The Perfume Pagoda

Discovering the Perfume Pagoda

Nestled in the heart of the limestone mountains of North Vietnam, about 60 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, the Perfum Pagoda (Chùa Huong) is one of the most revered spiritual sites in the country.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims flock here to pray, meditate and recharge in a strikingly beautiful natural setting.

The excursion begins with a boat ride on the river Yen, bordered by limestone peaks and peaceful rice fields.
The silence of the water, punctuated by the lapping of oars, creates an atmosphere marked with serenity.
Then, a shaded trail or cable car ride leads visitors to the Huong Tich cave, the main shrine of the complex, considered one of the most sacred Buddhist places in Vietnam.

Between preserved nature, thousand-year-old traditions and religious fervour, the Perfume Pagoda embodies all the spiritual wealth of the country.
It is an excursion from Hanoi both cultural and contemplative, ideal for those who wish to discover an authentic and peaceful Vietnam, far from the urban bustle.

Guided by an English-speaking guide, you will dive into the deep soul of Vietnamese Buddhism, while enjoying an exceptional natural setting, where mountains, caves and rivers unite in perfect harmony.

Planning of the day at the Perfume Pagoda

Cruise on the Yen River and ascent to the pagoda

Departure from your hotel in Hanoi around 8:00 a.m. with our English-speaking guide, towards the district of My Duc, where the famous Perfume Pagoda (Chùa Huong) is located.
After about two hours of driving through the Vietnamese countryside, you will arrive at the small pier of Ben Duc.

You will then board a traditional boat for a peaceful ride on the Yen River, about an hour long.
This river journey, bordered by karst mountains, fields and groves, is one of the most poetic moments of the excursion.
The local rowers skillfully wield their oars in a silent atmosphere, conducive to contemplation.

Once arrived at the foot of the mountain of Huong Son, you will start the ascent towards the cave Huong Tich, main sanctuary of the site, considered as the "cave of the Perfumes".

You can reach the summit on foot (about 45 minutes of ascent), offering a magnificent panoramic view of the valley and the surrounding temples.

Then head back down by cable car for a well-deserved lunch before going back to Hanoi.

Price 2026:

2 pax: 2.750.000 VND / pax

3 pax: 2.200.000 VND / pax

4 pax 1.950.000 VND / pax

Possibility to return to Ninh Binh - Tam Coc on request.

A spiritual and natural excursion

The Perfume Pagoda, known as Chùa Huong, is much more than just a tourist site: it is a spiritual place where faith, nature and tradition mingle.
For centuries, thousands of pilgrims have come every spring to participate in the festival of Chùa Huong, a large religious and cultural gathering dedicated to compassion and purification of the soul.

This pilgrimage always begins with the peaceful descent of the river Yen, symbol of the crossing towards inner serenity.
The oars brush against the water, the mountains are reflected in the river, and the scent of incense mixes with that of banian flowers: everything here invites meditation and contemplation.

The climb to the mountain of Huong Son is also full of symbolism.
Every walk, every temple, every prayer represents a step towards wisdom and spiritual liberation.
The Huong Tich cave, considered as "the most beautiful cave of the Southern sky" by Emperor Lê Thanh Tông, is the culmination of this inner quest.
Its stalactites and stalagmites carry symbolic forms - rice, gold, children - to which the faithful lend lucky virtues.

But the Perfume Pagoda is also a jewel of nature: an unspoiled valley surrounded by karst mountains, clear streams and lush forests.
Each season offers a different face: mystical mist in winter, bright flowers in spring, golden reflections at the end of summer.

This excursion from Hanoi appeals to both culture lovers and nature enthusiasts.
It offers a journey to the heart of the Vietnamese soul, where man, earth and beliefs merge into a rare harmony.