[2025 Hanoi Attraction] Travel Guide for Huong Pagoda (Updated Jun)

Huong Pagoda on the 3rd day of Tet #adidaphat #anaturalworld

#bucketlistreboot Perfume Pagoda is one of the most important holy site of Buddhists living in Vietnam. It is 60km away from Hanoi that would take 2-4 hours of drive to reach there, first by road and then taking a boat and at last a cable car. It is a vast complex of Buddhist Shrines and temples in a mountain and you will need one day fully to explore the area. The temple complex receives less tourists and more devotees from Vietnam itself. It’s so vast you need to stretch your legs quite a lot climbing stairs while exploring. There is a beautiful limestone cave in the top of the mountain which is worth visiting. If you love to visit religious monuments and are curious about ancient preserved architecture, this is a beautiful monument to visit.

Starting from the Old Quarter, it takes about 1.5 hours by car to reach the Perfume Mountain area, where the enchanting pilgrimage to the Perfume Pagoda begins, filled with spiritual energy and breathtaking natural beauty. From Ben Duc Wharf, you board a small boat that gently glides along the stream. The lush green forests on both sides and the distant rocky peaks reflected on the water create a scene as beautiful as a dynamic ink painting. The first stop is Đền Trình (Trinh Temple), where you report to the mountain gods, officially starting your pilgrimage. Next, the mountain ascent begins. The path is lined with uneven steps and moss-covered stone walls. Despite the sweat dripping down, the occasional sound of bells and birdsong along the way makes it feel as though heaven and earth are guarding this spiritual journey. Upon reaching the main shrine inside the cave, the Perfume Pagoda, the damp mountain walls, swirling incense smoke, and the serene presence of the Guanyin statue create a sacred and tranquil atmosphere. Beside the shrine, there is a spring said to wash away troubles. For the return trip, you can choose to take the cable car down the mountain, offering a panoramic view of the forest and limestone peaks and valleys. The breathtaking scenery provides a light yet awe-inspiring conclusion to this journey.

Onboard out boat with new friends from around the world on our way to the perfume pagoda monument.

Perfume Pagoda. Famous spiritual tourist destination

There is an unpopular scenic spot in Hanoi called Xiang Temple. In the more remote suburbs, this temple needs to take a tin boat when it goes in. Most of the people who come here to play are foreigners. It takes an hour to enter the temple inside. Still very unusual.