Join Asia King Travel on an unforgettable journey to uncover the hidden gem of Vietnam: the Incense Village of Quang Phu Cau. This village, which is surrounded by beautiful scenery, is well-known for its exceptional incense production and the picturesque decoration of its products attracting tourists far and wide.
Quang Phu Cau Located about 35km from the center of Hanoi city, Quang Phu Cau is an incense-making village situated in Quang Phu Cau commune, Ung Hoa district. Quang Phu Cau itself is comprised of multiple smaller villages such as Phu Luong Thuong, Dao Tu and Cau Bau. Recently, Quang Phu Cau has emerged as one of the most famous incense-making villages in Vietnam. The secret to their success is how artisans treat and handle their newly made crafts. First, incense sticks are bundled in large quantities, with their top sticking together and their handles spreading out evenly like blooming flowers. The artisans would creatively decorate the bundles of incense sticks in various forms, such as the map of Vietnam and unique flower designs. Images of the picturesque decorations then are quickly spread on social media, resulting in not only tourists flocking from all over the world to admire its beauty, but also various media outlets covering the uniqueness of an obscure craft village in Vietnam.
The incense village of Quang Phu Cau has been around and developing for over 100 years. Previously, only the Phu Luong Thuong village was where incense makers could be found. However, the craft quickly spread all over the commune, and this occupation eventually became common in the villages of Dao Tu and Cau Bau as well. Due to this, the vast commune of Quang Phu Cau as a whole has grown to become one of the most well-known incense-producing villages outside of Hanoi’s urban area. People visiting Quang Phu Cau village nowadays would eagerly see the beauty preserved with the hallmarks of a Northern Delta community from the past while also retaining a hint of modernism.
This is definitely the most convenient mode of transport to visit Quang Phu Cau. The price of renting a motorbike for tourists per day in Hanoi is not too expensive, only about 120.000 VND (5 USD) per day depending on the type of motorbike you choose. Motorbikes are undoubtedly the best option if you want to travel more freely because Hanoi's roadways are comparatively small and narrow while having a high volume of traffic. The route to Quang Phu Cau goes as follows: City center - National Highway 21B - Provincial Road 429 - Quang Phu Cau commune.
Getting there by bus is also an excellent option if you want to have a tranquil experience along the way. You can visit Yen Nghia bus station, then take bus number 91, and then depart at the last station which is the Quang Phu Cau commune.
A more costly option can be going by bike taxi (xe om) or by car taxi. Tourists can book one by using apps like Grab, Be and GoJek, all of which are similar to Uber.
Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is at its busiest during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year). You can schedule a visit during this period to observe the bustling labor happening.
People would also often dry incense on sunny days, so you should check the weather in advance before traveling there. You should preferably pick sunny days to travel but choosing cooler days also makes a rather unique experience.
As the attraction is renowned for its picturesque decorations, you should obviously try to take pictures of them, or yourself posing at the fields when you come to visit Quang Phu Cau. The fee if you wish to take pictures with the incense fields is 100,000 VNĐ (about 4,10 USD).
Tourists visiting Quang Phu Cau can hear more about the incense-making process from the local artisans. The ingredients used to make incense must be carefully selected while the producing process must be precise and detailed, albeit with the help of advanced machines nowadays.
You can also buy souvenirs which are the incense themselves to take home with you. This is also a way to support the hard-working artisans who have created such a work of art.
In summary, Quang Phu Cau Incense Village epitomizes the timeless charm and cultural richness of Vietnam's countryside. With its exceptional incense production, picturesque decorations, and rich history, it invites travelers to delve into a world of tradition and craftsmanship. Visiting Quang Phu Cau offers a memorable journey into the heart of Vietnamese heritage, leaving visitors captivated by its beauty and authenticity. If you wish to visit Quang Phu Cau or any other sites in Hanoi, you can contact us to plan ahead for your trip.