Every spring, as the light drizzle falls and new buds sprout on branches, millions of Vietnamese people turn their hearts towards Perfume Pagoda, immersing themselves in the sacred atmosphere of one of the largest and longest festivals in the country. Traveling to the Perfume Pagoda Festival is not only a journey to explore the magnificent natural beauty but also an opportunity for each person to return to a spiritual place, praying for peace and luck for themselves and their families. Perfume Pagoda, with its picturesque scenery of “blue mountains and clear waters,” ancient temples hidden in caves, and bustling festival atmosphere, is always an attractive destination for visitors from all over every Lunar New Year.
1. Perfume Pagoda Festival: Location and Timing
Perfume Pagoda, or Hương Sơn, is a famous complex of pagodas, temples, shrines, and caves, located in Hương Sơn commune, Mỹ Đức district, Hanoi city, about 70km south of the capital center. This place is not only a spiritual tourist destination but also a scenic spot with beautiful landscapes, surrounded by limestone mountains and the poetic Đáy River.
The Perfume Pagoda Festival usually starts from the 6th day of the Lunar New Year and lasts until the end of March of the lunar calendar, with its peak period from the full moon of January to the end of February. This is the ideal time for pilgrims from all directions to come to the Buddhist land, experience the bustling festival atmosphere, and explore the mysterious beauty of Perfume Pagoda. However, to avoid overcrowding, visitors can also choose to go on weekdays throughout the festival season.
2. Origin and Meaning of the Perfume Pagoda Festival
Perfume Pagoda Festival opens on January 6th of the lunar calendar, attracting a large number of tourists and Buddhists to pilgrimage to the Buddhist land.
2.1. History of the Perfume Pagoda Festival
The Perfume Pagoda Festival has its origins in the 17th century, associated with the story of Bodhisattva Quan Thế Âm (Avalokiteśvara) practicing at Hương Tích Cave. However, according to some studies, Perfume Pagoda existed before that and may be related to the mountain god worship beliefs of ancient Vietnamese people. By the 17th century, when Buddhism developed strongly, Perfume Pagoda became an important Buddhist center, and the Perfume Pagoda Festival gradually formed and developed.
Legend has it that Hương Sơn mountain was chosen as a place for practice because of its majestic natural landscape, with overlapping limestone mountain ranges, mysterious caves, and winding rivers, creating a sacred and mystical setting. Over many centuries, the Perfume Pagoda Festival has become an indispensable part of the spiritual life of Vietnamese people, especially the Northern community. From a stopover for monks practicing, this place has developed into an important religious relic complex, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
2.2. Spiritual and Cultural Significance of the Perfume Pagoda Festival
The Perfume Pagoda Festival is not just a religious event but also carries profound cultural, spiritual, and communal meanings. For Vietnamese people, especially those in the North, the Perfume Pagoda Festival is an opportunity to express their reverence to Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, praying for a new year of peace, luck, and prosperity.
The sacred space of Perfume Pagoda is like a spiritual convergence point, where people can find peace and soothe their souls after days of busy life and worries. Traveling to the Perfume Pagoda festival is a journey to explore the inner self, connect with nature, and the deep cultural traditions of the nation. The festival is also an opportunity for people to meet, socialize, strengthen community solidarity, and together aim for good values.
3. Rituals and Unique Activities at the Perfume Pagoda Festival
3.1. Khai Sơn Ritual – Forest Opening Ceremony
The Khai Sơn ritual, also known as the forest opening ceremony, is one of the most important rituals of the Perfume Pagoda Festival. In the early morning of the 6th day of the Lunar New Year, the monks in the pagoda will perform the opening ceremony, signaling the start of the festival season. The ritual takes place solemnly, with the participation of monks, the festival organizing committee, and numerous Buddhists.
The sound of pagoda bells echoes, and the smoke of incense rises, creating a sacred and solemn atmosphere. This is the most sacred moment, when people seem to blend into nature, sending wishes for peace for the new year in the spiritual space of the Perfume Pagoda Festival. The Khai Sơn ritual not only has religious significance but also expresses respect for nature and the mountains and forests where Perfume Pagoda is located.
3.2. Incense Offering Ritual
The incense offering ritual is a deeply spiritual activity in the Perfume Pagoda Festival. Every visitor to Perfume Pagoda wishes to perform this ritual to express their reverence to the Buddha and deities. The rising incense smoke spreads a sacred space, making visitors feel purified and peaceful.
People prepare beautiful bunches of incense, pure incense sticks to offer, along with sincere prayers. Each puff of smoke rises, like a bridge between humans and the spiritual world, carrying dreams and wishes for a good new year. Offering incense is not just a ritual but also an act of expressing gratitude and respect for spiritual values.
3.3. Festival Activities and Folk Cultural Events
Besides spiritual rituals, the festival part of the Perfume Pagoda Festival is always vibrant and colorful. Folk cultural activities such as lion dances, Chèo singing, and folk performances are vividly performed, imbued with Northern cultural identity. The festival space is filled with laughter, music, and traditional folk games such as:
- Quan Họ Singing: The melodious and heartfelt Quan Họ tunes resonate throughout the festival space, creating a unique cultural atmosphere.
- Chicken Fighting, Wrestling: Traditional folk games such as chicken fighting and wrestling attract large numbers of spectators and participants, showing the martial spirit and strength of Vietnamese people.
- Walking on Kiều Bridge, Blindfolded Goat Catching: Team-building and fun games create a lively atmosphere and community bonding.
- Enjoying Cuisine: Visitors can enjoy the typical cuisine of Hương Sơn region such as bánh củ mài (yam cake), chè lam (sweet glutinous rice cake), bánh cuốn Thanh Trì (Thanh Trì steamed rice rolls), etc.
Visitors can freely participate in cultural activities, folk games, enjoy local cuisine, or simply admire the poetic scenery of Perfume Pagoda and immerse themselves in the bustling festival atmosphere.
4. Transportation to Perfume Pagoda
To get to Perfume Pagoda, visitors can choose from several main means of transport such as bus, motorbike, or private car.
- Bus: From Hanoi, you can take a bus to Mỹ Đức at bus stations such as Giáp Bát, Yên Nghĩa. Travel time is about 1.5 – 2 hours. At Mỹ Đức bus station, you can take a motorbike taxi or taxi to Bến Đục wharf to enter Perfume Pagoda.
- Motorbike, private car: You can travel in the direction of National Highway 21B or Thăng Long Boulevard – National Highway 21B. The road is quite easy to travel and has clear signs. However, during the festival season, the road can be crowded and parking spaces are hard to find.
- Boat trip: A unique and interesting experience when coming to Perfume Pagoda is taking a boat trip on the Đáy River. You can rent a boat at Bến Đục wharf and enjoy the picturesque river scenery on the way to the pagoda.
5. Popular Perfume Pagoda Tour Routes
Picturesque landscape of blue mountains and clear waters at Perfume Pagoda, an ideal destination for pilgrims from all over.
The Perfume Pagoda relic site has many attractive sights, divided into different routes for visitors to choose from:
- Hương Tích Route (Main Route): This route takes visitors to Hương Tích Cave, the main and most sacred destination of Perfume Pagoda. On this route, visitors will pass through points such as: Trình Temple, Thiên Trù Pagoda, Tiên Sơn Cave, Giải Oan Pagoda, Hương Tích Cave.
- Thanh Khê Route: This route takes visitors to explore points such as: Thanh Long Pagoda, Long Vân Cave, Cửa Võng Pagoda, Hinh Bồng Cave. Thanh Khê route is suitable for visitors who want to learn about the history and architecture of Perfume Pagoda.
- Long Vân Route: This route takes visitors to points such as: Tiên Pagoda, Đại Bàng Cave, Hương Vân Pagoda, Giải Oan Cave. Long Vân route is suitable for visitors who love to explore nature and mysterious caves.
Each tour route offers different experiences, from peaceful tranquility to exciting exploration. Visitors can choose a route that suits their preferences and time.
6. Important Notes When Visiting Perfume Pagoda Festival
To have a complete and meaningful Perfume Pagoda Festival trip, visitors should note the following:
- Time: Should go on weekdays to avoid overcrowding and jostling, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Dress code: Dress politely and discreetly when entering the pagoda, avoid wearing clothes that are too short or revealing. Choose comfortable, easy-to-move clothes as you will have to walk and climb mountains a lot.
- Footwear: Choose comfortable, flat-soled shoes or sports shoes for easy movement and mountain climbing.
- Luggage: Bring drinking water, hats, sunscreen, light jackets (if going in the early morning or late afternoon), and some necessary personal items.
- Money: Prepare enough cash to pay for services such as cable car tickets, food, souvenir shopping, and donations at the pagoda.
- Cultural behavior: Maintain general hygiene, do not litter indiscriminately, do not swear, do not make noise or cause disorder in the pagoda area.
- Security: Be careful to protect personal belongings, avoid pickpocketing and theft in crowded places.
- Shopping: Should buy souvenirs at reputable stores, avoid buying from street vendors or goods of unknown origin.
The Perfume Pagoda Festival is not just an ordinary cultural and spiritual event, but also a profound experience of national spirit and culture. This is a great opportunity for visitors to discover the unique beauty of the North every Lunar New Year, connecting with the sacred space and long-standing cultural traditions of Vietnam.
For more detailed information about Perfume Pagoda Festival tours and other attractive destinations, please contact:
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Source: Compiled and edited by Du lịch khắp thế gian team