Vietnam
Travel and Visit Beautiful Vietnam Today!

Written by: Debbie Salcedo
 

Title: "Vietnam's Perfume Pagoda"
About: Travel and Tourism Vietnam

About 60km southwest of Hanoi is a complex of pagodas and Buddhist shrines built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich Mountain (Mountain of the Fragrant Traces) called the Perfume Pagoda.

According to the book, Huong Son Thien Tru Pha, Huong Tich temple was built during the reign of Le Chinh Hoa (1680-1705), by a monk who happened on the site on his way to search for enlightenment. Other shrines and temples were later built in this area to take advantage of the beautiful scenery in this area.

Every spring, after the Vietnamese New Year, thousands of Vietnamese pilgrims come here to pray for all the health and prosperity they need to get them through the year.

From Chua Thien Chu (Pagoda Leading to Heaven), a path winds uphill to the Perfume Pagoda itself, with refreshment stalls along the way. The long walk is worth the effort. On the way pilgrims can wash away some negative karma at the Clearing Unjust Charges stream. Further on are the stalactites and transparent white statues of Tien Pagoda. Pilgrims greet each other with A Di Da Phat, meaning generally "Praise Lord Buddha, may he bring us health and luck".

The Inner Pagoda disappears into Huong Tich cave under the inscription "The most beautiful cave in the South", apparently written over 200 years ago. Inside, statues of Buddha and Boddhisatvas* reside in a cloud of incense and offerings.

The Perfume Pagoda Festival which is also Vietnam’s longest festival, begins in the second lunar month and lasts until the last week of the third lunar month. Most of the time, these dates are approximately during the months of March and April. Weekends also tend to draw huge crowds with tourists, pilgrims, and the inevitable street vendors.

While the complex is accessible by road from Hanoi, visitors may opt to take the more scenic route via the river trip. This entails a two-hour car ride to My Duc followed by an 1 ½ hours boat ride rowed by two women to the foot of the mountain.

The main pagoda which serves as the highlight of the entire complex, may be found about 4km up from where the boat lets off visitors to the complex. If there are any tips visitors wanting to visit the Pagoda should remember, it’s these: Be in good shape and bring good walking shoes.

The path can take up to 2 hours or more to climb and when wet, the ground can get slippery. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are also advisable as shorts are considered disrespectful attire at pagodas.

Traveler’s cafes at Hanoi offer day tours to the pagoda for as little as US$9.00. This includes transport, guide, and a packed lunch with the exclusion of drinks.
 

*boddhisatva - a person seeking enlightenment through the Buddhist way

Visit beautiful Vietnam today!