Hue is loaded with pagodas, but if you can only fit one pagoda in your scheduled trip, then make it Thien Mu. It is a beautiful structure located along the north bank of the Perfume River, designed with golden Buddha images at the base, and contains a huge bell and a stone turtle holding a marble stele. But what sets Thien Mu apart is its impact on modern history: in 1963, a monk from this pagoda traveled to Saigon and immolated himself in protest of American involvement in the country’s affairs. This shocking image was broadcast throughout the world and became one of the lasting symbols of the Vietnam War. The motorcar he used is on display in a sanctuary at the back of the area.