Back to the cradle at Huong Pagoda

Huong, or Huong Tich, Pagoda in Ha Tay district, about 60 kilometers from Hanoi, is inherently well-known for its admirable landscapes studded with ancient elegant-architecture temples, pagodas and mysterious grottoes along with famous festivities, especially the Huong Pagoda Festival.
However, few travelers are aware of an old pagoda with the same name nestled hundreds of meters away which is considered the cradle of the current Huong Pagoda Festival.
Located in the Hong Linh Mountain Range in Ha Tinh province, Huong Tich Pagoda has been dated back to the thirteenth century by some experts due to its architecture and artifacts, but that is just a theory. The pagoda’s surroundings and its legends capture many similarities with Huong Pagoda in Ha Tay.
One legend says that during the reign of King Trinh in the seventeenth century, the king had a lot of wives from the Hong Linh area. Every year, when the spring comes, the ladies had to leave the king to join the Huong Tich Festival in their countryside. It took them from two to three months as it is about 400 kilometers from Hanoi to Hong Linh. To keep the wives nearby, the king decided to host the festival at Huong Pagoda in Ha Tay.
Built on a peak of a mountain of the Hong Linh Range, the pagoda is endowed not only with elegant architecture, elaborate decorations and adroit design, but also with tranquility and splendid landscapes.
It is not too difficult to get to the pagoda. From Hanoi, tourists can catch a bus or passenger train heading to Vinh in Nghe An province. From here, tourists continue south on National Highway 1A for 15 kilometers. There will be a sign welcoming you to the foot of the magnificent mountain.
After buying the VND10,000 entrance ticket, tourists can trek to the mountain or take a two kilometer cruise on Nha Duong Lake to get to the three kilometer winding trail that leads to the pagoda. Romance, quiet and dreamlike surroundings of the lake will give you strength to conquer the mountain.
The way is steep but stone steps are waiting for your feet. Poetic scenery on the roadsides promises you an unforgettable impression.
Why not take time to enjoy the natural beauty, discover the ancient architecture and recall the history?