Fees to visit Huong (Perfume) Pagoda, will increase 50 per cent from VND49,000 ($2.2) to VND78,000 ($3.4) from the beginning of 2017, according to latest announcement from the Management Board of Huong Pagoda.

This is the first change of the price since 2012, the Board said, and the increase aims to match the rising costs that have occurred during the past five years in order to maintain the relics on the site.

Around 60 kilometers from the centre of Hanoi, Huong (Perfume) Pagoda, in Huong Son commune, is one of the country’s largest and most unique religious sites.

The pagoda complex consists of several Buddhist pagodas and temples in and on Huong Tich lime-stone mountain. At the centre of the complex is Huong Pagoda, built inside Huong Tich Cave. Nature’s unique stone carvings, together with the magnificent traditional pagodas makes it the most beautiful grotto of the country and the top destination in the region.

Huong Pagoda is also famous for its Spring Festival which takes place during Tet (Lunar New Year Festival). Thousands of visitors from all regions of the country, as well as foreign tourists go to Huong Pagoda to attend the festival starting on the lunar date of January 6th and lasting for three lunar months.

Their aim is to visit the scenic setting of Huong Pagoda and pray for happiness and prosperity for themselves and their family in the new year. On the way to Huong Pagoda, visitors will experience a journey on a local sampan boat on the idyllic Yen (Swallow) Stream from Duc pier. During the trip, visitors view magnificent lime-stone mountains on one side and rich, green rice paddy fields on the other.

After the boat trip, guests will climb up the mountain for about 45 minutes and explore the holy caves. The path to Huong Tich winds its way through magnificently luxuriant landscapes.

There is also a cable car which takes only 15 minutes for those who do not want to climb. But it is believed that climbing up to the top of Huong Tich Mountain will bring you fulfillment and great success in life. People usually bring a tray of votive offerings, fruits and food to present to Buddha who is worshipped at Huong Tich Pagoda.

Visiting pagodas and attending the Huong Pagoda Festival in particular have become a traditional custom of the Vietnamese at the beginning of Lunar New Year.

VN Economic Times