Quang Phu Cau - 'Magnet' attracting tourists to the suburban heritage area

Ung Hoa, a region rich in cultural traditions located south of Hanoi, is gradually asserting its position on the tourism map with its untapped potential. Within this vibrant landscape, the Quang Phu Cau incense stick making village stands out as a bright spot, not only preserving traditional crafts but also possessing immense tourism potential, making a significant contribution to the socio -economic development of Ung Hoa district and the capital city.

Tourists check in at the Quang Phu Cau incense stick making village. Photo: VGP

Over a century of incense making, a culmination of culture and tourism.

Located approximately 35km from the center of Hanoi, Quang Phu Cau incense village, in Quang Phu Cau commune, Ung Hoa district, has existed for over a century. It is Hanoi's only specialized incense stick making village, preserving and developing a traditional craft deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture and spirituality. Since the early 20th century, the incense stick making craft has taken root in this area, developing through many generations. Visiting Quang Phu Cau, tourists can immerse themselves in the bustling work environment, witnessing the meticulous incense production process, from shaping the sticks, dyeing the base, rolling the incense, drying, to packaging. Each step reflects the dedication of the craftsmen, creating fragrant incense sticks imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity. Quang Phu Cau village is not only a place of incense production but also a place that preserves and transmits precious intangible cultural values. Tourism development helps preserve and promote these values, preventing their disappearance in the context of modernization. The unique beauty of the brightly colored incense stick drying yards has attracted a large number of tourists, especially photographers and those who love exploring culture. Quang Phu Cau has become an attractive destination, contributing to promoting the tourism image of Ung Hoa and Hanoi on the domestic and international tourism map. In recent years, craft village tourism in Quang Phu Cau has added a unique type of tourism to Hanoi's tourism product system, deeply rooted in local cultural identity, diversifying tourism experiences and attracting a wide range of tourists. Craft village tourism not only brings economic benefits but also contributes to the social development of the locality through improving infrastructure, raising awareness of cultural and environmental preservation, and creating community cohesion. Tourism in craft villages provides direct income for local people through activities such as selling handicrafts, food and beverage services, accommodation, and tour guiding, improving their economic lives and creating many jobs, especially for rural workers.

Hanoi city leaders present the Decision recognizing "Quang Phu Cau incense stick making village as a tourist destination" and the Decision recognizing Trach Xa tailoring village as an intangible cultural heritage. Photo: VGP/Minh Anh

Quang Phu Cau - A Strategic Highlight

Recently, within the framework of the "Ung Hoa - Suburban Heritage Region" program, the important role of craft village tourism in the socio-economic development of the district has been affirmed. The recognition of "Quang Phu Cau Incense Stick Craft Village Tourism Destination" is a significant step forward, affirming the tourism potential and value of the craft village, creating momentum to promote local economic development. The "Quang Phu Cau - Life and Colors" tourism program has created a unique and attractive tourism product, contributing to promoting the image of Ung Hoa and Hanoi tourism. The development of tourism in Ung Hoa in general and Quang Phu Cau in particular not only benefits the locality but also contributes to the overall development of the capital's tourism industry, creating a diverse, rich, and attractive image of Hanoi tourism.

Michael, a tourist from Ireland, said: "I greatly admire the dedication of the artisans in preserving this traditional craft, a part of the community's culture that has existed for over a century." Photo: VGP/Minh Anh

Michael, a tourist from Ireland, shared his experience at Quang Phu Cau incense village: "My girlfriend saw videos of incense gardens on Instagram and wanted to come here. I just searched 'incense gardens' on Google and we found this place. Visiting Quang Phu Cau incense village was a wonderful experience. The sight of bundles of bright red incense drying in the sun was impressive." Michael added: "I really admire the dedication of the artisans in preserving this traditional craft, a part of the community's culture that has existed for over a century. I think it would be even better if the area were expanded, as we had to find angles to create the feeling of being in a real incense field, and sometimes even avoid the road in the frame. However, overall, it was a worthwhile experience."

Chairman of Quang Phu Cau Commune People's Committee, Nguyen Huu Nhat: "We expect tourism to make a positive contribution to the commune's economic growth, create jobs, and increase income for the people." Photo: VGP

Speaking with a reporter from the Government Online Newspaper, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Phu Cau commune, Nguyen Huu Nhat, expressed his honor and pride that the locality has been recognized by the City People's Committee as a handicraft village tourism destination. "We are extremely honored and proud that Quang Phu Cau has been recognized as a handicraft village tourism destination. This is a great opportunity for our commune to develop. We expect tourism to contribute positively to the commune's economic growth, create jobs, and increase income for the people," Mr. Nguyen Huu Nhat shared. Mr. Nguyen Huu Nhat also stated that the locality is aware of the challenges ahead, such as limited experience in tourism management and a lack of properly trained personnel, which are issues that need to be addressed. He also requested the City and district to invest in upgrading infrastructure to create the best possible conditions for tourists. According to the Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, Dang Huong Giang, the "Ung Hoa - Suburban Heritage Region" program was recently organized to promote tourist destinations and unique tourism products associated with cultural values, heritage, relics, and traditional craft villages in Ung Hoa district in particular and Hanoi city in general. At the same time, the program helps improve the quality of destinations, develop tourism products linked to historical and cultural values ​​and heritage, develop new tourist routes, build and develop the Quang Phu Cau incense stick craft village tourism product, and gradually affirm Ung Hoa's position as a tourist destination in the southern part of the city. According to Director Dang Huong Giang, in 2025, the tourism industry will focus on completing and exploiting the advantages from the Capital City planning, exploiting and promoting the value of the Capital City Law with outstanding opportunities for development. At the same time, Hanoi's tourism industry will also develop policies to submit to the City People's Committee for promulgation and approval by the City People's Council to support tourism destinations in localities to implement tourism development activities. The Quang Phu Cau incense stick making village tourist destination has rich cultural tourism resources, with 6 villages recognized as traditional craft villages by the People's Committee of the former Ha Tay province, including: Phu Luong Thuong and Phu Luong Ha traditional incense stick splitting villages; Xa Cau traditional black incense production village; Dao Tu village traditional incense stick splitting village; Cau Bau village traditional incense stick splitting village; and Quang Nguyen village traditional incense stick splitting village. The Quang Phu Cau incense stick making village tourist destination is a land rich in historical and cultural traditions, with 22 historical relics, of which 8 have been classified (4 national-level relics, 4 city-level relics). In addition to visiting the craft village, tourists can also visit national-level historical and cultural relics such as: Phu Luong Temple; Bau Boi Pagoda; Quang Nguyen Temple; Quang Nguyen Pagoda, a national-level historical, architectural and artistic relic… Source: https://thanglong.chinhphu.vn/quang-phu-cau-nam-cham-hut-khach-du-lich-mien-di-san-ngoai-do-103250101211615322.htm