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The Perfume pagoda of Ha Tay Province
With Ha Dong as provincial capital, Ha Tay lies to the southwest of and at the entrance to Ha Noi capital. For this reason, all of its tourist attractions are around 50km from the centre of Ha Noi and easily accessible by land. Chua Huong (Perfume Pagoda) stands amidst a large area of scenic interest named Huong Son in My Son district, almost 70km to the southwest of Ha Noi. Actually, Chua Huong (Perfume Pagoda) is a complex of pagodas and Buddhist shrines and natural scenery consisting of mountains ( Mam Xoi or Raspberry mountain, Con Ga or Cock mountain, Voi or Elephant mountain, Lon or Kylin mountain...), forests, streams (Yen and Tuyet), grottoes (Huong Tich, Hinh Bong, Ngoc Long, Chua Tien) and pagodas (Ngoai or Cho, Trong or Huong, Hinh Bong, Long Van, Bao Dai...).
The most outstanding spots are Huong Tich Grotto and Huong Pagoda. Nam Thien De Nhat Dong (The most beautiful grotto in the South) - the distinction conferred by Lord Trinh Sam - remains visible on the wall of Huong Tich Grotto. It is in the area surrounding Perfume Pagoda that the traces of the primitive mankind as well as the archaeological artifacts of the Hoa Binh-Bac Son cultures have been discovered. Perfume Pagoda is also reputed for its valuable medicinal herbs. Dong Mo is a tourist attraction for those who love nature and are fond of golf. At the very foot of Ba Vi Mountain is Dong Mo, a poetic valley with a man-made reservoircovering 1,500 ha and more than 20 islets. Dong Mo Golf Course is covered with velvety, verdant grass, and has 18 holes of international standard. In addition, Ha Tay attracts local and foreign visitors by such beautiful sites as Son Tay Citadel, Tay Phuong Pagoda, Chua Thay (Master’s Pagoda). At last is Tan Vien Temple in Ba Vicommune (Ba Vidistrict, Ha Tay). Built in the times of the northern domination, this temple was in dedication to God of Tan Vien Mountain or Mountain God.
Sixty kilometers southwest of HaNoi is Chua Huong compound. Usually known to foreign tourists as the Perfume Pagoda, it is found on the last range of the Son La-Mac Chau limestone range in northern Vietnam and covers 5,134 ha stretching over the four southern communes of My Son district in Ha Tay province.Occupying an important position in both Buddhism and Vietnamese culture, Chua Huong adds a unique cultural feature to the Southeast Asian and Asian region. The area’s romantic scenery provides a perfect backdrop to the development of spiritual life as well as providing magical natural surroundings.
Foreigners coming here seem to be very drawn to its beauty and nature’s romantic scenery which bears deep Vietnamese cultural characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to improve Chua Huong’s infrastructure to preserve its natural as well as cultural heritage. However, unfortunately, the entire area is now facing severe environmental pollution and traffic problems caused, on the one hand by tourists and, on the other, by bad management by local authorities. Better-late-than-never, the Ministry of Planning and Investment has recently received a master plan on Environmental Improvement and Traffic Solutions. But first, Chua Huong’s two major problems must be solved. Local authorities reveal that if these pollution and traffic problems are not overcome quickly, the area will face total destruction in the near future.
Some are even thinking of making Chua Huong the place to pray for world peace. If so, it would become the third place in the world after Verona in Italy and Hiroshima in Japan, and planners are working hard from now to the year 2000 to achieve this goal.
++ The Perfume Pagoda Highlights
Huong Son Tourist Areacovers an area of a thousand hectares and includes a complex of mountains, rivers and streams, villages, pagodas, and grottoes surrounded by the Huong Tich Mountain Range, north of the Truong Son Range.
To get to Huong Son from Hanoi, go by car to Ha Dong Town, and then continue on to Van Dinh Townlet. At the Te Tieu marking point, turn right and continue to Duc Wharf. Stop here and take a boat along the Yen Stream for about 3km to Tro Wharf, from where the Huong Son Tourist Area is accessible.
Huong Son Tourist Area is divided into three lines:
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Huong Tich Line: It consists of Yen Stream, Trinh Temple, Hoi Bridge, Thanh Son and Huong
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Dai Pagoda, Thien Tru, Hinh Bong, Tien Pagoda, Giai Oan Pagoda, Cua Vong Temple, Huong
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Tich Grotto.
Yen Stream flows between two mountains for 3km. However, sitting on the boat and enjoying the surrounding landscape, tourists may feel that this stream is endless. During the festive season, the stream is full of boats carrying pilgrims who have come to enjoy the landscape of Huong Son. Traveling along Yen Stream, tourists pass by landscapes, many of which are named according to their forms. On the left is Phoenix Mountain there is also Doi Cheo Mountain, which looks like an Indian python (Tran). Also on the left are Bung and Voi, two mountains having interesting legends. On the right is Ngu Nhac Mountain with the Trinh Temple where visitors stop and burn incense for the God of the Mountain. Before reaching Tro Wharf where the tour begins, the boat also passes by the Deo and Phong Su Mountains, Son Thuy Huu Tinh Cave, Trau Cave, Hoi Bridge, and Dau Valley.
Thien Tru Pagoda is also called Tro Pagoda. Founded by Venerable Van Thuy Thien Thien Tran Dao Vien Quang, the pagoda was initially a small thatch. During the French Domination Period, the pagoda was destroyed. However, the Thien Tru Pagoda was reconstructed after 1954, and in 1991, the Three Entrance gate of the pagoda was built in its present day form. To the right of the pagoda is the tower garden where the monk bones are buried. At the back, there is Thien Thuy Thap; on the left is a semicircle lake.
Tien Son Pagoda To reach the Tien Son Pagoda from Thien Tru Pagoda, follow a small path, turn right, and then continue for about 1km. This small pagoda to worship Bodhisattva Quan Am is located on a high mountain in Nui Tien Grotto. Inside the pagoda and grotto there are multi-forms of stalactites. Music can be made by knocking on several of these stalactites.
Giai Oan Pagoda The tour continues to Huong Tich Pagoda and Grotto (also called Trong Pagoda), and then to Giai Oan Pagoda, which was founded by Patriarch Monk Thong Dung Huy Tam II. Originally, Giai Oan Pagoda was a small thatch located on Long Tuyen Mountain. The pagoda was restored in 1928, and again in 1937. In 1995, the Tu Van Temple and the yard of the pagoda were built. Bodhisattva Quan The Am is worshipped at this pagoda. At present, the valuable statue of Tu Ty Quan Am cast in the 18th century is kept in Tu Van Temple. Inside the pagoda, there is the Thanh Tri well, which according to legend was the place where Bo Tat Quan The Am Dieu Thien took a bath before going to the Buddha. Since that time, pilgrims have come to drink the water from this well to rid themselves of their desires and sufferings of daily life.
Huong Tich Pagoda and Grotto From Giai Oan Pagoda, the tour continues to Huong Tich Pagoda and Grotto, located 2.5km from Thien Tru Pagoda, reached by climbing some stone-steps. At the top of the stairs is the gate of the grotto, which looks like the mouth of a dragon. Visitors then descend 120 stone steps into the Huong Tich Grotto.
In the middle of the entrance, there is a stalactite called Dun Gao (meaning box of rice); deeper in the cave, there is said to be one way to Heaven and one way to Earth. A statue of Bodhisattva Quan Am made of green stone during the Tay Son Dynasty is also found in the cave. Stalagmites resembling golden trees, silver trees, cocoons, hillocks, and a group of nine dragons surround the statue.
Written on the entrance of the famous Huong Tich pagoda are the five Chinese characters "Nam Thien De Nhat Dong", meaning the most beautiful grotto under the southern skies. These were the words spoken by Lord Trinh Sam in the 17th century when he visited the grotto. Long Van Line: It consists of Long Van Pagoda and Grotto, Fairy Grotto, Nguoi Xua Grotto, Cay Khe Pagoda, Hinh Bong Pagoda.
Long Van Pagoda After travelling down the Yen River, the tour then continues by boat to Trinh Temple. Next, the tour stops at the Long Van Pagoda. Long Van Pagoda, surrounded by white clouds all year round, is situated on the slope of a mountain half in An Son Mountain and half in the forest. The Long Van Grotto was founded in 1920. The grotto, though small, creates mixed feelings for its visitors.
Tuyet Pagoda Line: It consists of Phu Yen Temple, Tuyet Son Pagoda, Ca Pagoda, Bao Dai Co Sat, Mau Pagoda, Thuong Pagoda, Ngoc Long Pagoda.
Tuyet Son Pagoda To reach this area from Thien Tru, follow a small road, turn left toward the south, and then continue for approximately 4km. The Tuyet Pagoda Tour is a visit to the second most beautiful landscape complex. Tuyet Stream is small, but the water is green and clear and flows around the mountain like a running dragon. The first stop on this tour is the Phu Yen Temple to burn incense to the God of the Mountain. Next, pilgrims go to Bao Dai Co Sat to worship Buddha. Bao Dai Pagoda is pleasant and quiet. Inside the pagoda, there is a valuable Nine Dragon Shrine. The tour continues to Ngoc Long Grotto, which is not very large but has a unique style. The stalactites and stalagmites look like the nests of dragons. The best attraction is a statue of Bodhisattva Quan Am with her tender and kind-hearted face sculpted in the cliff.
Dong Mo King Island’s Golf Club is Situated 36km west of Hanoi, 45km from Noi Bai International Airport, in Dong Mo, Son Tay Town, Ha Tay Province is the first 36-hole facility in northern Vietnam, including an air-conditioned clubho& restaurant, driving range, pro-shop, putting greens and sand bunker. It also has a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, sauna, guest villas, and boat dock.
Kings’ Island Golf is an international standard golf club. The club is located the 350ha Kings’ Valley, along the shores of Dong Mo Lake. Access to the course is by boat.
Opened in 1993, the 18-hole Lakeside course has numerous and varied uses of the water surrounding the course and the gently sloping terrain. Water is in play on 13 of the 18 holes. Nature herself has created a superb setting for this very challenging 6,454 Yards, Par 72 course.Mountain View course was opened in 2004. The course is designed to fit the setting’s natural contours. The design takes maximum advantage of the ambience of the waterside setting, distant mountains and surrounding trees. The layout of the golf course will excite and challenge all levels of players.
Just about 11 km, 30 minutes by motorbike from the centre of Hanoi,, in Ha Dong township, lying by dreamlike Nhue river, a small village called Van Phuc where owns traditional silk weaving trade which become famous all over the world. It is said that silk weaving trade here dated back over 1000 years ( 8th century) its products are most diversified in models and have high as made by traditional technology preserve and develop from generation to generation
Van Phuc village is famous for its silk products. Shirts, crafts, ties, dresses and many other things made of silk can be found in the village. The special thing is that the silk used there is made with very simple looms. This has attracted many visitors to the village wishing to see the traditional Vietnamese way of making silk. In order to promote economic development, many houses in the village have been turned into shops selling silk products to customers.
If you want to buy gifts from Vietnam for your foreign friends, you should definitely go to the village. But more than just that, you will have the chance to explore what daily life in Vietnam’s countryside is like. The village also has many historical and cultural relics. |
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