Hon Chen Temple

Hon Chen Temple (Dien Hon Chen) is a historic temple complex on Ngoc Tran Mountain on the bank of the Perfume River in Huong Ho Ward, Huong Tra Town, Hue. Originally a Cham shrine dedicated to Goddess Po Nagar, it was later adopted into Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship as Thien Y A Na. Expanded under the Nguyen Dynasty, it is notable for its riverside setting, traditional architecture, and major annual festivals.

Visitors reach the temple by boat on the Perfume River followed by a climb up stone steps to a hillside complex. Expect multiple shrines, altars, ornate decorations, incense offerings, and courtyards set against forested hills and river views. The site includes the main hall dedicated to Thien Y A Na, smaller worship halls, and ceremonial spaces. The surroundings are tranquil with river scenery and forested slopes.

The site was originally a Cham temple dedicated to Goddess Po Nagar. With Vietnamese settlement, it was assimilated as the temple of Thien Y A Na. The Nguyen Dynasty renovated and expanded the complex, with major construction under Emperor Minh Mang in 1834 and further restoration under Emperor Dong Khanh in 1886, who associated the temple with his own story and renamed it Huong Ngoc Temple.

Hon Chen Temple is one of the most important centers of Mother Goddess worship (Dao Mau) in central Vietnam, dedicated to Thien Y A Na (the Vietnamese form of Po Nagar). It hosts two major annual festivals on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month and in the 7th lunar month, featuring processions, offerings, and traditional rituals attracting pilgrims from across the region.