Visiting Quang Phu Cau: The Vibrant Incense Village of Vietnam

The Hanoi area of Vietnam boasts many fascinating destinations for a short trip outside the bustling city. A highlight for photographers is the colorful incense village of Quang Phu Cau, where local artisans craft vibrant incense sticks.

This charming village has been producing incense sticks for over a century, with vibrant bundles displayed under the sun daily to dry. This brilliant sight is not only a treat to the eyes but also a great opportunity for stunning photography.

Quang Phu Cau is easily accessible from Hanoi, making it a perfect half-day trip. The welcoming locals are friendly to visitors and photographers, adding to its growing popularity among tourists.

This travel guide will detail how to reach the incense village (with or without a tour), the optimal times for photography, and all essential information needed before your visit!

Best Tour For The Vietnam Incense Village

GetYourGuide offers a highly-rated incense village tour, including pickup and drop-off from hotels in Hanoi’s old quarter.

This five-hour tour also features a visit to the picturesque Hanoi train street, conducted by an English-speaking guide. The package includes air-conditioned transfers and all entrance fees for the Quang Phu Cau incense village. Both join-in and private tours are available for convenience.

What To Expect At Quang Phu Cau Incense Village

At Quang Phu Cau, witness the colorful bamboo incense sticks being dyed and laid out to dry each morning. While red predominates, you’ll find other vibrant hues like green, yellow, purple, maroon, and turquoise.

The vast arrays of incense sticks create a scene resembling a blooming flower garden. Occasionally, you might see the incense arranged in patterns that echo the shape of Vietnam or the star from the national flag.

The locals are incredibly hospitable, encouraging you to explore and capture as many photos as you desire. Elevated platforms are available, providing excellent vantage points for photography – in fact, they might be the best perspective for capturing the scene.

Drones are permitted in Quang Phu Cau, and many tourists utilize them for enhancing their video footage, although quality photos can easily be obtained just from the platforms!

When visiting, the best yard to explore is marked on Google Maps as ‘Lang lam huong do’. This particular area is stunningly photogenic and hosts many images featured in this article!

Some tours include insights into the incense production process, which encompasses bamboo chopping, dyeing, and paste creation—an experience not to be missed!

Entrance Fees

Access to the incense village requires an entrance fee ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 Vietnamese Dong (approximately $2 to $4 USD) per person. After payment, visitors can roam freely across all platforms and take as many photos as they like. It’s advisable to bring cash for ticket purchases.

If you opt for a tour of the incense village, these entrance fees are usually included in the overall price, allowing for a seamless experience.

Some photographers choose to pay local workers to pose in traditional rice farming hats, and the locals, known for their friendly demeanor, usually welcome this interaction for a small fee of about 100,000 Dong ($4 USD). Traditional Vietnamese attire (ao dai) and hats can also be rented, but pricing details for these services may vary. Additionally, snacks and drinks are available within the village.

Best Time To Visit The Incense Village

The prime time to visit the incense village is when the weather is dry and clear, ensuring that the colorful incense sticks are laid out for viewing. Rainy weather necessitates covering the incense to protect it, thereby limiting photo opportunities. Indoor displays exist, such as this one; however, they lack the visual appeal of outdoor arrangements.

Mornings are generally ideal for visits, presenting cooler temperatures. Incense is continuously prepared throughout the day, allowing for afternoon visits as well.

Commencing your journey from the Hanoi old quarter around 8 AM would position you in the incense village between 9:30 AM and noon, making it convenient for a return trip to Hanoi.

How To Get To The Incense Village From Hanoi

Quang Phu Cau, part of the Ung Hoa district, is located approximately 40 kilometers south of Hanoi’s city center. Here are several transportation options:

• By Car / Motorbike

Driving to Quang Phu Cau from Hanoi is possible via DCT Ha Noi – Ninh Binh/DCT Phap Van – Cau Gie/CT01 or through QL1A and D. 429.

Utilizing an offline map, navigate to ‘Lang lam huong do’ on Google Maps, then walk through the alley for a picturesque experience. The normally 1.5-hour drive may be shorter during less busy traffic; however, driving in Hanoi can be challenging for inexperienced travelers.

• By Taxi

A taxi provides a more comfortable and safer journey to the incense village. Although more expensive, it proves economical when shared among several friends. Your Hanoi hotel can assist with taxi arrangements. Inform the driver of your destination and request that they wait for a couple of hours while you explore the village.

Ensure you have a translation app and an offline map handy to guide the driver effectively to ‘Lang lam huong do’.

• By Grab / GoJek

Using Grab or GoJek is another alternative, with rates slightly lower than traditional taxis; however, returning to Hanoi might present difficulties. Limited driver availability and weak phone signals in Quang Phu Cau can complicate ride-hailing after your visit.

• By Bus

The bus offers a budget-friendly option to access the incense village from Hanoi, though it necessitates more time and planning. First, secure a taxi or bus to the Yen Nghia bus station in western Hanoi. Following this, board bus line 91, which takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach Quang Phu Cau.

• By Tour

Booking a tour is one of the most efficient ways to reach the incense village. GetYourGuide provides an extensively reviewed Quang Phu Cau tour, complete with an English-speaking guide and transportation from Hanoi’s old quarter.

Thank you for reading! We hope you find this guide beneficial for visiting the vibrant Quang Phu Cau incense village on a half-day trip from Hanoi, Vietnam.

In case you are curious, Vietnam hosts several other incense villages, including Thuy Xuan incense village in Hue. You can explore tours available here.

Lastly, check out the Vietnam Travel Guide for more travel tips, insights, and stunning photos!

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