Thay Pagoda

Thay Pagoda was founded in the 11th century by ascetic Zen monk Tu Dao Hanh, who was also the founder of water-puppetry in Vietnam. A ten-minute climb up the mountain behind the pagoda brings you to the cave (Dong Thanh Hoa) where Tu Dao Hanh meditated.  

The entrance to the cave is guarded, of course, by a fierce dragon,

protected by a tiny porcelain Quán Âm (Guan Yin),

and lined with four Plumeria trees that, I am told, were planted in the 15th century. The latter were probably my favorites.