Thuy Van is a small mountain near Tu Hien estuary, in Hien An village, Vinh Hien commune, Phu Loc district, some 60 kilometers from the center of Hue city. It looks like a green oasis in the middle of Cau Hai lagoon. This mountain is home to hundreds-of-year-old precious trees. The mountain is well-known for sightseeing and a popular destination for spring trip.

The view from Thuy Van Mountain overlooking the sea taken by photographer Nguyen Phong, who lives in Hue city, during his spring trip on February 5. Thanh Duyen Pagoda is a highlight on Thuy Van Mountain.

Hundreds of stone steps leading to Thanh Duyen Pagoda among the rows of trees creates a sense of peace. The pagoda gate is designed as a three-door gate, a typical Buddhist structure under the Nguyen Dynasty.

From Dieu Ngu Tower atop the mountain, one can view the whole Cau Hai lagoon surrounded by Ngu Phong range. The 15-meter high tower was built in one block of bricks, with three tiers. Photographer Phong said that the scenery of mountains, clouds and sky here is like a watercolor painting.

Dieu Ngu Tower bears the strong architecture imprint of the Nguyen Dynasty. Its main gate was built with bricks and surrounded by lime mortar walls. The middle of the gate arch is carved with the name of the tower in Chinese.

Tien Sang Temple behind Dieu Ngu Tower is a place for visitors to rest after visiting the temple.

Next to the main hall of Thanh Duyen Pagoda stands an old stone stele on which four royal poems composed by King Minh Mang in praise of the beauty of Thuy Van Mountain, Thanh Duyen Pagoda, Dai Tu Pavillion and Dieu Ngu Tower were engraved.

The main hall of Thanh Duyen Pagoda is designed with three rooms and two wings, and five entrances in the front. The main hall is dedicated to worshiping Buddha, and its left and right wings are fore worshiping 18 Arhats. Venerable Thich Minh Chinh, head monk of Thanh Duyen Pagoda, said that the pagoda still preserves many valuable exhibits, such as bronze bells, stone steles and many rare ancient statues.

At the foot of Thuy Van mountain stands Cau Hai lagoon, part of Tam Giang lagoon - the largest brackish water ecosystem in Southeast Asia, covering 22,000 hectares. Photographer Nguyen Phong suggests visitors come here to “hunt” for sunrise, sunset and experience waterway life. Tourists can join fishermen in catching aqua-products and enjoy local specialties made from brackish water fish and shrimp. If traveling from Hue city, tourists can choose Thuan An direction, then driving some 40 kilometers along the coast to reach Thuy Van Mountain. Another option is to drive along National Highway 1A, and turn left at North end of Phuoc Tuong tunnel, and go further some 10 kilometers along National Highway 49B to reach the mountain.