PERFUME PAGODA

At the 5-star hotel Asia Gardens we enjoy sharing all we know about Asia with you. In today’s post, we would like to tell you about the Perfume Pagoda, a magical place in Vietnam.

The Perfume Pagoda is located 70km from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. This place consists of Buddhist pagodas and temples at the top of Perfume Mountain from where you can delight yourself with some of the most unique and amazing views. Additionally, Perfume Pagoda is one of the most popular spiritual spots in Vietnam.

The Pagoda is located inside a cave on top of Perfume Mountain, and it can only be accessed by going up steps for 4km, or by cable car. In order to get there, you first need to get to the jetty of Lake Yen Vi, where small and quaint red boats sail for almost an hour to get to the mountain. Once there, the visit of the temples begins.

The first temples of Perfume Pagoda date back to the 17th Century and were built by a Buddhist monk who was trying to reach spiritual enlightment. In time, more and more temples were added, and there are now more than a thousand temples in the same area. After the Indochina war against the French, most temples were destroyed and there are just a few left that can now be visited.

When entering the Den Trinh Sanctuary, there is a tradition to do with the literal translation of its name: Presentation shrine, which requires incense to be burnt (we have already mentioned its history and origin in a previous blog) in order to warn the gods of our presence and be blessed for the rest of the way.

Perfume Pagoda in itself is inside the Huong Tich cave or perfume cave. You must walk down 120 stone steps in order to reach the incredible altar with Buddha statues and a more than 1-metre tall bronze bell. It is said that this walk symbolises the descent to hell to then find the way to heaven.

It is interesting to know that on the rock there is an engraved inscription which says “the most beautiful cave under the southeast sky”.

The cave is full of stalactites and stalagmites of all shapes that have been named by the locals, rice plants, children and trees can be found. Also, couples who still do not have any offspring go to this Pagoda to pray, as told by popular belief.

We look forward to seeing you at the Asia Gardens where you will find the best of Asian culture without leaving Spain. See you next week.