The Traditional Craft Village right in the heart of the capital city of Hanoi is surprising foreign tourists with its unique experiences
There are even places that travelers are so enamored with that they travel a long distance just to find them. The following is one such example, featured in a video by a foreign female tourist with the account: Sab En Vadrouille. “I traveled 9,200 km just to take these pictures in Vietnam,” the tourist shared. The place being referred to is the century-old incense village right in Hanoi: Quang Phu Cau Incense Village.
Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, located in the former Ung Thien commune, Ung Hoa district (now part of Ung Hoa District, Hanoi), about 35km from central Hanoi, is one of the capital’s long-standing traditional craft villages, with a history spanning over 100 years. This place not only preserves the traditional craft of incense making but is also an attractive destination for tourists who love to explore spiritual culture and artisanal production.
Unique Experiences at the Traditional Incense Village in Hanoi
The incense production process in Quang Phu Cau began in the hamlets of Phu Luong Thuong, Dao Tu, Cau Bau, and has since spread to many other hamlets. The incense making here uses natural materials such as bamboo and reed, sourced from various provinces like Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.
The incense sticks, after being processed by hand, are dried under the sun to retain their natural aroma without the use of chemicals. This is the biggest difference of Quang Phu Cau incense, a product famous for its durability and mild fragrance.
When visiting, tourists will have the opportunity to learn about the incense-making process directly from local artisans, participate in some stages like whittling bamboo, dyeing the incense base (incense feet), or even splitting the bamboo. One of the main draws for tourists is the expansive drying areas, where bundles of incense are spread out on large mats, creating a stunning visual spectacle that serves as an ideal backdrop for photography enthusiasts.
In addition, visitors can join photography workshops to learn how to capture beautiful moments of the traditional incense-making craft. This is also an excellent opportunity to understand the cultural value of the incense profession and experience the traditional production process directly from seasoned artisans.
How to Get to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village?
To reach Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, visitors can travel by motorbike or car from Hanoi. From the city center, it only takes about 1–1.5 hours via National Highway 21B and Provincial Road 429.
If travelers use public transport, they can take Bus number 91 from Yen Nghia Bus Station to Ung Hoa District, then take a short ride further to the village.
Besides Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, visitors can also combine their trip with other nearby tourist attractions in Ung Hoa or surrounding areas. Examples include Cau Bau Communal House (Đình Cầu Bầu), where traditional festivals take place during the Lunar New Year, or Ba Chua Kho Temple (Đền Bà Chúa Kho) in Bac Ninh—a sacred historical site. Notably, for nature lovers, Ba Vi National Park is only about 20km from Quang Phu Cau, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and enjoying the fresh air.
According to statistics from local tourism units, Quang Phu Cau Incense Village currently attracts about 20,000 visitors annually, of which approximately 70% are international tourists. This highlights the great appeal of the destination to travelers both domestic and foreign, especially photographers and those interested in traditional culture. Quang Phu Cau Incense Village has become a notable highlight on the journey to explore Hanoi’s traditional craft villages.
For those who cherish traditional culture, Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is not merely a place to learn about the craft but also a distinct travel experience. The bundles of incense drying under the sun, the artisans dedicated to their profession—all create a tranquil yet poetic space, offering a feeling of calm and relaxation to every visitor who stops by.