An Unmissable Buddhist Site in Vietnam

Located in Huong Son commune, 70 km from Hanoi, the Perfume Pagoda (Chùa Hương in Vietnamese) is actually a complex of pagodas, the main ones being Den Trinh, Thien Tru, and Giai Oan.

These pagodas are scattered along limestone hills and within the tropical forest surrounding Mount Huong. To visit them, you board small boats usually rowed by women from nearby villages. At the foot of the mountain, you’ll climb 120 steps leading to the entrance of Huong Tich Cave, the heart of this Buddhist site. The cave’s entrance is shaped like a dragon’s mouth, and inside you will find numerous statues carved from emerald stone.

Chùa Hương is one of the most famous and visited Buddhist sites in Vietnam. After Lunar New Year (January–February), thousands of pilgrims flock here to offer prayers to protective and benevolent spirits. Visiting at this time provides a unique opportunity to experience the spiritual fervor of the Vietnamese people and better understand the rituals following the Lunar New Year — though you should be prepared for large crowds!

Contact us to include the Perfume Pagoda in your tailor-made itinerary around Hanoi.