Quang Phu Cau Incense Village: A Unique Check-In Spot on the Outskirts of Hanoi

Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is known for its traditional incense stick-making craft and scenic beauty, attracting numerous visitors and photographers. Hãy nghe Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .

Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, with over 100 years of history, is the only incense stick-making village in Quang Phu Cau Commune, Ung Hoa District, Hanoi. This traditional craft has provided jobs for thousands of local workers and attracts many visitors interested in the cultural values of Vietnam.

                                                                                                      Image source: Collected

Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, also known as Xa Cau Incense Village, is a famous check-in spot on the outskirts of Hanoi, about 35km from the city center. This traditional incense stick-making village has been in existence for more than a century.

You can easily reach Quang Phu Cau Village by motorbike or bus from downtown Hanoi. If you travel by motorbike, follow National Highway 21B and Provincial Road 429. If you prefer to enjoy the scenery by bus, take bus number 91 from Yen Nghia bus station, which will conveniently take you to this beautiful village.

Talking about the long history of the Quang Phu Cau incense stick-making village in Hanoi, this traditional craft has been associated with many generations of Vietnamese people. Time has passed, but luckily, these traditional villages in Hanoi are still maintained by the skilled hands of the artisans. Among them is Quang Phu Cau Village, specializes in making incense sticks.

Despite being over a hundred years old, the Quang Phu Cau incense stick-making village has endured through time and has become one of the most beautiful representations of the culture of Northern Vietnam.

In the past, incense stick-making was mainly seen in Phu Luong Thuong village. Over time, the craft spread to Dao Tu and Cau Bau villages. Consequently, Quang Phu Cau commune has become one of the most prominent incense stick-making villages in the outskirts of Hanoi. When you visit Quang Phu Cau Village, you will easily notice the beautiful and distinct characteristics of an old Northern Vietnam village, combined with modern touches.

As you delve deeper into Quang Phu Cau Village, the bustling and busy atmosphere becomes more evident. Each person is engaged in their task, from splitting bamboo, bundling sticks, and dyeing, to rolling incense, all done with great skill. The sounds of bamboo splitting, bundling, machines cutting, and rolling incense, mixed with the aroma of incense sticks, create the unique charm of this village.

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To create a complete product, each incense stick is made with the utmost care. From trimming the sticks, dyeing the base, rolling the incense, to drying and packaging, every step requires meticulous attention. Depending on the type of incense, the artisans choose suitable materials, often using herbs like agarwood, pine, sandalwood, cinnamon, and various other plants and roots.

Traditionally, while rolling incense, the artisans must roll lightly and firmly to ensure the powder adheres evenly. Nowadays, with modern technology, machinery is used to speed up this process, increasing productivity many times over. The incense sticks must be dried properly in the sun to prevent mold and ensure longevity. With herbal ingredients and a unique mixing formula, Quang Phu Cau incense always retains its long-lasting fragrance and beautiful colors.

In Quang Phu Cau Village, the incense sticks are bundled into large bouquets, with the ends bunched together and the bases spreading out like blooming flowers. The incense sticks here are in yellow and red colors, considered lucky colors in the East, making them very beautiful and eye-catching. Therefore, for many years, this Hanoi incense village has been a popular spot for photographers, both domestic and international, with many award-winning photos taken here.

Due to its beautiful and unique scenery, Quang Phu Cau Incense Village has become a popular traditional craft village in Hanoi, attracting numerous visitors from both inside and outside the country. Here, tourists can stroll through the village, admire the large "incense flowers," and take many beautiful photos.

However, in Quang Phu Cau, incense sticks are dried everywhere. When taking photos with the villagers' incense drying yards, it’s best to ask for permission first and not to enter without consent. Additionally, to support the local people, visitors should consider buying some incense to use or as gifts.

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Today, Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is a familiar destination for Hanoi residents and tourists. Visiting this place, you will have many unique check-in photos as souvenirs. Don’t forget to mark this place as a must-visit spot for your next trip to Hanoi!

Nowadays, Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is one of the long-standing traditional villages in Hanoi, continuing to thrive. It not only preserves the soul of a culturally significant item but also serves as a beautiful tourist destination for anyone visiting the Hanoi area.

Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh)