The Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong) is a complex of Buddhist temples and shrines in the limestone Huong Son mountains, about 60–70 km south-west of central Hanoi. The heart of it is Huong Tich cave, a vast cavern with altars and statues reached by a long climb or a cable car.
The approach is as memorable as the destination: a rowing-boat ride of about an hour along the Yen stream, between rice fields and karst hills. During the pilgrimage festival that begins after Lunar New Year and runs into spring, huge crowds of pilgrims come; outside that season it is much quieter.
What to see and do: Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong)
Boat along the Yen stream
Rowing boats carry you from the jetty to the start of the climb.
Huong Tich cave
Climb the path (an hour or more) or take the cable car, then descend into the cave.
Thien Tru pagoda
The large pagoda near the landing is the first major stop.
How to get to Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong)
- On a tour: the simplest option — Perfume Pagoda day trips include transport, boat and lunch.
- By private car: roughly 2 hours each way.
Insider tips
- Wear good shoes: the path is steep and can be slippery.
- Avoid the festival weeks unless you want to experience the pilgrimage crowds.
- Bring cash for the cable car and offerings.
Best tours & tickets for Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong)
These GetYourGuide experiences include Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong) or pair well with it:
Day trip from €48 From Hanoi: Full-Day Perfume Pagoda Group Tour with Lunch
A full-day group trip to the Perfume Pagoda: a rowing boat up the Yen stream, then on foot or by cable car to the cave pagoda of Huong Tich.
- Rowing boat along the Yen stream
- Pagodas and Huong Tich cave
- Lunch included
Craft village tour from €14 Hanoi: Incense Village, Hat, and Lacquer Artisanal Tour
A trip to craft villages outside Hanoi: the photogenic incense village, conical hat makers and a lacquer workshop. Very popular and inexpensive.
- Incense-making village
- Conical hat makers
- Lacquer art
Day trip from €43 Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Bai Dinh/Hoa Lu, Trang An & Mua Cave Tour
The classic Ninh Binh day: the old capital at Hoa Lu or Bai Dinh pagoda, a rowing-boat trip through the caves of Trang An and the climb to the Mua Cave viewpoint. More than 11,000 reviews.
- Trang An rowing-boat trip
- Hoa Lu or Bai Dinh
- Mua Cave viewpoint
