Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong)

"Perfume Pagoda is a complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built in the Hương Tich mountain. This is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Vietnam. I visted this place few years ago and have some notes below:
- There is a bus from My Dinh bus station to Perfume Pagoda. The bus will stop at the main road and you can walk abt 2 km from bus stop to the tourist center of Perfume Pagoda that nearby the Ben Duc boat whaft. You buy ticket here and don't forget to get a leaflet to know abt attractions.
- The only way to reach Perfume pagoda is by boat and on the way there, the boat will stop at some spots for tourists to have a look. The ticket price includes boat service, but you must share the boat with others and have to wait the boat full (5-6 people) to start the trip. If you want to rent an entire boat for yourself, ask the staff in ticket counter for the price. If you share the boat, you just can visit some main destinations on the tour, and if you don't know people who share the boat with you, it is quite inconvenient abt the time. But if you rent the entire boat, you can discuss with the boatman abt where you want to visit and you are not be rushed by others.
- Thien Tru Pagoda and Huong Tich Cave (named "The Most Beautiful Cave Under the Southern Sky") are the 2 must-visit on this trip. From Perfume Pagoda to Huong Tich Cave, you can take a cable car or walk up the mountain. I recommend walking up because it is quite easy with the staircase, just abt 30-60 min and there are some spots you can visit on the way. If you take cable car, you will skip them.
- If you can speak Vietnamese, you can chat with locals and hear some intertesting folktales abt the sacredness of this place. I personally, can felt it by myself, so be mindful of your words and your behavior here. Many couples struggling with infertility come here to pray for a child.
- First 3 months of lunar year is pilgrimage season and Perfume Pagoda Festival is one of the Vietnam’s largest Buddhist celebration, so has many activities to enjoy. Though, if you are nt a pilgrim and don't like long crowds and long lines, you should avoid these months. The best time to visit is the fall (Aug -Oct), weather is great, not too crowded and can see a lot of blooming lotus, water lilies on the river.
- If you want to visit some main attractions and explore the other surrounding temples, it will take a whole day, you should start your trip in the early morning."

Han Nguyen

"Huong Pagoda, set among the mountains and rivers about 60 kilometers from Hanoi, is one of the most famous spiritual sites in Vietnam. The journey itself is part of the experience—you take a boat ride along a peaceful river lined with limestone cliffs before reaching the pagoda complex.

The main cave temple is impressive, with natural rock formations combined with sacred shrines, creating a unique atmosphere that feels both majestic and serene. During festival season, it can be very crowded, but outside of that time, the area is calm and offers beautiful scenery.

If you’re looking for a mix of cultural exploration, spiritual atmosphere, and natural beauty, Huong Pagoda is worth the trip."

jay zhou

"A must do while you are in Hanoi! First you need to take a boat trip to the entrance of the temple. From there, a cable car is available to take you to the top of the mountain where the main temple is inside the cave. Words cannot explain the feeling you will have when you are up there. Definitely recommended unforgettable experience!"

Elahie Fereshte