Every spring, as peach blossoms gently bloom on the slopes of Huong Son mountain, millions of Vietnamese hearts turn to the Perfume Pagoda Festival. More than just a famous spiritual tourism event, the Perfume Pagoda Festival is an indispensable part of cultural and spiritual life, an opportunity for everyone to return to their roots, and wish for a new year of peace and happiness. Join “Travel Around The World” to discover the most unique features of this festival, and prepare for a complete and meaningful spring trip in 2025.
Discovering the Perfume Pagoda Festival: A Famous Spiritual Destination
Where is Perfume Pagoda? Unique Geographical Location
The Perfume Pagoda Festival is held in the Huong Son scenic area, a complex of pagodas, caves, and majestic mountains in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi city. Located about 62km southwest of the capital’s center, Perfume Pagoda is not only an attractive tourist destination but also the most important Buddhist sacred site in Vietnam. With its location leaning against the mountain and facing the water, Huong Son possesses a harmonious beauty between nature and spirituality, attracting millions of pilgrims every year, especially during the festival season.
The Perfume Pagoda complex stretches across a rugged mountainous area, with the center being Huong Tich Cave, known as “The Finest Cave Under Southern Sky”. This title not only affirms the unique beauty of Huong Tich Cave but also reflects the special position of Perfume Pagoda in the hearts of Vietnamese people. Coming to the Perfume Pagoda Festival, visitors will not only immerse themselves in the sacred atmosphere but also have the opportunity to admire the beautiful natural scenery and explore profound historical and cultural values.
When Does the Perfume Pagoda Festival Take Place?
The Perfume Pagoda Festival officially opens on the 6th day of the first lunar month every year and lasts for 3 months of spring. In 2025, according to the Gregorian calendar, the festival will start from February 4, 2025. However, the festival atmosphere is already bustling before Lunar New Year and lasts until the end of March of the lunar calendar.
The peak time of the Perfume Pagoda Festival usually falls from the full moon of the first lunar month to the end of the second lunar month, which is from mid-February to early March in the Gregorian calendar. This is when the largest number of visitors flock to Perfume Pagoda, because the weather at this time is usually warm and pleasant, favorable for spring travel and pilgrimage. If you want to experience the bustling festival atmosphere, this is the ideal time. Conversely, if you want to find peace and tranquility, you can choose to come to Perfume Pagoda at the beginning or end of the festival season.
Perfume Pagoda Festival takes place in spring every year
Perfume Pagoda Festival takes place in spring every year
Perfume Pagoda Festival takes place in spring and lasts for 3 months
Origin and Spiritual Meaning of the Perfume Pagoda Festival
History of the Perfume Pagoda Festival
The Perfume Pagoda Festival is deeply imbued with folk beliefs, associated with the worship of Ba Chua Ba (Lady of the Third Realm), the incarnation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. Legend has it that in the first century, Princess Dieu Thien chose Huong Tich Cave as a place of ascetic practice for 9 years. Here, she attained enlightenment and became a Buddha to save sentient beings. The day the princess became a Buddha, February 19th of the lunar calendar, is considered Buddha’s Birthday and also the origin of the Perfume Pagoda Festival.
A significant milestone in the history of the Perfume Pagoda Festival was in 1770 (Canh Dan year), when Lord Trinh Sam visited Huong Tich Cave during his tour of Tran Son Nam. Amazed by the majestic beauty of the cave, the Lord wrote five words “Nam Thien De Nhat Dong” (The Finest Cave Under Southern Sky) on the cliff, affirming the unique position of Huong Tich Cave. This event not only enhanced the reputation of the cave but also created an important premise for the development of the Perfume Pagoda Festival, turning this place into the most sacred pilgrimage center.
In 1896, under the reign of King Thanh Thai, the Perfume Pagoda Festival was officially organized on a large scale, starting from the khai son (mountain opening) ceremony of Yen Vy village on the 6th day of the first lunar month. Since then, the Perfume Pagoda Festival has increasingly developed, becoming one of the largest festivals in the country, attracting millions of tourists and Buddhists to pray for peace and fortune.
Profound Spiritual and Cultural Significance
The Perfume Pagoda Festival is not just a spring trip but also contains profound cultural, spiritual, and religious values of Vietnamese people, especially those in the Northern Delta region. This is a unique intersection between major ideologies such as Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, creating a diverse and rich cultural space.
The Perfume Pagoda Festival is also a symbol of community solidarity. Millions of people from all over the country, regardless of age or social status, pilgrimage to the Buddhist land together, sharing joy and traditional cultural values. The harmony between belief and daily life has helped the Perfume Pagoda Festival become a unique cultural beauty, preserved and passed down through many generations. Thanks to this, the Perfume Pagoda scenic relic has become an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists, contributing to promoting Vietnamese culture to the world.
Huong Tich Cave, where Lord Trinh Sam wrote the five words "Nam Thien De Nhat Dong"
Huong Tich Cave, where Lord Trinh Sam wrote the five words “Nam Thien De Nhat Dong”
What Makes the Perfume Pagoda Festival Attractive?
The Perfume Pagoda Festival is a unique cultural and spiritual picture, where solemn rituals, traditional beliefs, and lively community activities blend together. Coming to the festival, visitors will experience many rich activities, imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity.
Solemn Spiritual Rituals
The ritual part of the Perfume Pagoda Festival is organized solemnly, showing the respect and sincerity of the people towards the gods and Buddhas. The main rituals include:
- Khai Son Ritual (Mountain Opening Ceremony): Taking place on the morning of the 6th day of the first lunar month, the khai son ritual is the official opening event of the festival. This ritual is meant to thank the mountain god, pray for a new year of favorable weather, good harvests, and peaceful life.
- Incense Offering Ceremony: After the khai son ceremony, visitors and Buddhists will participate in the incense offering ceremony at Huong Tich Cave, the spiritual center of the festival. This ritual expresses sincerity, praying for health, peace, luck, and good things in life. Offerings usually include incense, lamps, candles, fresh flowers and fruits, and other offerings.
- Worship Ceremony: Monks and nuns will perform traditional worship rituals at Trong Pagoda (Huong Tich Cave) and other places of worship in the Perfume Pagoda area. The ceremony takes place in a solemn and respectful atmosphere, according to Buddhist rituals.
- Pilgrimage: After the main rituals are completed, Buddhists and visitors will begin their pilgrimage journey through sacred places of worship such as Trinh Temple, Thien Tru Pagoda, Huong Tich Cave, Giai Oan Pagoda, and many other scenic spots in the area. Pilgrimage is not only about going to pagodas but also an opportunity for each person to contemplate life and seek inner peace.
Solemn incense offering ceremony at Perfume Pagoda Festival
Solemn incense offering ceremony at Perfume Pagoda Festival
The ritual part of the Perfume Pagoda Festival takes place solemnly and respectfully
Entertainment Activities and Folk Games
Besides spiritual rituals, the Perfume Pagoda Festival also attracts visitors with entertainment activities and traditional folk games. These activities not only bring a lively and bustling atmosphere to the festival but also contribute to preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional culture of the nation:
- Boating: Boating on Yen Stream, admiring the poetic scenery of mountains and water is an indispensable experience when coming to the Perfume Pagoda Festival.
- “Nem Con” Throwing (Throwing Cloth Ball through Ring): A folk game that shows dexterity, sharp eyes, and a strong sense of community.
- Tug of War: Requires teamwork and strength, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere.
- Pot Smashing: A game of chance, attracting many players, especially children.
- Wrestling: A traditional sport that shows the strength and martial spirit of Vietnamese people.
- Releasing Sky Lanterns: A romantic and meaningful activity, praying for peace and luck for oneself and family.
Pilgrimage Routes to Explore Perfume Pagoda During Festival Season
The Perfume Pagoda scenic area is vast, with many attractive attractions. To fully explore the beauty of Perfume Pagoda, visitors can choose pilgrimage routes that suit their preferences and time:
Huong Tich Route – Main Pilgrimage Route
This is the most popular pilgrimage route, taking visitors to Huong Tich Cave, the heart of the Perfume Pagoda Festival:
- Trinh Temple ( trình temple): The first stop, where visitors perform a reporting ceremony before entering the scenic area.
- Thien Tru Pagoda ( Thiên Trù Pagoda): The center of the Thien Tru area, with ancient architecture and a peaceful space.
- Tien Son Cave ( Tiên Sơn Cave): A small but beautiful cave, with sparkling stalactites and stalagmites.
- Giai Oan Pagoda ( Giải Oan Pagoda): The pagoda associated with the legend of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara dispelling grievances.
- Tran Song Temple ( Trần Song Temple): A place to worship gods, on the way to Huong Tich Cave.
- Huong Tich Cave ( Hương Tích Cave): The main destination of the pilgrimage route, where Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara is worshiped, famous for its majestic and sacred beauty.
- Hinh Bong Pagoda ( Hinh Bồng Pagoda): The end point of the route, offering a quiet and peaceful space.
Thanh Son Route – Exploring Peaceful Beauty
The Thanh Son pilgrimage route is suitable for visitors who want to seek tranquility and explore lesser-known destinations:
- Thanh Son Pagoda ( Thanh Sơn Pagoda): A small pagoda hidden in wild and peaceful nature.
- Huong Dai Cave ( Hương Đài Cave): A beautiful cave with many unique stalactites and stalagmites, with fewer tourists than Huong Tich Cave.
Tuyet Son Route – Pilgrimage to Wild Lands
The Tuyet Son route is for those who love exploring the wild and tranquil lands of Perfume Pagoda:
- Bao Dai Pagoda ( Bảo Đài Pagoda): A small pagoda located on the mountainside, an ideal place for prayer and sightseeing.
- Chua Ca Cave ( Chùa Cá Cave): Famous for its clear stream and unique natural stalactites.
- Tuyet Son Cave ( Tuyết Sơn Cave): A beautiful, pristine cave, bringing a new feeling to visitors.
Long Van Route – Exploring Mysterious Caves
The Long Van route takes visitors to explore mysterious caves and pagodas hidden in the mountains and forests:
- Long Van Pagoda ( Long Vân Pagoda): A peaceful pagoda, located in the green forest.
- Long Van Cave ( Động Long Vân Cave): A beautiful cave with unique and strange stalactite shapes.
- Sung Sam Cave ( Hang Sũng Sàm Cave): An attractive destination for those who are passionate about cave exploration.
Perfume Pagoda has many routes and attractive attractions
Perfume Pagoda has many routes and attractive attractions
Perfume Pagoda offers various pilgrimage routes and attractions
Perfume Pagoda Spring Festival Travel Tips
How to Get to Perfume Pagoda
Perfume Pagoda is about 60km from the center of Hanoi, and getting there is quite convenient with various means of transport:
- Motorbike: Suitable for young people who like to explore freely. Follow Nguyen Trai – Ha Dong – Ba La intersection – National Highway 21B, takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Private Car: Convenient for families or large groups. Take Phap Van – Cau Gie expressway, turn right at Dong Van intersection onto National Highway 38, go another 15km towards Dau market to reach Perfume Pagoda, takes about 1 hour.
- Public Bus: Cost-effective and easy. Bus routes to Perfume Pagoda:
- Route 103 (My Dinh – Huong Son): Ticket price about 20,000 VND/trip.
- Route 75 (Yen Nghia – Huong Son): Ticket price about 25,000 VND/trip.
- Route 215 (Giap Bat – Huong Son): Ticket price about 90,000 VND/trip.
After arriving at Perfume Pagoda, you will reach Duc Wharf and take a boat along Yen Stream to enter the pagoda and cave area.
From Duc Wharf, visitors take a boat along Yen Stream to enter the Perfume Pagoda area
From Duc Wharf, visitors take a boat along Yen Stream to enter the Perfume Pagoda area
Perfume Pagoda Festival Tour Costs
Below is information about entrance fees, boat tickets, and cable car tickets at Perfume Pagoda during the festival season:
| Ticket Type | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Entrance ticket to the relic site | 80,000 VND/person |
| Boat ticket | – Main Huong Tich route: 50,000 VND/person/2 ways – Tuyet Son, Long Van routes: 35,000 VND/person/2 ways |
| Cable car ticket | – Adults: – 120,000 VND/ticket/1 way – 180,000 VND/round trip ticket – Children (under 1.3m): – 90,000 VND/ticket/1 way – 120,000 VND/round trip ticket |
Note:
- Entrance tickets are mandatory for all visitors.
- Boat tickets are charged separately for each route.
- Children’s cable car ticket prices apply to children under 1.3m tall.
Important Notes When Visiting Perfume Pagoda Festival
To make your Perfume Pagoda Festival trip complete and meaningful, you should note a few things:
- Plan and check the schedule:
- Find out the opening date and peak days of the festival to proactively arrange your time.
- If you intend to stay overnight, you should book a room in advance to avoid room shortages, especially during the festival season.
- Choose appropriate clothing:
- Prioritize polite, discreet clothing, suitable for the sacred space of pagodas.
- Choose comfortable shoes, easy to walk and climb mountains as you will have to move quite a lot.
- Prepare offerings and personal items:
- Prepare offerings (incense, flowers, fruits, vows…) at home to be proactive and avoid being overcharged when buying at the festival.
- Bring snacks and drinks to use when needed, especially if traveling with young children.
- Carefully preserve personal belongings:
- Keep your personal belongings and money carefully, especially in crowded places to avoid loss or pickpocketing.
- Shopping for specialties and souvenirs:
- You should bargain before buying goods to avoid being overcharged.
- Check the origin, quality, and expiry date of food and specialties carefully.
- Be careful with traditional medicines of unclear origin.
- Choose a reasonable departure time:
- If you don’t like crowds, you should avoid going on peak days of the festival.
- Depart early to have enough time to visit and avoid traffic jams.
- Respect the festival space and local culture:
- Behave politely and civilly, do not jostle, push, or cause disorder.
- Maintain general hygiene, do not litter indiscriminately, and protect the environment and landscape of the relic.
Visitors should pay attention to preserving personal belongings when going to Perfume Pagoda Festival
Visitors should pay attention to preserving personal belongings when going to Perfume Pagoda Festival
Visitors should be mindful of personal belongings at crowded festivals
With the detailed information and useful experiences above, “Travel Around The World” hopes you will have a truly complete, meaningful, and memorable Perfume Pagoda spring festival trip in 2025. Wishing you and your family a new year of peace, prosperity, and all the best!