History of Tran Quoc Pagoda

Old documents said that the establishment of pagoda happened under the reign of King Ly Nam De (541-547) in the period of Van Xuan State. Originally, its site lay on An Hoa village near the Red river (formerly Yen Phu village, Tay Ho District now). The original name if “Khai Quoc” (National Founding). Its name changed to “An Quoc”, which means a peaceful country, by King Le Thai Tong (1440-1442). Accidently, a serious land slide in 1615 affected into the pagoda foundation. That disaster made the local people to relocated  to Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) islet on the East of Ho Tay (West Lake) where it is now situated.

People visit Tran Quoc pagoda for praying on Tet holidays

However, as there was no way to enter the pagoda except for boat, in 1624 An Hoa villagers continued building the Cổ Ngư lagoon or Thanh Nien Street at the present which separated West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Since then, the pagoda was named Tran Quoc, meaning protecting the country in 1628 under King Le Than Tong’s reign.

Tran Quoc pagoda guidline

Like most of temples in Vietnam with strict rules of Buddhist architecture. The layer of Tran Quoc Pagoda seem to the shape of the word “Cong” (工 ). Moreover, it also consists of with many layers of buildings and three main houses several including Tien Duong (The forecourt), Thuong Dien (The front-worshiping room), Nha thieu huong (The incense burning house).

Location

Standing at on Thanh Nien Road, you can see the towers of the pagoda rising above the lake’s surface. Its name called Bao Thap Luc Do Dai Sen (The Precious Stupa). This stupa includes 11 floors with a height of 15m. Each floor has six arched door ways with a statue of Buddha Amitabha . The top of the tower has a nine-story lotus called the Cuu Pham Lien Hoan. The stupa location  symmetrically is Bo De (Bodhi) tree in the pagoda garden. That’s a gift by former Indian President when he visited Hanoi in 1959.

Tran Quoc pagoda inside

How to visit the pagoda

Coming to Tran Quoc pagoda in different, you will see distinct beauty which rarely seen in other ones. In the summer season, this pagoda is a cool island with many moss stone steps and vibrate waves where you get away from noisy and hot streets. In the winter, it has the mysterious beauty hidden in the mist. It helps anyone coming to Tran Quoc Pagoda to feel tranquil and peaceful, throw away a part of secular to make gentle and good things.

View of Tran Quoc pagoda from Thanh Nien road (Youth road)

The pagoda opens daily from 7 am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 6pm. It is advisable for all visitors to wear decent clothing, by wearing long trousers and covering the shoulder before visiting the pagoda. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes by car from the center of Hanoi, depending on the road traffic. To save your cost, you can take the bus as the bus stop is in front of the pagoda’s gate. However, the route requites two buses which can be difficult with tourists. It is the better way if you take a taxi or motorbike to to visit the spiritual pagoda.

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Temple of Literature history

Nowadays, the Temple of Literature is a place of learning rather than a religious site. The historian can find out many materials about Vietnamese education history. Philosophers can find the evidence to prove the role of Confucianism in Vietnam. Art researchers discover quintessence of national art from the shapes and  patterns of the stone turtles. Vietnamese people come here to find the name of an ancestor in the academy. Besides, it is also one of the must-see destination in any trip in Hanoi with a large number of domestic and international visitors travelling to Hanoi. On the traditional New Year (Tet holiday), people usually organize the poetry community here. The people gather to express their wishes and the scholars (Ông Đồ). Their brush and ink will help express them in scripts. Before any importation examination, the students come here to pray for luckiness.

Overview

Actually, ‘Văn Miếu’ is the Temple of Literature but ‘Quốc Tử Giám’ is the Imperial Academy.  After the great transfer of the capital in 1010 from Hoa Lu (present-day Ninh Binh Province) to Dai La Citadel (present-day Hanoi). The Ly dynasty concentrated on building a strong social organization and education and training  talents for the country. In the autumn of the year Canh Tuat (1070), Emperor Ly Thanh Tong decide to build Temple of Literature. As a Confucian temple, where worships ‘Khổng Tử’ (Confucius), scholars and sages. Under King Tran Minh Tong, Chu Van An with lofty soul and immense knowledge became a rector of the Imperial Academy. He was an outstanding teacher in the national education. After his death in 1370, the king erected his monument at Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam.

Launching and development

In 1076, King Ly Nhân Tông ordered to construct  ‘Quốc Tử Giám’  or Imperial Academy where provided  talents for the country. Originally only princes, the royal members and aristocrats were studied at the university. In 1253, under King Ly Nhan Tong, Temple of Literature the university was opened to talented commoners.

The imperial Academy starts from 1076 to 1779. When Nguyễn dynasty decided to move from “Thang Long” (Hanoi) to Hue where  there is a new imperial academy. Temple of Literature became a school of the Hoài Đức District. Its name changed to “Thai hoc” house, then “Khai Thanh” to worship Khổng Tử’s parents.

Imperial Academy – Temple of Literature inside

During the period of 1945- 1954, they used many parts of the temple to make room for the sick and wounded. In early 1947, only some stones of Literature Temple was still stable after the French attacks.  In 1999, Hanoi city decided to renovate of “Thai Hoc” with its area of 1530 m² in the total complex of 54.331 m2. Becuase of domination from China, the temple follows a standard Confucian layout consisting of ‘Hồ Văn’ (Van Lake), ‘Vườn Giám’ (Giam park), and the inner surrounded by brick wall.

The vestige of Văn Hồ (Literature Lake) is in front of Temple of Literature and on the opposite side of Quoc Tu Giam street. Giam Lake stays along the west of the inner. In front of the Great Gate, there are four high pillars. On either side of the pillars are two stelae commanding horsemen to dismount. Even the king forced to dismount which but knowledge still had the most important position, even higher than royalty or temporal power.

Temple of Literature complex and description

There are three pathways through the complex. The central gate was reserved for royal members. The path to the left was for the administrative Mandarins and the path to the right was  for military Mandarins. The interior of the site is seperate into five courtyards.

Van Mieu Mon – First Courtyard

The first courtyard extends from the Great Portico ‘Văn Miếu Môn’ to the Dai Trung (Đại Trung). There are two smaller gates: the Dai Tai gate (Đại Tài Môn) and the Thanh Duc gate (Thành Đức Môn).

Dai Trung Mon – Second Courtyard

The second courtyard is running from ‘Đại Trung Môn‘ to the ‘Khuê Văn Các‘. It has a unique architectural work built in 1805 during the reign of Gia Long. The first Nguyễn emperor shortly after he moved the capital from Hanoi to Huế and a symbol of present-day Hanoi. The next two side gates are the ‘Cửa Bi Văn‘ (Magnificence of Letters Gate) and ‘Cửa Súc Văn’ (Crystallization of Letters Gate), which lead to three courtyard.

Khue Van Cac – Temple of Literature

Thien Quang Tinh – Third Courtyard

In the third courtyard is the Thien Quang Tinh ((Well of Heavenly Clarity). On the sides of the lake are the ancient doctor’s graveyards, or Stelae Pavilions. King Le Thanh Tong established the 82 remaining stelae of the 116 originals n 1484 and added to until 1779. Each headstone of them displays the name of the person that passed a high-level examination.

Dai Thanh Mon – Fourth Courtyard

The central gate to the fourth courtyard is the Dai Thanh gate (Đại Thành Môn). On either side are two smaller gates: Kim Thanh gate (Kim Thanh Môn) and the Ngoc Chan gate (Ngọc Chấn Môn).

This courtyard consists of two larger works in parallel layout. In the centre of the fourth courtyard is the House of Ceremonies (Đại Bái Đường). The next building is the Thượng Điện, the worshiping place of Confucius and his four closest disciples Yanhui, Zengshen, Zisi and Mencius.

Imperial Academy – Fifth Courtyard

In 1076, an imperial academy as a fifth courtyard was constructed in order of Emperor Ly Nhan Tong. It includes the front building, the rear building, the left and right buildings, a bell house and a drum house.

Scientific activities and cultural events are organised in the front building. The rear building has two levels including the ground floor to worship Chu Văn An (a rector of the academy). It also shows exhibits of the temple and the academy and upper floor to be dedicated to the three monarchs The persons contributed most to the foundation of the temple and the academy: Ly Thanh Tong, Ly Nha Tong and Le Thanh Tong. The left and right buildings are an office Scientific and Cultural Center for Temple of Literature.

With the outstanding and rare values, Temple of Literature has long been recognized as one of the most iconic historical-cultural heritages in Vietnam. These 82 steles have been recognized as world documentary heritage by UNESCO since March 2010. More importantly, Temple of Literature represents the fondness of learning and the tradition of exploring knowledge of Vietnamese people. Although Hanoi is developing day in day. Temple of Literature has still had special values with Vietnamese people, especially the young.

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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum history and overview

The mausoleum is the last resting place of Ho Chi Minh also known as Uncle Ho. When the President was alive, he wanted to be cremated and laid ashes in three regions of the country. However, with a wish that Vietnamese people, especially the southern ones can see Ho Chi Minh’s body. Government officially decided to build Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on on September 2, 1973 on the grounds of the Ba Dinh Square. In there, Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence announcing the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945.

Architecture and Construction

Constructors used marble and granite to build the Mausoleum. They are from many places of the country including sands taken from Kim Boi stream (Hoa Binh province). Muong ethnic people took boulders from streams in Son Duong, Chiem Hoa, Ngoi Thia, Tuyen Quang, stones from Thanh Hoa, Ha Tay, Yen Bai, etc. Besides, the people has been living in the Truong Son Mountain Range also sent 16 kinds of precious wood. Many rare plants from the different regions such as: Dipterocarpus retusus trees which from Phong Chau in Phu Tho Province, Orchid Tree from Dien Bien – Lai Chau, bamboo from Cao Bang, etc…

Vietnamese people complete Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum with the Soviet Union’s help on August  22nd, 1975. Consequently, it is the combination between Lenin Mausoleum’s architecture and distinct architectural elements of Vietnam.

Architecture of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from outside

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum consists of three layers with 21.6 meters high and 41.2 meter wide. They use granite to make the exterior as gray, black, and red stone. When standing in the front of the mausoleum, you cam the words “Chủ tịch Hồ Chi Minh”, meaning “President Ho Chi Minh”. You can see the gold-inlaid sentence “Không có gì quý hơn độc lập tự do” (Nothing is more precious than Independence and Freedom) and the signature of of President Ho Chi Minh at the lobby.

Ho Chi Minh’s Body

In the second store places the famous President’s body pressed by marble from Ha Tay province. On the wall, the national flag and the Communist party flag are grafted from 4,000 pieces of rubies from Thanh Hoa province. The body lies in a glass case with dim lights. He is wearing the simple clothes with the Kaki costume and a pair of rubber sandals which he worn when he was alive. The coffin is a work of art made by the craft master of the two countries Vietnam – Soviet. Beds are manipulated from bronze with lotus patterns, and placed on a rock pedestal with automatic lift system. Lighting and air conditioner system is automatically on bedhead. To view the President’s body, visitors must climb a stairway lined with security guards dressed in starchy stiff, white military uniforms.

Entrance

On the two sides of the entrance, there are two frangipani trees, symbolizing the purity, nobility of President. In the rear and the back of the Mausoleum, 79 cycas revoluta symbolizing for 79 years in the life of Uncle Ho. South and north side of the Mausoleum, there are two ranges of bamboo, consider as a symbol of Vietnam. In front of the mausoleum there is a 30 metre flag pole and the plaza, 240 green squares with pathways respectively. Surrounding the mausoleum is nearly 250 different species of plants and flowers, it is from all different regions of Vietnam.

People on the line to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Opening and closing hours

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the most important monument to the great father of Vietnam who completely changed the life of Vietnamese people. Rules regarding dress and behavior are strictly enforced by staff and guards. Legs must be covered (no shorts or miniskirts). Local and foreign visitors must be silent, and walk in two lines. Hands must not be in pockets, nor arms crossed. No permission for smoking, photography, and video taping anywhere inside the mausoleum. Except for the time for restoring and preserving the body, it is normally open daily from 8:00 am to 11.30 am, but you can be there at 7.00 am if you want to be ahead of the queue. Government close the Mausoleum on Monday for maintenance.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum inside and surrounding

Ba Dinh square

The square is in front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the place to organise important events. There President Ho Chi Minh read the Independence Declaration of Vietnam on September 2^nd, 1945. Originally, Ba Dinh is the name of a village in Thanh Hoa province where the first resistance against the French colonialist of Vietnamese people took place.

The house-on-stilts

After leaving Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you will walk closely to Uncle Ho the house-on-stilts. There Vietnam’s great President used to live and work from 1958 until he passed away. The wooden house surrounded by full of fruit trees and a peaceful fish pond shows his simple and pure lifestyle.

Uncle Ho used to the ground floor welcome visitors. Upstairs there were a bed room, a wardrobe, a study room with a table and a chair and a bookshelf. The outside of his house is a garden with the trees from all over the country.

In front of the house, “Uncle Ho’s fish-pond” is teeming with fish that he fed with great care. At the same time, he clapped his hands, they heard his sound and coming up on the surface for the foods.

Presidential Palace

Walking a few steps from Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, visitors will pass Presidential Palace from 1900 – 1906. This was a palace of the General Indochina Governor in colonial French architectural style. In 1954, the new government renames the building as “the Presidential Palace”. Uncle Ho live and work there. After he passed away in 1969, the Palace became a historic relic related to 15 years living and working of Ho Chi Minh.

One Pillar Pagoda

Travelers should visit the One-Pillar Pagoda behind Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It is an ancient one relate to King Ly Thanh Tong’s dream in 1049, telling that  Quan Yin Buddha sitting on the throne led him to Buddha’s throne. Therefore, the pagoda architecture  consists of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. It looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Ho Chi Minh Museum is the largest museum in Vietnam. It express the deep gratitude of Vietnamese people to the great contributions of Ho Chi Minh President. It stores more than 12 thousand documents, artifacts, original film about the life and revolutionary career of the President.

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Overview of Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Bat Trang Ceramic Village is situated in a rich clay area in Gia Lam district, just 15 km southeast of Hanoi Old Quarter. It gains advantages of ingredients to create good and unique ceramics. It is said to be established in 14^th to 15^th century in some documents. However, villagers believe that it was found earlier in 11^th century when 3 scholars came back from the trip to China. They learned ceramic craft industry from China and taught to local people of Bat Trang. Another story tells that due to rich clay, many potters from many areas came to there to build the kilns there, then developed pottery village. Until now, Bat Trang has been famous hundreds of year for its pottery and ceramics. There are many different functions from art ceramic products, worship items or even living supplies, etc.

Local people making ceramic products

Bat Trang now is not famous in Vietnam but also in other countries in the world. Many products have been exported to Japan, Korea, America, Netherlands, and Britain … and are well-known about the best quality, styles and art. Some Bat Trang products even are stored in the world museum such as Guimet Museum in France and Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium. Therefore, Bat Trang pottery product reflects the spirituality of Vietnamese.

Apart from its products, it become touristic attraction both domestic and foreigners. Visitors come here for natural scenery, witness of process of making pottery, having a real experience to make pottery as well as buy souvenirs from old village.

How to get to Bat Trang Pottery Village

Because it is not too far to Hanoi Old Quarter, it is very easy to go to Bat Trang Ceramic Village. The public bus is the cheapest and convenient vehicle. You can take the bus number 47 from Long Bien station and go to Bat Trang village directly. You can take motorbike, bicyle or car crossing Chuong Duong Bridge or Vinh Tuy Bridge. And then you turn right along to Red River dike until see the Bat Trang Village. The most exciting way is to take a bike to visit Bat Trang from Hanoi. You have an opportunity to cycle across beautiful rice paddies and green gardens, fish ponds and pagodas along the way.

Shops in Bat Trang Ceramic Village

What should you do in Bat Trang Pottery Village

Passing Bat Trang gate, you will stop at the beginning of village and starting walking. You will first see ceramic market. There are a lot of usual vase, pottery, housewares and modern art ceramic pieces with different shapes and styles. Tourist can buy souvenirs like necklaces, bracelets, key chains, piggy banks with reasonable price.

Almost of family in Bat Trang make pottery. You can enjoy making pottery by yourself if you want. There are many family offers this service. A rotating table and a tray of clay will be provided to you and the owner will guide you how to create a ceramic product. Then, you can start shaping your own product which you want like vase, cup or even animal. Does not worry if you do not know how to make a perfect one, the owners always help you to make product like you want. Moreover, you can decorate them, dry them before take it to your home as your gifts to family or friends.

Ceramic worship product

Another thing tourist should try when visiting Bat Trang is using special vehicle of buffalo cart to visit around village. This is very interesting and unforgettable experience on your trip to enjoy peaceful landscape and daily life of pottery village.

Hanoi Tours include Bat Trang Ceramic Village: Hanoi City Tour

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Ngoc Son Temple – The heart of Hoan Kiem Lake

Originally, Ngoc Son Island was called Tuong Nhi (Elephant Ears). When King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long (Rising Dragon). He renamed it Ngoc Tuong and finally Ngoc Son Temple from Tran Dynasty. The temple was dedicated the national hero in The Resistance War against the Mongol Invasion. However, it was then destroyed and rebuilt to be Thuy Khanh Palace under Lord Trinh Giang. In 1843, a charity called Tin Trai built a new pagoda based on on the old Ngoc Son Temple and called Ngoc Son pagoda. A few years later, it was renamed as Ngoc Son Temple and restored from 1841 to 1842.

Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake

In 1865, Ngoc Son temple was comprehensively repaired by Nguyen Van Sieu. He is an eminent scholar of the old Thang Long Capital who followed Confucianism. Other projects were also newly built or upgraded that created a new complex of relics. Consequently, it has a harmonious architecture including Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, But Thap (Pen Tower) and Dai Nghien (Ink Slab).

Attractions in Ngoc Son Temple

The Pen Tower was built with stones and its peak was built in the shape of a brush. Three words “Ta Thanh Thien” (writing on the sky) is inscribed on its front side to show Vietnamese desire for knowledge. The Ink Slab, also built with stones, is held up by three frogs. Both of them have become sacred symbols relating to the national literature. Students often gather there to visit to pray for good luck in their studies and examinations.

The Huc Bridge – Ngoc Son Temple

One of the architectural highlights of Ngoc Son Temple is The Huc Bridge that is known as “the bridge where light is absorbed”. The Huc Bridge with red color looks like strip lying on the blue water of Hoan Kiem lake. This architecture makes it to become a splendid symbol of the Buddhist architecture and a famous tourist destination in Hanoi. Originally, when the lake was much large, visitors to the temple came by boat. In the 18th century, a simple bamboo bridge was built. Nguyen Van Sieu built a red wooden bridge and it was rebuilt in 1952 in the same style. The bridge still keeps the shape, remains 16 rows piles, with wooden deck. But horizontal and vertical beams are made of concrete.

Ngoc Son Temple from the gate

In front of the Temple is Tran Ba Dinh – a communal house in order to hold back water and other evil spirits.

Ngoc Son Temple has three main sections: the external one is the “bái đường” (kowtowing place), the central section is for worshiping Van Xuong- a great scholar of Vietnam and the end section is dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century.

Gate of Ngoc Son Temple

Although it is located at the centre of a developing city, this site still maintains a sense of the poetic atmosphere of ancient Thang Long. The complex of the Ngoc Son temple  is always an ancient symbol  of the thousand years of literature and the great pride of Vietnamese people in general and Hanoian in particular. Coming here, visitors have a chance to enjoy an integrated and ancient beauty and the feeling of relaxing.

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Duong Lam ancient village system

With the history of 1200 years, Duong Lam Ancient Village consists of 9 small villages. They are Mong Phu, Dong Sang, Doai Giap, Cam Thinh, Cam Lam, Phu Khang, Ha Tan, Hung Thinh and Van Mieu. However, when talking to Duong Lam Ancient Village, people usually mention to Mong Phu and Dong Sang villages. They usually visit the houses in Mong Phu, which have the most beautiful houses that maintained gate, fencing, courtyard, garden, main house, outbuilding, kitchen, and ranch like 200-300 years ago. The road of village also have special shape that is similar to bone of fish connect together. While you visit old houses, their owner is willing to spend time on showing you around the house and its history.

Almost the traditional houses have the same architecture with rows of columns and spans. The wooden house often has 5 or 7 spans with 2 wings and 5 rows of columns. The houses are sophisticated carved in details with the forms of flower, leaves, clouds, dragons, etc. The house was built from the blocks of laterite, wood and mud that are available in this area. They take mud from ponds of village and mix with laterite to build wall, gates, wells, etc.

Ancient houses in the village

Just take about one hour from Hanoi to Duong Lam, you will enjoy peaceful atmosphere of rural life. Escape from busy of city, open in your eyes is very old gate of Mong Phu village. Do take photo of this gate – the cultural symbol of Duong Lam Village. Go beyond the gate, you will feel a fresh air and peace of old village and discover the unique of Duong Lam.

There are approximately 1000 traditional houses. Most of the house has 100 years old and some house dates back to until 400 years. Do not miss to see some oldest houses such as house of Vu Thi Am in Dong Sang with special worship space. Or Mr. Kieu Anh Ban, the owner of 400 year-old house, everything intact even wooden door. Besides, communal house is the most attracting place that you cannot skip to see. The communal house is worship place of the founder of the village as well as a gathering place of the villagers for cultural activities. People built communal house carefully with complex details of decoration that exhibit the power of God and respect of villagers.

Temples in the village

Apart from the ancient houses, Duong Lam is famous for tangible relic sites consisting of temples, pagodas and tombs. Mia Temples, which was built in 1642, with 287 statues- the largest number of statues in Vietnam, is a good example. Additionally, the tomb and shrine of Phung Hung King and Ngo Quyen King with structure and decoration of the building. It contains many old characteristics are places tourist might enjoy. Specially, the family chapel and church is the landmark of the Duong Lam village. Besides, Duong Lam has much intangible cultural relic with various festivals, customs and literature at the different period of time.

Duong Lam Ancient Village plays an important role in Hanoi Tourism. In there, both local and foreigners wish to see an ancient and peaceful natural landscapes as well as architectural and cultural sites.

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Perfume Pagoda Festival

Yearly, thousands of pilgrims travel to this sacred cave to pray for happiness and prosperity in the coming year. Perfume Pagoda festival happens between the first and the third lunar month of the year (February to March). Consequently, this period begins after the Tet holiday (Lunar New Year). In Huong Tich Cave, it is believe that if you touch the Son Mountain or Daughter Mountain. People said that you will have son or daughter as your prayer. People also pray for wealthy and prosperity by touching silver and gold tree. Therefore, the festival period is busiest time. However, Perfume Pagoda not only attracts tourist by shrine and legendary of Buddhist sites. It is but also charming natural scenery. So Perfume Pagoda is the fantastic and scared attraction places around the year.

Perfume Pagoda Festival opens yearly on January 6^th

Yen stream – the best way to visit Perfume Pagoda by boat

To get to Perfume Pagoda, it takes you about 2 hours driving from Hanoi to Ben Duc ( Duc Pier). There are two way to reach to Chua Huong. The first way is a road from pier to the base of complex, and the second one is using row boat along Yen Stream. You should take a local sampan boat, which usually control by local women. This way is really romantic and the most interesting part in your trip with 45 minutes.

While sitting on the boat travelling along the Yen stream, you will enjoy the surrounding amazing landscapes of green rice paddles studded with jagged limestone mounts to the base of Huong Mountain.  You also see the Phoenix Mountain, Doi Cheo Mountain and Bung & Voi Mountain with interesting legendary on the left, Ngu Nhac Mountain on the right. The first stop of boat is Trinh temple, where people often burn the incense for the God of the Mountain. All visitors must register there to show their intentions before get into other pagodas and many temples, and Buddhist sites.

Visitors go by boat on Yen stream to Perfume Pagoda

Thien Tru Pagoda – Best stop on the way to Huong Tich cave

The visit continues to Thien Tru pagoda or better known Outer Pagoda constructed in 18^th century. This is famous for Thuy Tien Tower and Tien Son grotto on the right with various five granite statues on the wall of the cave. After that, you will reach to Giai Oan pagoda (Purgatorial Pagoda). Although goverment built a cable car system some years ago to serve a lot of tourists. Many visitors like to climb up thousand steps to the Perfume Pagoda to enjoy charming landscape two sides on the road.

Arrive to Huong Tich Cave; opening in your eyes is an open dragon mouth decorated in ancient Chinese letters which people wrote in 1770. This is entrance of Perfume pagoda. Get inside the cave, people carved many statues carved from the stone with different shrine. They include Lord Buddha, Buddhist goddess Quan Am and other Buddhist statues. Besides, Huong Tich Cave is fulfilled by stalactite and stalagmite that make Perfume Pagoda more mysterious. According to the legend about Huong Tich grotto, ruler of Northern Vietnam Trinh Sam inscribed on the entrance of cave “Nam Thien De Nhat Dong” meaning “the most beautiful cave under southern sky”.

Perfume Pagoda Tour from Hanoi center

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