Option Private Tour: Hanoi: Perfume Pagoda with Boat Ride and Lotus Silk Village

Begin your journey by travelling to Phung Xa Commune in My Duc District, about 40 km from Hanoi City centre. Recognised as a traditional trade village in 2002, Phung Xa Commune has been famous for its traditional scarf and towel weaving since 1929.

As you explore the village, admire the rustic charm of tile-roof houses, beautiful hibiscus flower fences along the village road, and the friendly and hospitable locals.

Learn about the unique process of making lotus silk, one of the most unique masterpieces of Vietnamese artisans. Discover how lotus fibre is meticulously and skilfully extracted from lotus stems, a labor-intensive process that takes more than 10 days to extract 250 g of lotus silk from about 3,000 stems, just enough for weaving a scarf.

Admire the refined process of making a complete lotus silk scarf, from growing and harvesting lotus stems to extracting lotus fibre and weaving the final product. Depending on the thickness, length, and sophistication of an item, this process can take a long or short time.

After many failures in more than one year, Mrs. Thuan successfully weaved a lotus silk scarf with a distinctive scent. Due to the sophisticated and labor-intensive operation, the price for one lotus-silk item is quite high. One lotus-silk scarf can be sold at about VND 4 million, depending on its type and size.

Next, head to Ben Duc Boat Harbour and ride a motorbike or car to Yen Stream. From here, reach the Huong Son relic area, where you can explore the temples and pagodas.

Trinh Temple is the first stop, and Thien Tru Pagoda is the next. Their grandeur and beauty will leave you in awe. Huong Tich Cave is another highlight of the journey, situated 390 metres above sea level. You can reach the cave's on foot or by cable car.

Giai Oan Pagoda is located on Long Tuyen Mountain, about 2.5 kilometres away from Huong Tich Cave. It is dedicated to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, featuring a transparent well called Giai Oan. The water in the well is said to have healing properties.

If you have time, you can also visit other attractions such as Hinh Bong Pagoda, Dai Binh Cave, Tien Son Pagoda, and Tran Song Temple. Overall, this itinerary is a perfect blend of natural beauty, spirituality, and cultural significance.