Quang Phu Cau Incense Village and Vietnamese Worship Culture

For your stay in Hanoi, if you have already visited all the iconic must-see sites and are looking for an even more interesting experience to understand Asian culture, consider Quang Phu Cau Incense Village. This village exudes a vibrant and colorful beauty, while preserving the nostalgic characteristics unique to traditional craft villages in northern Vietnam. Many visitors, whether domestic or foreign, come here to discover, soak up the culture and learn more about the process of making incense sticks, a tradition that has lasted for over 100 years.

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Written by Hung DAO (Local Expert) Updated on 04-03-2024

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1. Where is Quang Phu Cau Incense Village and how to get there? 

The fragrant village of Quang Phu Cau is located in Ung Hoa district, about 35 km south of the heart of Hanoi. This charming village is renowned for its traditionally vibrant culture and friendly people. The atmosphere is very serene, little disturbed by the urban hustle and bustle. One can easily reach this place in just 40 minutes by road, using various modes of transport such as motorbike, taxi or bus. 

If you choose a motorbike as a means of transportation, the route leading to Quang Phu Cau incense stick craft village is as follows: from the city center, take National Road 21B, then take Departmental Road 429 in direction Quang Phu Cau. Due to heavy traffic in Hanoi, this option offers increased freedom to explore the area at your own pace, but it comes with risks. Pay attention to traffic and adjust your speed.

If you prefer to use public transportation, local bus number 91 is the most economical option to reach Quang Phu Cau village. However, it should be noted that this option may not be very convenient, since the bus stop of this number does not serve the central areas of the city where tourists reside.

Another option is to take a taxi or a private car, although this involves higher costs, offers a level of comfort and flexibility.

2. Why does Quang Phu Cau Incense Village attract tourists?

The village of Quang Phu Cau stands out as one of the most enchanting destinations for delving into traditional crafts and contemplating the splendors of ancestral Vietnamese culture. Both travelers and locals have a deep love for this place where cultural richness combines with a vibrant and unique beauty of colors.

Its streets are home to vast courtyards that unfold under the intense sunlight, creating the illusion of bouquets of red incense, like immense flowers. In this village dedicated to incense, the sticks are assembled in generous clusters, their ends joining and their stems blooming evenly, like flowers in full bloom. Sporting the auspicious hues of the Orient, yellow and red, Quang Phu Cau incense sticks arouse fascination and admiration. This place is a popular haunt for local and international photographers, with works that have won numerous awards.

3. How to produce incense sticks?

Before we explore how incense sticks are made, let's take a moment to delve into Vietnamese worship culture. 

• Incense and the Culture of Ancestor Worship

Vietnam, a land steeped in a rich tradition focused on ancestor worship and deeply rooted in the teachings of Buddhism. The ritual of offering incense is a custom familiar to most Asians, regardless of age or location. Incense sticks have deeply rooted their presence in the cultural and religious life of the Vietnamese, symbolizing a traditional, intimate and sacred beauty.

Even for those who are not superstitious, the idea resonates in the minds of all Asians: burning incense creates an invisible link between the visible and invisible world. The act of presenting incense to their ancestors, whether on holidays or in everyday life, is ingrained in their culture. When the gentle smoke of incense rises, a feeling of comforting warmth invades the hearts. It is a deeply rooted belief that the act of burning incense and the smoke it gives off serve as messengers for their prayers to their ancestors.

• The stages of making incense:

Incense is intrinsically linked to the spiritual realm, which implies that the stages of its manufacture cannot in any way be neglected. It is imperative that the ingredients used to make it are always impeccably clean.

Making an incense stick requires a series of meticulous steps on the part of the artisan: splitting the bamboo, sharpening the toothpicks, dyeing the sticks, shaping the stems, drying them and packaging them. The realization of this spiritual product requires a considerable investment of effort.

First of all, the bamboo used is cut and polished to obtain thin sticks. The workers then sort the toothpicks and package them into small packets which will later be used for dyeing incense sticks. About a third of the stick is then covered with a layer of red paint, or in other colors as needed. The remaining two thirds are coated with incense powder, obtained from fragrant plant elements which are reduced to powder then carefully mixed in precise proportions. This step determines the scent specific to each type of incense.

Once the stick is ready, it is exposed to the sun to prevent any mold from forming. Additionally, local artisans often mix this powder with aromatic herbs, creating a scent that is exquisite, long-lasting and enchanting.

4. When to go to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village?

The incense village of Quang Phu Cau remains an accessible destination all year round, but it particularly vibrates during the Tet season, the celebration of the Lunar New Year.

For a successful visit, an important tip: in Quang Phu Cau, incense dries everywhere. However, when you want to immortalize these scenes in residents' yards, it is essential to obtain their permission beforehand. It is imperative not to enter or photograph without consent. Additionally, to support local residents, consider acquiring a few packs of incense, whether for your own use or as a gift.

For photography enthusiasts looking to capture striking images, choose outfits whose colors contrast with the red incense sticks. Shades like white, yellow or blue are preferable. This way, your shots will not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also remarkably distinct.

5. In Hanoi, are there other traditional craft villages worth visiting?

If you are passionate about culture and want to explore traditional craft villages in Hanoi, you have come to the right place. A few dozen kilometers from the center of the capital, these villages are easily accessible and offer rich experiences. Here are some suggestions to make your visit convenient.

• Chuông Conical Hat Village: This village, located about 30 km south of Hanoi, has specialized in making the famous Vietnamese conical hats for more than 300 years. 
• Bat Trang Pottery Village: About 20 km east of Hanoi, on the banks of the Red River, the village of Bat Trang is known worldwide for its ceramics produced for over 600 years. It houses the largest number of ceramic kilns in the country.
• Thai Ha Lacquerware Village: Located about 20 km south of Hanoi, this village has been renowned for its traditional lacquerware crafts for over 200 years. 
• Van Phuc Silk Village: About fifteen kilometers from the capital, the village of Van Phuc is a must. For nearly a thousand years, he has devoted himself to cultivating mulberry trees and weaving silk.

Last words,

Quang Phu Cau Incense Village stands out among Hanoi's traditional craft villages that persist and thrive. Not only does it preserve the heritage of craftsmanship imbued with cultural meaning, but these traditional villages also promise you a destination to better understand this land rich with thousands of years of civilization.

Source: VOV, Hanoi Department of Culture and Tourism