A little about the Huong Pagoda Perfume Pagoda
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The Huong Pagoda Perfume Pagoda, located in the Huong Son Commune, My Duc District is one of the largest holy places in Vietnam. A complicated structure of Buddhist pagodas and shrines, which scatter across the foot of the mountain to its peak. There is also an awe-inspiring limestone grotto built into the Huong Mountain. The Huong Pagoda’s heart located inside Huong Tích Cave makes this one of the holiest sites in Vietnam for Buddhists.
A large number of pilgrims visit every day, especially, during the Huong Pagoda Festival. This festival usually starts on the full moon day of the 1st month of the lunar year and finishes on the full moon day of the third lunar month. On attending the Huong Pagoda festival, pilgrims will pray for their prosperity and happiness in the next year. While young couples also visit to pray to secure a loving future. The Huong Pagoda is not only a spiritual place, a religious site but also an in
Let’s start the pilgrimage
Do not leave your camera behind, because one look at this magnificent scenery. It will have you regretting your decision for many years to come.
Pier Duc (Pier Đục) Ben Duc (Bến Đục)
To commence our pilgrimage to the Huong Pagoda Perfume Pagoda, our first fascinating destination on our pilgrimage will be Pier Duc or Ben Duc. It usually takes about a little over two hours to drive from Hanoi to the Ben Dục. At festival time, you will see thousands of rowboats, which are full of visitors. After about a one-hour boat ride from Ben Dục to the Huong Pagoda on Yen Vi Stream, you will experience one some say is the most beautiful part of the journey. This iconic part of Vietnam has been immortalised by Vietnamese post and musicians for centuries.
Yen Vi Stream (Yến Vĩ Stream) Suoi Yen (Suối Yến)
The Yen Vi Stream flows majestically for three kilometers between two giant mountains. The calmness and beauty of this waterway seem to stop time. It almost limitless feel characterized by the draw dropping surrounding scenery. Even though there may be a road between Ben Duc and Huong Mountain, please indulge yourself and sail down this beautiful part of the world and soak up the romance only nature can create.
As you make your way along the Yen Vi, immediately you are engulfed by the vivid green rice paddy fields, juxtaposed by limestone rocks that kiss the bass of the Huong Mountain. Along, your journey, you will experience the wonder of the Phuong Hoang Mountain or as it is commonly called the Phoenix Mountain. Also of note is the Doi Cheo Mountain or Python Mountain, described as such by its almost like Indian python shape. Additionally, the Bung Mountain and Voi Mountain or Elephant Mountain are must-see destinations even just for the fantastic tales and legends that surround their existence.
On the right, as you sail away from your worries, you will see the holy Trình Temple. Pilgrims will stop to burn some incense to the Mountain’s God. Our boat will also pass the Dẹo Mountain, Phong Su Mountain, as well as the Son Thuy Huu Tinh Cave, the Buffalo Cave (“Hang Trâu” in Vietnamese) and Dâu Valley, too.
Thien Tru Pagoda (Thiên Trù Pagoda)
Your fist waterway stop on your pilgrimage will be the Trình Temple. Soon after you will experience the Thien Tru Pagoda or the outer pagoda. This pagoda harks back to the 18th Century in the times of the Le Dynasty. Trien Tru or kitchen of heaven, aptly named for its rock formation which resembles cooks busy working in a kitchen. The Thien Tru Pagoda is also famous for the Tien Thuy Tower, a granite monolith that rises from the ground. This grotto, famous for its five lively granite statues. Take time to not only admire the breathtaking landscapes but the beauty of pagodas here as well.
Huong Tich Grotto (Hương Tích Grotto)
Now it’s time to climb the Huong Mountain to capture some unique insights into Vietnamese culture and soak up some more beautiful sites. As you work your way up the 120 stone steps, you are rewarded by visions of the Huon Tich Grotto. Finally the hint of fragrance. The lush scenery welcomes you to this truly holy place and the inscription “Nam Thiên Đệ Nhất Động” in Han script. (which means most beautiful grotto of the Southern sky) This calligraphic inscription penned by Lord Trịnh Sâm in March of Lunar moon calendar in the year of the Tiger, 1770. Once stepping into this spectacular grotto, you immediately experience the dimness of light, and the urgent, almost cold atmosphere.
As the curtains open, you are greeted by Mother Nature’s magnificent architectural masterpieces. You can only wonder how easily designing is for nature. The Rice Rock and the tree of gold and silver, appear as if to surprise your senses. However the best is kept for last, the statue sculptured in the Tây Sơn Dynasty of the carving of the emerald stone wand on a rock lotus. Near this statue is a large bronze bell, molded on 3rd of Thịnh Đức year in 1655. The Huong Pagoda is one of the most must-visit destinations of Vietnam thanks to its gorgeous and natural beauty. It is not only a holy religious site; that also exhibits spectacular breathtaking and picturesque scenery for both pilgrims and tourists alike.
There maybe still some exploring to do to soak up the luxuriant scenery or simply rest and contemplate for a little this heaven on earth. Hope you enjoyed the journey to the Huong Pagoda Perfume Pagoda a short trip from Hanoi.
