[Photos] Lam Dong’s Japanese-Inspired Temple Trashed by Tet Visitors

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February 5, 2017

One of Vietnam’s most remote temples has fallen victim to severe vandalism by thoughtless tourists.

Just before Tet, Saigoneer featured Linh Quy Phap An, a mesmerizing monastery based deep in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. The temple had managed to stay fairly secluded until recently when local pop sensation Son Tung M-TP decided to film part of his latest music video in Linh Quy Phap An’s beautiful courtyard.

Since then, the Buddhist venue has been receiving a lot of attention from local tourists all over the country, especially during the week of Tet when hordes of visitors flocked to Linh Quy Phap An, leaving behind a trail of trash and damaged facilities.

According to Zing, some even climbed onto the lap of Buddha statues to take selfies and trampled over the rock garden. Phap An, a monk at the temple, told Zing in an interview that Linh Quy Phap An has been existed for 12 years, but only began receiving visitors in the last eight months.

Since the crowds have grown bigger recently, the monks had to start paying a local to transport trash for collection.

“As [Buddhist monks], we believe in loving everybody,” he said in Vietnamese. “We have welcomed many photographers and wedding couples in the past without any reluctance.”

He added: “I hope everyone is mindful of the quietness and cleanliness of the spiritual house. We’re always open to visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature.”