Location: Red River Delta, 75km west of Hanoi.

Access: The position at the southwest entrance to Hanoi makes all attractions of province easily accessible by land.

Main attractions: Huong Pagoda, Thien Tru Pagoda.

The Perfume Pagoda (Vietnamese: Chùa Hương) is a vast complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built into the limestone Huong Tich mountains. It is the site of a religious festival which draws large numbers of pilgrims from across Vietnam. The centre of the Perfume Temple lies in Huong Son Commune, My Duc District, former Ha Tay Province (now Hanoi). The center of this complex is the Perfume Temple, also known as Chua Trong (Inner Temple), located in Huong Tich Cave.

It is thought that the first temple was a small structure on the current site of Thien Tru which existed during the reign of Lê Thánh Tông in the 15th century. Legend claims that the site was discovered over 2000 years ago by a monk meditating in the area, who named the site after a Tibetan mountain where Lord Buddha practiced asceticism. A stele at the current temple dates the building of a terrace, stone steps and Kim Dung shrine to 1686, during the reign of Le Hy Tong, at around the same time that Chua Trong was being constructed. Over the years some of the structures were damaged and replaced. The original statues of Lord Buddha and Quan Am were cast from bronze in 1767 and replaced with the current statues in 1793. More recently, damage was done during both the French and the American wars. Both the gate and the bell tower at Thien Tru Pagoda were destroyed, the bell tower rebuilt in 1986 and the gate completed in 1994.

Daily departure – Full day

08.00 a.m: Depart for the 2-hour journey to the Perfume Pagoda. Enjoy the scenic drive through the rich farming land of the Red River Delta, to one of northern Vietnam’s holiest of sites.

10.00 a.m: On arrival board a private rowing boat for the relaxing hours’ cruise down the Yen River, along the way stop at Den Trinh (Presentation shrine), also known as Den Quan Lon (Shrine of High-ranking Mandarin), built to worship one of the generals of a Hung King.

11.00 a.m: Disembark and follow a stone flagged path to Thien Tru.

11.30 a.m: Continue the walk uphill around 45 minutes to Huong Tich Chu, “Pagoda of the Perfumed Vestige”. The pagoda is one of the most important to the Mahayana Buddhists of Vietnam.

At the top you will be rewarded with a fine view, after visiting pagoda, start the journey back down the mountain.

Note: As an option there is a cable car which can be taken instead of walking (not included).

14.00 p.m: Have lunch at local restaurant.

15.00 p.m: Visit Thien Tru, which is located on Mount Lao is built shelves in 1467, King Le Thanh Tong Quang Thuan dating to the 8th.

15.30 p.m: Return by rowing boat to the vehicle for transfer back to Hanoi, arriving Hanoi in the late afternoon.

19.00: Tour finish.

Package price:

Option 1:US$ 35 per person(No cable car)

Option 2:US$ 40 per person(Cable car one way)

Option 3:US$ 42 per person(Cable car two way)

*Private tour is always available. Please contact us for frequent updated price

* Proper walking shoes must be worn for this tour. The trek can be strenuous for some as the path is fairly steep (As an option there is a cable car which can be taken instead of walking).

* During Tet (Vietnamese New Year) and the three months preceding, the Perfume Pagoda is crowded with pilgrims and travel during this time is not recommended, check with your travel consultant for further details.

Tour Includes:

• All transportation and transfers
• Lunch
• English speaking guide
• Admission fees and permits where applicable
• Drinking water during the trip

Tour excludes:

• Pre & Post trip accommodation in Hanoi
• Travel insurance
• Food & drink not mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal expenses