Hanoi: Quang Phu Cau Incense Village & Perfume Pagoda Tour

Wander through fields of red incense sticks and meet artisans crafting traditions over 100 years old.

A full-day cultural tour from Hanoi visiting Quang Phu Cau incense village and Huong Pagoda, with hotel pickup, English-speaking guide, lunch and entrance fees included. You meet local craftspeople who have made incense for over a century, ride a boat along the Yen Stream past rice fields and temples, explore the Huong Tich Cave, and visit the ancient Thien Tru Pagoda. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours and suits all fitness levels; you can walk or take a cable car to reach the pagoda's mountain views.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit incense village and Perfume Pagoda

• Hotel pick-up in Hanoi
• Travel to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village
• Explore incense village and meet artisans
• Lunch at local Vietnamese restaurant
• Boat ride along Yen Stream to Ben Duc village
• Visit pagodas and Huong Tich Cave
• Hike or cable car to Huong Pagoda
• Visit Thien Tru Pagoda
• Return by boat and drive back to Hanoi

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Hanoi hotel and a drive into the countryside toward Quang Phu Cau, where red incense sticks dry in the sun like flowers spread across the ground. You walk through narrow village alleys where the air carries the scent of incense being made by hand—the same way families have done it for more than 100 years. Local artisans show you how they craft each stick, and you see the simple vehicles that carry bundles to markets across Vietnam. The work is meticulous and the pay is low, yet the village has survived economic shifts by holding onto the skill itself.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you travel to Ben Duc village and board a small boat for a one-hour ride along the Yen Stream. Rice fields and green hills line the water, and you pass old temples before arriving at Huong Pagoda, one of Vietnam's most sacred Buddhist sites. You can walk up the mountain or take a cable car to explore the famous Huong Tich Cave and the ancient Thien Tru Pagoda, known for its carved details and quiet atmosphere. The views from above stretch across green mountains and clear streams. You light incense, take photos, and sit in the stillness before the boat carries you back downstream and the driver returns you to Hanoi.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return to Hanoi.
• entrance fees to Quang Phu Cau, Huong Pagoda and Thien Tru Pagoda.
• lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day.
• English-speaking tour guide.
• bottled water on the vehicle.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by VN Bike Tour

Is this one for you?Choose the group tour to share costs with other travelers, or book private if you want your own guide and vehicle for your group; add the three-villages option to visit a second craft location.

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Top questions

What exactly do you do at Quang Phu Cau incense village?

At Quang Phu Cau, you walk through the village and watch local artisans make incense sticks by hand, learning about the craft that has supported families for over 100 years. You can try the traditional techniques yourself and photograph the brilliant red sticks drying in the sun.

Is the hike up to Huong Pagoda difficult, or can you avoid it?

You can choose to walk up the mountain or take a cable car instead—both options reach the Huong Tich Cave and the pagoda's views. The tour suits all fitness levels, so the choice is yours depending on what you prefer that day.

How long is the boat ride along the Yen Stream?

The boat ride lasts about one hour and takes you past rice fields, temples and green hills on the way to Huong Pagoda. You stop to visit pagodas along the route before reaching the cave.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes hotel pickup, entrance fees to all sites, lunch at a local restaurant, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide and bottled water. The cable car and boat rides are optional and cost extra if you choose them.

Can you book this tour in a language other than English?

The tour is offered in English, Spanish, Italian, French and several other languages. A surcharge applies if you request a guide in a language other than English.

How long is the full tour, and when does it end?

The tour runs 7 to 8 hours total, including the drive from Hanoi, all stops and the return to your hotel. You'll be back in the city by late afternoon or early evening.