maurizio caduto V i e t n a m

Perfume Pagoda

Perfume Pagoda is an interesting location, a daytrip away from Hanoi. It takes few hours by bus then a couple of hours by boat and finally about one and an half hour by foot; be advised for it is quite a steep walk - with a final cadeaux of slippery stairs downhill if you want to go to the cave as well. The Pagoda is very beautiful and the smaller one on the river bank half way is also very nice. Personally I don't think that the cave is worth the long walk but you will decide yourself. Do spend some time in the Pagoda's courtyard as it's very beautiful and peaceful and enjoy the trip on the boat, to me that's the real highlight of the journey.

As the river is the only way of communication in the area along the way you might come across boats carrying any kind of goods and stuff, I've seen one with a big dining table. Particularly during the Chinese new year a huge crowd gather at Perfume Pagoda therefore anyone that has something to sell brings it in by boat.