Discover 9 Tips for Visiting the Perfume Pagoda Festival, Learn How to Purchase Offerings and Seek Fortune

The Perfume Pagoda Festival is a significant event in Vietnam, located in My Duc, Hanoi. Situated within the Huong Son scenic area, it's considered a pilgrimage to a Buddhist land where the Quan The Am Bodhisattva practices enlightenment. This festival draws millions of pilgrims annually. As spring arrives, plum blossoms adorn the Huong Son mountains, attracting pilgrims and visitors from all directions to the Perfume Pagoda. It's a journey to a land rich in Buddhist traditions and spiritual culture.

The Perfume Pagoda Festival takes place in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi. Designated as a national monument on April 8, 1962, by the Ministry of Culture (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) under Decision No. 313 VH/VP. Locals and visitors colloquially refer to it as visiting the Perfume Pagoda, as per 'The Legend of Perfume Pagoda,' where it's recognized as the dwelling of Quan The Am Bodhisattva and is Vietnamese-ized and called the Perfume Pagoda. The festival begins on the 6th day of the Lunar New Year and lasts until the end of the third lunar month.

The Perfume Pagoda is renowned not only for its scenic beauty but also for its cultural and religious significance to the Vietnamese people. Unlike any other place, the Perfume Pagoda consists of numerous temples and caves nestled amidst mountains and forests, forming a vast landscape with harmonious architecture blending with nature. Nature has bestowed upon this place serene mountains, rivers, and lakes, which humans have adorned with marvels, making it vibrant, vivid, and colorful. This has shaped a cultural aspect of the nation, representing Buddhist religious beliefs. Perhaps over centuries, this cultural aspect has deeply ingrained itself in the psyche of every Vietnamese, as they visit the Perfume Pagoda, aiming to offer their prayers. Before such a scenic wonder, Kings, Lords, and scholars have lavished praise. In 1770, Lord Trinh Sam inscribed five characters on the entrance of Huong Tich cave: 'The Most Beautiful Cave in the Southern Sky' and 'Marvelous Mountains and Water.' Many poets have penned verses here, including Chu Manh Trinh, Cao Ba Quat, Xuan Dieu, Che Lan Vien, Ho Xuan Huong, among others. The Perfume Pagoda is not merely a regional treasure but also a national monument and a cultural and spiritual heritage of the Vietnamese people, embodying the continuous development of Buddhist cultural beliefs from ancient times to the present day.

It's often said that visiting a temple is incomplete without offerings. However, not everyone knows the proper etiquette and significance of these offerings. Whether the offerings are abundant or minimal, their value shouldn't be measured in monetary terms. It's a misconception to believe that more offerings lead to greater fulfillment of wishes. The essence lies in one's sincerity. Those with pure hearts will be blessed regardless of the size or grandeur of their offerings, whereas insincere offerings, no matter how lavish, will yield no results.

Let's briefly discuss the preparation of offerings. Offerings typically include flowers, fruits, incense, and candles, with fragrant incense being the most important. Offerings should be fresh and vibrant, without signs of withering or decay. It's crucial to avoid stale or wilted items, as they symbolize neglect. Offerings should be vegetarian, with minimal use of salty items, unless instructed otherwise by a master. Some individuals offer gold, silver, or real money, but this practice is strictly prohibited and considered a serious mistake. It disrupts the sanctity of the temple and diminishes the sincerity of the offering.

Spanning three months at the beginning of the year and commencing on the 6th day of the Lunar New Year, devotees and Buddhists flock to Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi to partake in the Perfume Pagoda Festival. The main festivities occur from the 1st to the 18th day of the second lunar month, during which the influx of devotees, pilgrims, and curious visitors is at its peak. They immerse themselves in the current of faith and belief in this Buddhist land.

Over the years, the festival organizers have implemented various measures to ensure the security and orderliness of the event, despite the increasing number of participants. Everyone hopes to set foot in this land of Buddha, offering incense, prayers, or simply releasing their souls into this peaceful and serene place.

Similar to other temples, the rituals here are simple and primarily focused on meditation. Outside the temple, various mountain deities are worshipped, representing the diverse colors of Daoism. The Den Cua Vong is dedicated to the Supreme Goddess Thượng Nàn, who governs the surrounding forests and mountains, known as the 'Red jade goddess' of the supreme mountain deity. The Bac Dai Temple, Tuyet Son Temple, Ca Temple, and Quan Temple worship the Five Tigers and local deities.

The Interior Temple offers incense, flowers, candles, lamps, fruits, and vegetarian food. The temple prepares these offerings at the beginning of the festival, while devotees bring their own offerings according to their preparations and pay respects with sincerity, strictly adhering to the rules of offering and varying based on the deity worshipped. Throughout the festival, monks alternate in reciting scriptures and paying homage to the Buddha. Devotees light incense and offer prayers with deep reverence, conveying their wishes and desires to the Buddha. The fragrance of incense fills the temple throughout the festival.

Choosing attire for temple visits is a topic of concern and discussion for many. The Perfume Pagoda Festival and other temples are sacred places of worship, so dressing appropriately is essential. Devotees often opt for attire that matches the color of Buddha's robes, typically in brown or soft, subtle tones. In the northern region where this festival takes place, traditional Vietnamese dresses or four-panel dresses are suitable, reflecting purity and enhancing the beauty of Vietnamese women.

Outfits that are revealing, flashy, or short, such as denim shorts or miniskirts, are not appropriate for this festival. Some temples have provided robes for visitors to cover themselves when entering the temple, but this is only a temporary solution. Each person should prepare their own appropriate attire, reflecting their reverence for the occasion.

The Perfume Pagoda is located 62 kilometers southwest of the capital, Hanoi, in Huong Son commune, My Duc district. Based on the distribution of scenic spots, four tour routes have been established. Spanning across these routes—Huong Tich, Tuyet Son, Long Van, and Thanh Son—the busiest period is from the 15th to the 20th of February (main festival).

Routes within the Huong Son scenic area:

• Huong Tich Route: Trinh Temple – Thien Tru Pagoda – Tien Son Cave – Giac Oan Pagoda – Tran Song Temple – Huong Tich Cave – Hinh Bong Pagoda.
• Thanh Son Route: Thanh Son Pagoda – Huong Dai Cave
• Long Van Route: Long Van Pagoda – Long Van Cave – Sung Sam Cave
• Tuyet Son Route: Bao Dai Pagoda – Ca Pagoda Cave – Tuyet Son Cave

Stepping into the land of Buddha, apart from the solemn rituals, the festival is also a factor attracting numerous Buddhists to participate. The majestic and tranquil mountains create a sense of relaxation and tranquility. The path to Perfume Pagoda is bustling with hundreds of boats, offering an enjoyable experience as they cruise through the mystical mountains, feeling as if they are entering the realm of Buddhas. People integrate into the mountainous landscape and begin a new journey - the journey of mountain climbing. Climbing mountains, exploring caves and grottoes. The mountain climbing adventure creates in people a sense of expectation, a desire to reach beauty.

And the anticipation of beauty will surely make people feel more joyful and loving towards life. The laughter and captured moments never cease, leaving behind beautiful memories of a festival in which every Buddhist has participated. The mountain path from the Outer Pagoda to the Inner Pagoda is always bustling, attracting a large number of participants to the festival.

Some tips for visiting Perfume Pagoda festival:

• Dress modestly and comfortably for easy movement.
• Dispose of trash properly, maintain cleanliness, and protect the environment.
• Keep your belongings safe as the festival can be crowded and attract pickpockets.
• Travel in groups to save on ferry fares.
• Carry cash in advance as currency exchange services may result in loss.
• Bring some offerings for the temple to avoid overpriced purchases.
• Ensure safety when traveling by ferry or hiking.
• In case of emergency, seek help from nearby individuals or call the festival organizer's hotline.
• Avoid purchasing excessive items along the way to Perfume Pagoda.
• Avoid participating in gambling games such as guessing games and fortune-telling, as they may involve scams.

Perfume Pagoda is a Vietnamese cultural and religious complex located in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi. It is 60km from Hanoi, and the journey takes about 2 hours by car.

How to get to Perfume Pagoda by car and motorbike:

• Option 1: Take Nguyen Trai Street towards Ha Dong, then turn left at Ba La intersection towards Van Dinh. Drive about 40km to Te Tieu, and from there, ask locals for directions to Perfume Pagoda.
• Option 2: Take National Highway 1A, Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway, then turn right at Dong Van intersection onto National Road 38 towards Cho Dau for about 15km to reach Perfume Pagoda. This road is only for cars. Upon arrival, you'll need to take a boat for about 1 hour through the Yen stream valley, then walk or take a cable car to reach Perfume Pagoda.
• How to get to Perfume Pagoda by bus: Take bus 211, Route: My Dinh Bus Station - Pham Hung - Khuat Duy Tien - Nguyen Trai - Tran Phu - Quang Trung - National Highway 6 - Ba La Intersection - National Road 21B - Te Tieu (Dai Nghia town). You can catch bus 211 at My Dinh station or take routes 01, 02, 39, 27 to Ba La or Tran Phu to catch the bus.