Buddhism is the main religion in Vietnam. Therefore, visitors can
easily find out a numerous number of pagodas and shrines dedicated to Buddhism
in the country. However, different from Thailand
where Buddhism is also the principal religion, the architectures of pagodas in Vietnam are
totally different. While in Thailand,
people will see many pagodas like the Golden
Temple, in Vietnam people must see the Huong
Pagoda, the most outstanding symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism architectures.
| The Yen river on the way to the Huong Pagoda complex |
Just a 30-minue drive from Hanoi,
Huong Pagoda is the holiest site in Vietnam. Huong Pagoda is actually a
great complex of numerous Buddhism temples on a mountain called Huong or
Perfume near to the Yen
River. It is said that
the first temple in Huong Pagoda was constructed nearly 600 years ago on the
top of the mountain. The temples used to be the chief religious sites of
Northern Vietnamese monks.
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| The main holy site of Huong Pagoda in the Huong Cave |
Annually, the Huong Festival is held and it lasts from the
middle of January to the middle of March. The festival is the longest one in Vietnam and
attracts the biggest number of pilgrims across the country. The scene in the
Huong Pagoda is like a peaceful heaven for visitors to explore. On the route to
the Huong Mountain
where the temples are placed, people have to take a trip along the beautiful
and tranquil Yen River. The green water of the Yen River
is so clear. Travelers will have a chance to sit on the small boat getting
alongside the river and contemplate the harmonization between the river and
mountain. In order to reach the temples on the Huong mountain, visitors
nowadays can have two options of hiking or chairlift. Most of the Vietnamese
travelers will choose the first option of climbing up to the temples. It is
because of the fact that the Buddhism teaches people to experience the hardship
and then the accomplishment will be fully and happily enjoyed. The trip from
the foot to the top of the mountain is about 4 kilometers. Huong Tich cave on
the mountain is where the main temple is placed. Around this main holy site are
numerous temples and shrines for visitors to explore their unique architectures
and shapes.
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| One of the temples in the Huong Pagoda complex |
The trip to the Huong pagoda to Vietnamese people is not
just a traveling, but it also a real hardship to challenge people. The beauties
of the river, mountain and sceneries in addition to the tranquility and peace
of the holy site will certainly make every feel perfectly great.
Take a look at Vietnam holidays for more info.
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