Experience to visit Perfume Pagoda in Hanoi Vietnam

Perfume Pagoda Hanoi Experience

After 70 km or 2 hours driving out of Hanoi, you will reach the Perfume Pagoda Vietnam, a group of pagodas and temples located on the limestone rocks of Huong Son Mountain in beautiful and mystical surroundings. It is one of the most popular Hanoi places of interest. When you come here, maybe there is a question "how to get there?". Unlike other temples in Vietnam like Tay Phuong Pagoda, the only way to reach this sanctuary is floating along a narrow but extremely poetic stream by rowing boats, which takes about 45 minutes.

An iron boat can carry 3-5 people and with a large wooden boat, the capacity is up to 20 people. The stream is edged by rice, grass, small paths, and temples here and there. A pilgrim traditionally has to spend three days visiting entirely the area and pray at all the temples.
Foreign tourists who only have limited time, Vietnam 3 days itinerary for example, are suggested to visit some popular pagodas and temples. The first temple they often stop is called Den Trinh (i.e. The Shrine for First Presenting), where Vietnamese burn the first joysticks to inform the local deities about their presence and pray for a good trip and good luck for the new year. If you are too anxious to reach the main Wharf of Huong Son mountain to start the uphill trip to see the Main Grotto of Huong Tich, you may skip this temple, especially in the peak season between January and early April.

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The uphill trip takes an hour climbing on the ancient flat and sometimes slippery stones, which have been here thousand years ago. The road is breathtaking in all aspects – you will have some exercise, and at the same time have chance to take some stops to contemplate beautiful scenery and daily life of local farmers, who plant cassava and apricots in the valleys, who run quickly on the slippery stone with their burdens of tapioca, apricots or medicinal herbs whilst you are careful with your steps.

The main pagoda is set in a huge grotto containing a highly decorative shrine. Each stalactite and stalagmite inside, which are soaked by the undercurrent, is combined with a legend about its miracle and good luck. Most of them became small shrines by now. Remember that the stone grotto is huge and very cool, so stop for a while at the entrance to dry your sweat before coming in.

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Perfume Pagoda Hanoi Festival

The main festive days of Perfume Pagoda Hanoi stretches from January to early April with a busy and exciting atmosphere.  Many traditional performances are well presented. Besides, sometimes it's drizzling and the Vietnamese all believe that the real good things will reach you if you catch rainwater after praying in a sacred pagoda. However, if you are to enjoy the quiet moments, this time is not suggested. 

And among all the sacred temples and pagodas in Northern Vietnam, Perfume Pagoda Festival is even more attractive and mysterious not only for its spectacular scenery but also for the painstaking road you passed over to reach the top.