Vietnam Destinations
Perfume Pagodas
After 70 km or 2 hours driving out of Hanoi, located on the limestone rocks of Huong Son Mountain in beautiful and mystical surroundings. Unlike other temples in Vietnam, the only way to reach this sanctuary is floating along a narrow but extremely poetic stream by rowing boats that takes 45 minutes.
An iron boat can carry 3-5 people and a large wooden boat – up to 20 locals. The stream is edged by rice, grass, small paths, and temples here and there. A local pilgrim can spend here traditionally three days to visit entirely the area and pray at all the temples. The first temple they often stop is called Den Trinh (i.e. The Shrine for First Presenting), where Vietnamese burn the first jossticks to inform the local deities about their presence and pray for a good trip and good luck for the year ahead. If you are anxious to reach the main Wharf of Huong Son mountain to start the uphill trip to see the Main Grotto of Huong Tich, you may skip this temple, especially in the peak season between January and early April.
The uphill trip takes an hour climbing on the ancient flat and sometime slippery stones, which have been here thousand years ago. The road is "breathtaking" in all aspects – you will have some exercise, and at the same time have chance to take some stops to contemplate beautiful scenery and daily life of local farmers, who plant cassava and apricots in the valleys, who run quickly on the slippery stone with their burdens of tapioca, apricots or medicinal herbs whilst you are careful with your steps. The main pagoda is set in a huge grotto containing a highly decorative shrine. Each stalactite and stalagmite inside, which are soaked by undercurrent, is combined with a legend about its miracle and good luck. Most of them became small shrines by now. Remember that the stone grotto is huge and very cool, so stop for a while at the entrance to dry your sweat before coming in.
The main festive days of Chua Huong stretches from January to early April, busy and exciting. Sometimes its drizzling and the Vietnamese all believe that the real good things will reach you if you catch rainwater after praying in a sacred pagoda. And among all the sacred temples and pagodas in Northern Vietnam, Chua Huong is even more attractive and mysterious not only for its spectacular scenery, but for the painstaking road you passed over to reach to the top.
Major Tourist Destinations
BA BE LAKE: (240 km from Hanoi)
CAO BANG: (280 km from HANOI)
CAT BA
DIEN BIEN PHU (474 km from Hanoi)
Bach Ma National park
Can tho city
Da nang city
Da lat city
Demilitarization zone
Hanoi (capital)
Halong bay
Hoa lu - tam coc
Hoi an ancient town
Hue imperial citadel
Mai chau valley
My son holy land
Nha trang beach
Phan thiet beach
Phong nha cave
Perfume pagodas
Phu quoc island
Quy nhon
Saigon/Hochiminh
Sapa
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| Hue Imperial Citadel |
Nha Trang Beach |
Phan Thiet Beach |
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| Demilitarization Zone |
Phong Nha Cave |
My Son Holy Land |
