasty took refuge. In 1848 (one year after the Most Venerable passed away), eunuchs donated money and had the pagoda constructed. At the time, this three-compartment two-wing structure has wooden frame and tile roof. There was a house called "Lac Nghia" on the right and a house called "Ai Nhat" on the left. The pagoda was granted "Sac tu Tu Hieu tu" board by Emperor Tu Duc.
According to a legend, Emperor Tu Duc had the pagoda named Tu Hieu as the Emperor was moved by the filial piety that Most Venerable Nhat Dinh showed to his mother. It is said that the Most Venerable ignored rumors to prepare meals from fishes for his mother who was sick.
During renovations carried out in 1894 and 1895, many additional structures were built, for example front hall, guest house, back house and pagoda stele. These formed traditional "口" shaped architecture. In 1931, the pagoda was renovated and replaced by concrete structure. A two-story three-entrance gate was built while a crescent lake was digged in front of the pagoda gate to breed fishes, grow lotus and water lilies.
The pagoda is about 50.000m2 wide. In front of the pagoda locates pine forest and streams. There is an ancient Bodhi tower which was constructed in 1896. It once housed ritual items, statues and scriptures. To the east of the pine forest locates the tomb of Chieu Nghi Tran Thi Xa with an ancient stele. It is the only tomb of Nguyen Lord family to be not destroyed by Tay Son dynasty. There are two hexagon stele houses in the pagoda's yards. The tomb tower of Most Venerable To Nhat Dinh and the cemetery of eunuchs under Nguyen dynasty were also located in the pagoda.
Behind Tu Hieu pagoda's gate (photo: internet)
(Source: Geography book - Culture chapter - 2020)