Buzz
Situated approximately 65km from central Hanoi, Perfume Pagoda is a temple complex nestled in Huong Son commune, My Duc district. It's a destination frequented by many pilgrims seeking blessings for their families during festivals.
Visiting the pagoda to pray for peace has become a quintessential cultural tradition of the Vietnamese people. Every lunar new year, individuals across the country make pilgrimages back to the Buddhist land, to Perfume Pagoda, to pay respects to the Buddha at the beginning of the year, purifying their souls and immersing themselves in the beauty of the mountains, rivers, and landscapes.
Perfume Pagoda harmoniously blends with the majestic mountains (Photo credit: Unknown)
The inception of Hương Pagoda dates back to ancient times, shrouded in mystical tales and historical anecdotes.
Commonly referred to as 'Huong Pagoda,' the site is officially known as Hương Sơn, an expansive cultural complex nestled along the banks of the Đáy River, situated in Hương Sơn Commune, Mỹ Đức District, Hanoi.
Housed at the heart of Hương Sơn, Huong Pagoda, originally established in the late 17th century, underwent near-complete devastation during the resistance against French colonial forces in 1947. Reconstruction efforts, guided by the revered monk Thích Thanh Chân, commenced in 1988.
2. Architectural Marvels
The architectural ensemble of Huong Pagoda is scattered across the Yen Stream valley, comprising the Outer Pagoda and the Inner Pagoda.
Ascending from Đục Pier along the Yen Stream, visitors reach the Outer Pagoda, commonly known as the Amusement Pagoda. The Outer Pagoda boasts a triple gatehouse set upon three vast paved courtyards, along with a three-tiered bell tower erected in the third courtyard. The most distinctive feature of this architectural complex lies in the protruding triangular eaves at the highest tier, emblematic of ancient architectural styles.
Differing from the man-made architectural complex of the Outer Pagoda, the Inner Pagoda has its origins in a natural cave. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by an inscription at the cave entrance reading 'Huong Tich Cave Gate,' alongside a stone-paved pathway consisting of 120 steps leading into the cave. Historical inscriptions endure here, notably the five Chinese characters 'Nam Thien De Nhat Dong' carved by Emperor Trịnh Sâm in 1770.
In addition to its spiritual allure, Huong Pagoda captivates visitors with its surrounding natural scenery. Yen Stream, with its perennial flow and crystal-clear water, alongside lush foliage throughout the four seasons, has made this place a beloved scenic spot for many during their visits to Huong Pagoda. The boat ticket prices are also incredibly affordable, at just 50,000 VND per person for the Huong Tich ferry ride.
Sitting aboard a small wooden boat drifting along the stream, visitors can admire the beauty of different flowers each season. Whether it's the vibrant red hue of rice flowers in summer, the dreamy pale purple of bauhinia flowers in late autumn, or the pure white blossoms of ban flowers and plum blossoms heralding the arrival of spring, the dock by the small stream is always bustling with visitors.
Vivid red of rice flowers (Photo: Collector)
Autumn bauhinia blossoms (Photo: Collector)
Plum blossoms blooming every spring (Photo: Collector)
3. Huong Pagoda Festival
Visitors to Huong Pagoda come from far and wide, some merely for sightseeing, but once here, almost everyone lights a joss stick, offers a prayer for peace and prosperity to their friends, relatives, and family. However, the most bustling time is during the Huong Pagoda Festival. Streams of people converge from all directions, with small boats lining up one after another, moving along the Yen Stream. The Huong Pagoda Festival is considered the longest festival of the year, lasting for 3 months, from the 6th day of the lunar calendar to the end of the 3rd month.
The festival features incense offerings, religious ceremonies, as well as cultural performances to entertain visitors from near and far. Each year, approximately 1.5 million tourists flock to Huong Pagoda to partake in the festivities. The current ticket price for visiting the entire heritage site is 78,000 VND per person (excluding a 2,000 VND/person insurance fee). The main routes you can choose when visiting here are Thien Tru – Huong Tich, Long Van, Tuyet Son, Thanh Son, and more.
Crowds heading towards Huong Pagoda (Photo: Collector)
Huong Pagoda Festival (Photo: Collector)
Main shrine of Huong Tich Pagoda (Photo: Collector)
Huong Pagoda emanates incense all year round, serving as not only a tourist attraction but also a spiritual destination for many, those seeking solace in Buddhism. If you happen to visit this place, remember to share your impressions with VNTRIP.VN.
