The new appeal of Huong Pagoda tourism

With significant changes in site beautification and the removal of encroaching stalls, tourism at Huong Pagoda in 2026 promises to have a new look.

This transformation stems not only from the determination of the government but also from the collective efforts of the people of Huong Son, aiming to make the historical site complex a year-round tourist attraction in the capital.

Tourists can experience and visit Huong Pagoda along the Thanh Son - Huong Dai route.

Innovations for the Huong Pagoda Festival 2026

The Huong Son historical and scenic complex, commonly known as Huong Pagoda, located in Huong Son commune, Hanoi city, is considered one of the most outstanding scenic spots in Vietnam. It boasts a majestic mountain range, the Huong Son forest with its three layers of vegetation, and the clear, winding Yen stream, leading visitors into a sacred realm.

From the very beginning of 2026, many visitors clearly felt the changes at Huong Pagoda. The landscape has been neatly and beautifully renovated. Along the route from the Yen Stream ferry terminal to Thien Tru Pagoda and Huong Tich Cave, many stalls have been removed, restoring a spacious area for the natural scenery. These open spaces allow visitors to easily admire the view, take photos, and enjoy the pristine beauty of the mountainous region. At the entrance to Thien Tru Pagoda, workers are busy cleaning, repaving the ground, and planting more trees and flowerbeds. These renovations not only make the space more tidy but also create an aesthetic and friendly atmosphere for visitors.

According to Tran Duc Hai, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Huong Son commune, after implementing the two-tiered local government model, the commune identified the reorganization of the cultural and tourism space of Huong Pagoda as a key task. The goal is to restore the appearance of the scenic spot once known as "the most beautiful place in Southern Vietnam." One of the first steps is to review and reorganize 135 stalls and shops. Those encroaching on public space or operating illegally will be demolished; areas designated for services will be rebuilt uniformly to new standards. Roads leading to the pagoda will be widened, green spaces increased, and the landscape improved. In particular, the path to Huong Tich Cave, previously obscured by stalls, is now clear, clean, and beautiful.

“This change was achieved thanks to the consensus of the people. When they understood the long-term benefits of reorganizing the space, they were willing to work together. I believe that, with the involvement of both the government and the people, tourism at Huong Pagoda will offer many new experiences in the future. This is also an important highlight of the Huong Pagoda Festival 2026,” Mr. Tran Duc Hai emphasized.

According to the People's Committee of Huong Son commune, the Huong Pagoda Festival 2026 will take place from February 18th to May 11th, 2026 (corresponding to the 2nd day of the 1st lunar month to the 25th day of the 3rd lunar month of the Year of the Horse). The opening ceremony will be held on February 22nd, 2026 (the 6th day of the 1st lunar month). The festival will continue to be organized in the spirit of preserving and promoting the unique historical, cultural, and religious values ​​of the Huong Son complex.

According to Mr. Vuong Trong Dao, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Huong Son commune, in addition to beautifying the space, the locality continues to promote the application of digital technology in the management and operation of the festival. Visitors will use electronic tickets and electric vehicles to move around the historical site. "This year's festival will limit ostentatious and commercialized activities, gradually bringing the festival back to its core values, while improving the quality of the visitor experience," Mr. Vuong Trong Dao said.

Towards a four-season destination

Each year, the Huong Son tourist complex welcomes approximately 1 million visitors. Following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of visitors has decreased, posing a challenge for recovery for the local government and people.

Currently, the historical site has four main tourist routes. In addition to the traditional Thien Tru - Huong Tich route, there are also the Thanh Son - Huong Dai route, the Long Van route, and the Tuyet Son route. However, in reality, most tourists still concentrate on the main route for Buddhist worship and sightseeing, while the other routes within the historical site complex have not been effectively exploited.

According to Bui Van Trieu, Director of the Huong Son Relic and Scenic Area Management Board, each route offers unique experiences. The Thanh Son - Huong Dai route allows visitors to take boat trips on the Yen stream, visit Thanh Son Pagoda, and admire the picturesque river scenery. This route is especially beautiful in autumn, when water lilies are in full bloom. The Long Van route is suitable for tourists who enjoy trekking, exploring nature, and visiting ancient relics such as the Cave of Ancient People and Cay Khe Pagoda. Along the way, visitors can immerse themselves in the Huong Son forest ecosystem with many rare ancient trees. The Tuyet Son route stands out with its characteristic apricot forest, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

Currently, the People's Committee of Huong Son commune is promoting the comprehensive development of all four routes, aiming to make Huong Pagoda a year-round destination. According to Truong Quoc Hung, Chairman of the UNESCO Hanoi Travel Club, Huong Son has much potential for developing various types of tourism such as spiritual tourism, trekking, meditation and healing tours, and team building. To attract tourists, the locality needs to strengthen links with travel businesses and build products suitable for each customer segment. Meanwhile, Doan Ngoc Tung, Director of MTV Travel, suggested that Huong Son needs to significantly innovate its promotional efforts, proactively developing a communication plan from the beginning of the year to connect with travel agencies and the tourism community.

Recognizing the great potential of Huong Pagoda in positioning the tourism brand of Hanoi, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism Tran Trung Hieu said that in the coming time, the Department will implement many large-scale promotional programs, with Huong Pagoda as a priority destination to enhance its position in the overall picture of Hanoi tourism.

According to Baotuyenquang.com.vn

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/suc-hap-dan-moi-cua-du-lich-chua-huong-a474121.html