Travel experience at Quang Phu Cau incense village, the "hunt" for beautiful pictures

If you are looking for a place to immerse yourself in the simple yet captivating beauty of the Vietnamese countryside, incense village Quang Phu Cau is the perfect choice. This incense village is not only a place to preserve the long-standing incense making profession but also a great space for you to capture photos. Let's explore the unique cultural experiences that await you at Quang Phu Cau in the article below!

1. Where is Quang Phu Cau incense village?

Quang Phu Cau incense village is located at road 429, Cau Bau, Quang Phu Cau commune, Ung Hoa district, about 35km from the center of Hanoi. This is an old village, famous for its incense production, attracting not only domestic but also international tourists come to visit, take photos, explore cultural beauty and learn about the spiritual life of Vietnamese people.

Directions: Here.

Location of Quang Phu Cau incense village on Google Maps

Quang Phu Cau is famous for its colorful "incense flowers" (Source: Internet)

Means of transportation to Quang Phu Cau incense village:

• Motorbike: This is the most popular and flexible means of transport to the incense village. It only takes about 45 - 60 minutes from Hanoi along Highway 21B, you will have the opportunity to see the green fields and fresh air of the suburbs of Hanoi.
• Bus: You can take bus number 91 at Yen Nghia bus station, then walk about 10 minutes to get to the incense village. This is an economical means of transport with a cost of only about 10,000 VND/trip.
• Taxi: This is an ideal choice if you want to save time and have a comfortable trip, not affected by the weather. The price ranges from 300,000 to 500,000 VND for the whole trip, depending on the starting location you choose.

To get to Quang Phu Cau incense village, visitors can choose bus route 91 (Source: Internet)

2. The hundred-year story of the famous incense village

Quang Phu Cau incense village has existed for more than a century. Initially, villagers only produced incense for the living needs of families and localities. Over time, thanks to the skillful hands and creativity of artisans, this traditional craft has continuously developed, bringing products to many provinces and international markets.

Besides its economic value, the incense making profession in Quang Phu Cau is also closely associated with the cultural and spiritual values of the Vietnamese people. Incense is present in all Vietnamese festivals and worshiping occasions, symbolizing the connection between the past and the present, between generations in the family and the community.

Nowadays, despite the development of technology and industrial products, people here still stick with their profession, creating incense sticks from bamboo, herbal powder and natural colorants – not only fragrant but also safe for health. In particular, many elderly artisans are still diligently passing on their skills to the younger generation while the local government promotes the combination of craft village development with tourism to preserve and spread this traditional cultural beauty.

Incense is an indispensable part of rituals, showing the Vietnamese people's respect for their ancestors and superiors (Source: Internet)

3. Ticket price to visit Quang Phu Cau incense village

When visiting Quang Phu Cau incense village, visitors will not have to pay entrance fees in public areas. However, if you want to take photos or visit inside the incense factory, some households may charge a photography fee ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 VND.

4. What is the best time to visit the incense village?

Depending on the time, Quang Phu Cau incense village has its own unique beauty:

1 - Time of year

• Before Lunar New Year (November - December of the Lunar Calendar): This is the time when the incense village enters its peak production season to serve the increasing demand for incense of the people. You will admire the brilliant scene of bundles of incense being dyed and dried everywhere, along with the bustling working atmosphere of the people.
• Full moon days, new moon days or festival season: If you want to learn about the role of incense in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people, you can visit the incense village in those occasions with many festivals and worships such as full moon days, new moon days, etc..

Note: Tourists should visit during dry seasons like summer in Hanoi (May - August) for convenience in moving and taking photos at the incense village.

Visit the incense village on sunny days for convenient sightseeing and check-in (Source: Internet)

2 - Time of day

If you want to enjoy the fresh air and explore the beauty of the incense village from different perspectives, here are some Ideal time to visit:

• Early morning (07:00 - 09:00): This is the time of soft light, fresh air and peace.
• Late Afternoon (3:00 - 5:00): When the sun is no longer too harsh, the sunset rays shine down, highlighting the red color of the incense bundles.

Visitors should take photos early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the sunlight is gentle, to get the most satisfactory photos (Source: Internet)

5. 3 interesting experiences at Quang Phu Cau incense village

Coming to Quang Phu Cau incense village, visitors not only admire the brilliant beauty of colorful incense bundles but also have the opportunity to participate in many interesting activities imbued with traditional culture.

5.1. Admire & Check-in with the colorful "fragrance flowers"

If you are a lover of colorful spaces and want to capture beautiful moments during your trip, Quang Phu Cau incense village will definitely be the place for you. The dyed incense bundles are arranged in a circle like blooming flowers, brilliant in red, pink, and yellow, v.v. covering the walkways and yards, creating a unique and rare scene.

Notes when taking photos:

• Respect people's working space and avoid disrupting the production process.
• Avoid jostling or moving the incense bundles arbitrarily.create photo backgroundphoto
• If you want to take pictures with people, please politely ask for permission before taking pictures.

Lost in the colorful world at Quang Phu Cau incense village (Source: Internet)

Each bundle of incense is a flower blooming in the peaceful countryside (Source: Internet)

Close-up of bright red incense bundles arranged in a shapeflower (Source: Internet)

Young people wearing traditional costumes check-in with bundles of incense arranged in the shape of the national flag and map of Vietnam (Source: Internet)

JustJust pose gently and you will have beautiful photos (Source: Internet)

5.2. Show off your photography skills - capture the moments

Not only is it an ideal check-in spot for young people, Quang Phu Cau incense village is also one of the most sought-after locations by professional photographers at home and abroad.

Proof is that many photographers have made their mark here with international awards:

• Azim Khan Ronnie with the work “Drying Incense” Won Gold at the 2023 Color Photography Contest.
• Many times Quang Phu Cau was chosen as a creative material for press and art photos. Photographer Tran Tuan Viet - “Making Incense” won first prize in the Smithsonian Annual Photo Contest.
• Nong Thanh Toan with the work taken at Quang Phu Cau incense village published in National Geographic Magazine.

The photo of a woman sitting among red incense sticks by Azim Khan Ronnie won the Gold Prize in the color photography contest (Source: Internet)

The beauty of labor in Quang Phu Cau incense village through the lens of photographer Tran Tuan Viet (Source: Internet)

Note:

• Suggest corner:

• Top-down angle, showing the whole scene of the bouquets of incense in brilliant red, yellow, and pink colors.,...are exposed throughout the yards and walkways, shining brightly in the sun.
• Horizontal camera angle, recording the hard working scene of the villagers.
• Place important elements of the photo such as the perfume maker, product, or featured scene at the intersections of the thirds grid to create balance (Rule of Thirds).
• Don’t just focus on the product, but also include the entire incense village space. You can use background areas (like trees, village roads, or incense drying outdoors) to enrich the photo.

• Natural light:Take advantage of natural light during the best times of day (early morning and late afternoon). During these hours, the light is soft, not too harsh, creating a warm and pleasant feeling.
• Equipment: You can bring a wide-angle lens or a flycam to take panoramic shots. If you use a phone, you should take advantage of the manual mode to better control brightness and color.

Brilliant red, pink, and yellow "flowers" spread across the yard (Source: Internet)

5.3. Learn about the production process & Experience making incense

If you come to Quang Phu Cau incense village, don't just stop at taking pictures. Try to "play the role" of a real craftsman and directly experience the process of making traditional incense sticks.– a long-standing cultural feature of the North. Here, visitors can witness the entire process of handmade incense production, from selecting raw materials, rolling the incense body and dyeing the incense base to the stagerollhand-scented and dried incense.

Note:

• It is advisable to ask in advance and obtain permission if you wish to participate in the incense making process.
• You should wear dark, neat clothes because incense powder easily attracts dust and stains.

Rating from Tourist:

Coming to Quang Phu Cau, you can completely make a bundle of incense by yourself, dye it or try drying it in the sun (Source: Internet)

6. Experience of visiting Quang Phu Cau incense village

To have an enjoyable and fulfilling trip to Quang Phu Cau incense village, visitors should note the following points:

• Choose the right outfit: Wear simple clothes or clothes that contrast with the bright red, yellow, and pink of the incense to create a beautiful visual effect when taking photos.
• Comply with local regulations: When taking photos, avoid stepping on the drying incense bundles and always follow the instructions of the local people to protect the product and respect their labor.
• Behave gently and politely: Most of the artisans in the incense village are elderly people with many years of experience. Please communicate politely and respectfully with the artisans when visiting.
• Respect local culture: Quang Phu Cau incense village is not only a production site but also a traditional cultural space that needs to be preserved and respected.
• Prepare necessary items: If you visit the incense village during the hot season, bring a hat, umbrella, sunscreen, a hand fan and drinking water to protect your health and maintain energy throughout the trip.

Visitors should wear clothes with minimalist colors to stand out among the colorful bouquets of incense (Source: Internet)

7. Some other tourist attractions near Quang Phu Cau

If you have time and want to explore more interesting places with traditional culture, here are some suggestions:

• Perfume Pagoda: Located in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi, about 20km from Quang Phu Cau. This is a famous pagoda complex with majestic natural scenery and the annual Huong Pagoda festival that attracts a large number of tourists.
• Van Phuc Silk Village: Located in Van Phuc Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi, about 25km from Quang Phu Cau. This traditional craft village is famous for its high-quality silk products and exquisite handicrafts.
• Bat Trang pottery village: Located in Gia Lam district, Hanoi, about 30km from Quang Phu Cau. This is an old ceramic village with a variety of products, visitors can experience making ceramics themselves.
• Hanoi Old Quarter: Located in Hoan Kiem district, the center of Hanoi, about 35km from Quang Phu Cau. The area of 36 streets is famous for its traditional architecture and culture, and is a destination not to be missed when exploring Hanoi.

Quang Phu Cau Incense village is a unique cultural space where you can immerse yourself in the life of the Northern countryside. Visit this location to admire the beauty of the brilliant "fragrance flowers" and explore more deeply the lives of the simple villagers who are preserving the traditional beauty every day.

If you are planning to visit Quang Phu Cau incense village from other provinces, choose Vietnam Airlines - the national airline with a nationwide flight network, flexible schedules and 4-star international standard service quality. Book your tickets today to enjoy a smooth flight, start the journey to discover the traditional cultural values of Vietnam in the most complete way!