Buddhist Temple in Da Nang, Vietnam by Hendrik-Jan Kornelis

This Buddhist temple is situated near the coast in North Da Nang, in central Vietnam.

Every temple has something special about it. In this case, it’s the "kunst" pink lilacs in the trees. A visit to a temple here is a social occasion. Free water, tea and fruit are available to anyone who needs them. If you’re looking for a supportive conversation, you’ll find a willing ear among the monks. There is a sense of tranquillity here, and it radiates from the place. It’s well maintained, even though it’s situated in what is almost a slum area.

Da Nang borders Huế to the north, Quảng Nam to the west and south, and the South China Sea to the east. The city centre of Da Nang lies 764 km south of Hanoi, 964 km north of Ho Chi Minh City and 108 km south-east of the former Vietnamese capital, Huế.

The city centre and the harbour lie at the southern end of a bay bounded to the east by the Tien Sa peninsula and Cape Đà Nẵng. Half of Đà Nẵng is flat, whilst the other half is mountainous. The mountains are concentrated in the west and north-west, from where many mountain ranges run down to the sea. Along the coast, there is a mix of low hills and narrow beaches. The mountainous area covers a large part of the municipality. Elevations range from 700 to 1,500 metres, and this is the part of the municipality characterised by forests and natural landscapes. The coastal plain is inhabited and built up.