Most travellers come to Hanoi with their eyes on the big-ticket adventures in the north. There's the Old Quarter, the lakes, the smoky bia hoi joints with late-morning
noodle queues. But an hour's trip to the village of Quang Phu Cau takes you to a more colourful (and Instagrammable) corner of this country. Here the landscape begins to look like a watercolour wash of rice paddies and narrow village lanes, with people sitting and doing what they've done for more than a century: make incense by hand. You arrive expecting a quick look and end up staying for hours, watching people dye bamboo stems in vats of crimson and arrange thousands of sticks in perfect sunburst formations. The images speak for themselves.
How To Visit Quang Phu Cau And What To See
Incense making in Quang Phu Cau began long before tourism arrived. Families here have passed down the skill like a family heirloom. Each household focuses on a specific step: splitting bamboo, rolling the aromatic core, dyeing the stems, drying the bundles in the sun. You'll see images of the village’s red-dyed incense sticks dried out like flowers on social media. There are more colours too, if you walk around.Photography is welcomed, though some families charge a small fee. It’s worth it, you’re stepping onto private property, and these yards double as workspaces.
For photography, the dry months from May to August are ideal. The sun is harsh but perfect for those saturated hues. However, the production is at its peak in the months of December and January, so you can plan a winter getaway too.
Some workshops let visitors roll incense sticks or dip the bases into vats of dye. You can, often for a small amount, partake in the activity, which makes for a very memorable experience. The scented powder clings to everything, so wear dark clothes and ask politely before joining in.
How To Reach Quang Phu Cau
By motorbike: It’s the most common option. The 45–60 minute ride takes you past Hanoi’s quieter outskirts and into proper countryside.By bus: Bus from Yen Nghia drops you within a 10-minute walk.
By taxi/Grab: Easiest and fastest, especially in hot weather. Most rides cost between 300,000 and 500,000 VND depending on where you start in Hanoi.
