Located on the Son Tra peninsula, 10 km northeast of Da Nang city, Linh Ung pagoda, with its famous architecture is worth visiting. Linh Ung literally means “wishes answered miraculously”. At nearly 200m above sea level, this 20 hectare pagoda offers a magnificent view of the sea and the city of Da Nang. Venerable Thich Thien Nguyen, the pagoda’s manager says that in the reign of King Minh Mang, local fishermen discovered a statue of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy on the beach. After that, a temple dedicated to the goddess was built on the site. Since then, local residents have enjoyed peaceful and prosperous lives. During the anti-American war, the Buddha statue and pagoda were almost totally destroyed. It was not until 2004 that the Venerable Thich Thien Nguyen mobilized donations from Buddhist followers from near and far to rebuild the pagoda. 6 years later, the construction of the pagoda was completed. Linh Ung pagoda is now a symbol of the rise of Buddhism in VN in the 21st century. Venerable Thich Thien Nguyen talked to us about the name of the beach- Bai But- on which the pagoda was built: "Bai means beach, and But means Buddha. Anyone who has an accident or is shipwrecked in the waters nearby will be saved if they drift to this beach”.

When you cross the threshold of Ling Ung pagoda, it is like entering a fairytale. In the courtyard are 18 Arhat statues that represent different emotions such as love, hate, happiness, and anger. This is also a venue for local craftsmen to show off their talents in carving marble statues. These statues contribute to the architectural uniqueness of Linh Ung pagoda. Ha Minh Quang, a tourist from Hanoi, says: "This is the first time we’ve come here. This pagoda is the most sacred. It is surrounded by a beautiful landscape, mountain and sea. It’s very romantic. The atmosphere is peaceful. From a distance, we can see the statues. I have never seen a statue as beautiful as this one.

What strikes visitors to Linh Ung pagoda most is the Guanyin statue. The 67-m statue is the tallest in Southeast Asia. The Statue leans on the mountain and looks toward the sea. Guanyin wears a hat that is nothing but a Buddha statue 2m high, which has 17 floors, each housing 21 tiny Buddha statues with different shapes and facial expressions. The omnipresence of the Buddha and the peaceful atmosphere provide the serenity pilgrims seek. Nguyen Thi Phuong, a resident of Da Nang, says: "I come here to pray on the 1st and 15th day of every lunar month. I feel very relaxed. I also just enjoy the scenery"

At night, the statue is illuminated. It radiates like a light house beacon into the sea, guiding the fishermen in storms. Huynh Van To, a fisherman from Quan Tho district, Da Nang, says: "For me, Guanyin is sacred. When we go fishing, our mind turns toward her and we always pray to her for good catches. She watches over us”.

If Linh Ung Pagoda is the most beautiful and sacred pagoda in Vietnam, Buddha beach is the most beautiful beach on Son Tra peninsula. It is a must-see for lovers of ecological tours. Da Nang is popular tourist destination that satisfies your spiritual yearnings in an exceptionally natural setting.

Lan Anh- Le Phuong