Beginning of the Lunar new year is the time most of Vietnamese people go pilgrimage to pagodas and temples in north of vietnam there are 2 famous temple Perfume pagoda and Yen Tu pagoda

Perfume pagoda is away from Hanoi about 65 km where you can easily access by car or motorbike take around 2 hours. Upon arrival you will take an hour boat trip on Yen river is very beautiful scenery and peaceful as the river running in middle of mountains and farm, do not forget your camera...

 

On arrival should remember the place where your captain drop you off where you must return to catch the same boat back to mainland. At this place you walk up to Tru pagoda about 15m, we call this pagoda is Heaven Kitchen from here at your choice to go on foot about 1hrs to Huong pagoda or take a cable car 15m to get there. Of course there is a spectacular view from top of mountain and a nice hidden cave pagoda where thousands Vietnamese and foreigners visit every year.

If you have more time and want to discover further of this area you can spend 2 or 3 days boat ride and climb to many different pagodas among of the mountainous, accommodation is very basic like share mattes or small room for rent.

Sightseeing ticket 50.000pp
Boat ticket 40.000pp
If you do not want to share boat can pay about 400.000 for charter

Eating here quite simple condition and variety choice of food and restaurants, make sure you have menu with price indicated, i often eat at Tu Han res before boat trip or Mai lam restaurant near Thien Tru pagoda. Not suggest to eat or buy any thing on top of mountain due it extremely over cost. 

Yen Tu pagoda dated back 13 century about 110km away from Hanoi take about 2:30hrs to get there by car,  should not travel by motorbike due the traffic is bad. The trip specially for someone go pilgrimage and walking, hiking, you should start up at Thien Vien Truc Lam for the peaceful mind and learn some history about itself as well as Yen Tu pagoda. Continue your trip to foot of Yen Tu mountain from here you can walk up hill about 2hrs or take cable car about 15m to Hoa Hien pagoda is call Dragon head good view from here

 

Continue your trip to Dong pagoda on tip top of Yen Tu which will take you about 3hrs walking or 20m cable car + 30m walk. Visiting the great buddle status and Bronze Dong pagoda located on top. You will have a very good view towards far ground and surround temples absolutely a challenge walking way to pilgrimage. 

Sightseeing tickets free
Cable car round trips for 2 main pagodas 280.000pp

There are some local restaurants and snacks here with all listed prices