| Quang Phu Cau Village
How to visit the incense village near Hanoi
For anyone who loves photography, a visit to Quang Phu Cau Village, also known as Vietnam’s incense village, is an absolute must! Located on the outskirts of Hanoi, this village is home to several incense factories. Visitors can witness hundreds of workers painting and drying bamboo to make incense sticks. Especially during the days leading up to Lunar New Year (also known as “Tet”), the village takes on a lively red and pink hue as millions of fragrant incense sticks are dried outdoors.
Curious? In this blog, we will tell you everything you need to know about visiting Quang Phu Cau Village.
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About Quang Phu Cau village
Quang Phu Cau Village is a small, traditional village located in the Ha Dong district of Hanoi, Vietnam. The village is known for its rich culture and friendly residents. Despite having the potential to become a popular tourist destination, Quang Phu Cau village still remains off the beaten path, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking an authentic and unique experience.
The village is located on the banks of the To Lich river, which forms a somewhat polluted backdrop for the village. The river is also an important source of water for agriculture, which many residents rely on for their livelihoods.
The village also has many traditional crafts, such as pottery and basket weaving, but it is most famous for its production of incense, which is used in many religious ceremonies and rituals in Vietnam. This incense is made from various natural ingredients, including herbs, wood, and resins.
After the incense is formed, it is left to dry for several days, which produces incredibly photogenic scenes of brightly colored bouquets of sticks that are placed on the streets and squares of the village. Once dry, the incense is wrapped in paper or placed in a holder and is ready for use.
The best time to visit Quang Phu Cau village
Those who want to observe the process of making incense and take incredible photos (like the ones in this blog) should go early. Try to reach the village around 10 am, as at that time the villagers lay out the incense to dry in various formations. This process will be completed around noon, when the workers take a lunch break.
The most spectacular time to visit Quang Phu Cau is around “Tet” (or Lunar New Year), when the production of incense is increased and the whole village turns red and pink as millions of fragrant incense sticks are dried on the streets.
The best place to make photographs
The best way to photograph the incense spectacle is from above. In this case, you don’t need to buy a drone. There is a certain square where the villagers provide platforms for those seeking this truly unique shot for a small fee. When you are there, look for this place: Làng làm hương đỏ.
How to get to Quang Phu Cau village from Hanoi?
Quang Phu Cau village is located in the Ha Dong district of Hanoi, Vietnam. There are several ways to get to the village from Hanoi, depending on your preferences and budget.
By bus: The most affordable and convenient way to get to Quang Phu Cau village from Hanoi is by taking the bus, line 91. The bus ride takes about 45 minutes to an hour (depending on where you board).
By taxi: Another option is to take a taxi from Hanoi to Quang Phu Cau village. This is a more expensive option, but it offers more comfort and flexibility. You can arrange with the driver to wait for you in the village or come back to pick you up after your visit. We chose this option and it worked well. Tip: make sure to have a good translation app on your phone, not every taxi driver speaks English (very well).
By motorbike: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a motorbike in Hanoi and make your way to Quang Phu Cau village on your own. This option gives you more freedom and flexibility to explore the area at your own pace, but it also comes with some risks due to the chaotic traffic in Hanoi. Also note that in Vietnam foreigners are not insured when driving a +50CC motorbike.
By tour: Another option is to book a tour to Quang Phu Cau village, which includes transportation and a guide. This option is convenient but more expensive than the other options mentioned earlier.
Note that Quang Phu Cau is not well-connected to public transportation besides bus 91, so it is a good idea to check the schedules and routes carefully before planning your trip. It’s also a good idea to bring a map or download a navigation app since the village is not well signposted.
Nabij Quang Phu Cau: Hanoi en Lan Ha Bay
Waarschijnlijk zal je avontuur naar het kleurrijke dorp Quang Phu Cau beginnen vanuit Hanoi. De reis van de bruisende hoofdstad naar het wierrookdorp toont niet alleen het dramatische contrast tussen stedelijke levendigheid en landelijke rust, maar biedt ook een unieke blik op de culturele diversiteit van Vietnam.
Na een betoverende ervaring in Quang Phu Cau, is het raadzaam om in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, de oude ziel van het kloppende hart van Vietnam te ontdekken. Onze gids door de Oude Wijk van Hanoi leidt je door de historische steegjes, waar de essentie van de hoofdstad tot leven komt in eeuwenoude architectuur, een diverse keuken en bruisende markten.
Vanuit Hanoi is een bezoek aan Lan Ha Bay een must. Slechts een korte reis vanuit Vietnam’s bruisende hoofdstad, biedt Lan Ha Bay een idyllische ontsnapping in de natuur. Het kristalheldere water, de torenhoge kalkstenen eilanden en afgelegen stranden maken Lan Ha Bay tot een ongerept paradijs, en presenteren een onbedorven en meer sereen alternatief voor het over-toeristische Ha Long Bay.
Met minder bezoekers kun je in alle rust kajakken, zwemmen en grotten verkennen, waardoor het de perfecte toevluchtsoord is voor degenen die rust zoeken te midden van Vietnam’s natuurlijke pracht. Onze reis door Lan Ha Bay nodigt je uit om dit ongerepte landschap te ervaren, en belooft een toevoeging aan je Vietnamese avontuur die je nooit zult vergeten.
Hi! We are Samira & Maurits, two travel enthusiasts with an enormous passion for photography.
With our free travel guides, we hope to inspire you and help you plan your dream holiday. We also provide important tips and tricks for making new journeys, but also for capturing those precious memories in your own travel photos.
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