Huong Pagoda Festival, Hanoi

The Huong Pagoda Festival is one of the most popular cultural and spiritual events in Vietnam. This festival is celebrated every April in the beautiful region of Huong Son (Perfume mountain) which is approximately sixty kilometers southwest of Hanoi. 

This festival attracts thousands of Viet pilgrims as well as tourism because people attend for blessing, sightseeing and feeling the diversified Buddhism of Vietnam. For an interested tourist, the Huong Pagoda Festival brings a fascinating touch of religious sites, antiques, and science.

Huong Pagoda Festival Legend

It actually dates back to the 15th century when three monks came upon the Huong Tich cave which contains a shrine. It is said to commemorate that a princess Dieu Thien was reborn as Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of mercy and got the achievement in this land.

Vietnamese Buddhists continue to commemorate her birthday on the 19th day of the second lunar month, though the main festival celebrations now center around the 15th day.

For many, a visit to the Huong Pagoda is not just a sightseeing trip but a pilgrimage. According to tradition, visiting the pagodas and caves here during the festival brings health, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead.

What is the Season of Huong Pagoda Festival?

The Huong Pagoda Festival is held from the 15th to the 20th day of the second lunar month (usually in February or March, depending on the lunar calendar. In certain years it begins when many people go to the Pagoda after the first day of the Lunar calendar.

This is a festival that extends for three months and brings not only locals, but people from all over the world to observe this dynamic and religious holiday.

Who Do People Worship at the Huong Pagoda Festival?

Worshiping Avalokitesvara, also called Quan Am in Vietnamese culture, is the main religious practice performed during the Huong Pagoda Festival. The principal temple of Huong Pagoda, Huong Tich Cave, is devoted to Avalokitesvara.

In festivals, people come to burn prayers or light candles in the hope of happiness, success, and good health in the year ahead. Apart from Avalokitesvara, people also worship Buddha and the goddess of the mountain.

What Activities to Do at the Festival?

For us, the Huong Pagoda Festival is a real masterpiece of the spirituality and cultural activities with the wonderful nature of the country. Here are some of the highlights that you won’t want to miss:

Sacred Pagodas and Caves

The beautiful verse describes scenic spot of Huong Pagoda (also known as Perfume Pagoda), designated by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site, which makes one can’t help having the feeling that is one were lost in a world of fairies. Therefore, the festival offers a wonderful experiences that blend spiritual practices with natural beauty

• Visit the famous Huong Tich Cave, known as “Vietnam’s First Cave”
• Explore Tuyet Son and Long Van temples
• Enjoy stunning mountain and river views

Boat Rides on the Yen Stream

One of the festival’s most enchanting experiences is the boat journey along Yen Stream. Local residents skillfully paddle wooden boats through waters surrounded by blooming apricot trees, creating a serene atmosphere that perfectly suits meditation and reflection. The gentle sound of water and occasional Buddhist chants create a peaceful soundtrack to your journey.

Incense Offering Ceremonies

The religious ceremonies form the spiritual core of the festival. Visitors can participate in solemn incense offering rituals and traditional Buddhist ceremonies. A unique aspect is the sharing of blessed food offerings, known as “loc,” which is believed to bring good fortune to those who receive it.

Cultural performances and folk games 

The festival isn’t just about spiritual practices – it’s also a celebration of Vietnamese culture. Throughout the event, the air fills with the sounds of traditional music and dancing.

Local people organize exciting boat races along the stream, while brave participants test their skills in climbing contests. Visitors can join in folk games that have been passed down through generations, making the festival a living museum of Vietnamese traditions.

Travel Tips:

• Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds
• Set aside a full day for your visit
• Wear comfortable walking shoes
• Bring traditional offerings if you want to join ceremonies
• Consider hiring a local guide for cultural insights

If you are interested in religious beliefs, then this festival is a great chance to discover the essence of Buddhism in Vietnam, but other numerous visitors are attracted by beautiful nature and exotic atmosphere of the festival. It is the mixture of ancient ceremony and spring festivity which is an excellent complement to any Vietnam travel program.

Note: If you are thinking of coming here, you must bear in mind that although the overall duration of the festival is three months, the best experience of the festival can only be had during the second lunar month.

A pilgrimage to the Huong Pagoda Festival cannot only be for religious reasons, but to see the numerous natural shapes that are typical of the landscape and the buildings that are valuable artifacts of the nation. When you make a pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda you are in the middle of nature at its best, with a gorgeous river, caves, and mountains. Therefore, people of different ages all so interested in the Huong Pagoda Festival.