During your trip to Hue, beyond exploring historical and cultural heritage sites, be sure to visit Thuy Xuan Incense Village. This is where you can learn about the traditional incense-making process, experience each meticulous step firsthand, and take photos in a vibrant, colorful setting.
1. Where is Thuy Xuan Incense Village?
Thuy Xuan Incense Village is one of Hue’s most popular cultural destinations, frequently visited by tourists. It is located on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, near Vong Canh Hill and Tu Duc Tomb, about 7 km southwest of Hue city center.
2. Thuy Xuan Village – A Centuries-Old Incense Craft Village in Hue
According to artisans in Thuy Xuan, the incense-making craft has existed here for around 700 years, dating back to the Nguyen Dynasty. In the past, the village supplied incense to the royal court, mandarins, and local residents of the Thuận Hóa and Phú Xuân regions.
Despite the passage of time and historical upheavals, the incense-making tradition in Hue has been preserved and passed down through generations. Each generation continues to handcraft aromatic incense sticks, serving both the spiritual needs of locals and visitors from afar.
3. What Makes Thuy Xuan Incense Special?
Thuy Xuan’s incense has endured for centuries thanks to its refined, meticulous craftsmanship. The incense is chemical-free, with a gentle, elegant fragrance. Every stick undergoes a detailed preparation process to retain the pure, natural scent of agarwood.
First, artisans select high-quality agarwood, then blend it with ingredients like cinnamon bark, star anise, cloves, cardamom, and pine buds in precise proportions. Additional ingredients such as wild pomelo rind powder, dried pomelo flowers, eucalyptus, and cinnamon are included to perfect the aroma.
Vietnamese people believe that incense should burn evenly and completely. To ensure this, Thuy Xuan villagers use thinly split, sun-dried bamboo as the incense core. This method ensures that the incense burns all the way to the base without breaking or extinguishing midway.
The incense sticks themselves are made from aged bamboo harvested from the Binh Dien, Phong Son, or Nam Dong forests. Shaping the bamboo into incense sticks requires skilled and decisive hands, as the sticks must be crafted in various sizes according to specific needs.
Best times to visit Thuy Xuan Incense Village
Visit the enchanting Thuy Xuan Village in its dry season, from March to August, when the hot climate is ideal for artisans to sun-dry the hand-rolled incense sticks. The experience turns the village into a magic show, where thousands of incense sticks lined up in hues of red, yellow, purple, and green create a wonderful and colorful view.
Frequently asked questions about Thuy Xuan Incense Village
Just as usual, don’t forget to go through all FAQs to gain some hands-on useful insights for your upcoming trip.
Is there an entrance fee to the village?
There is no entrance fee to visit Thuy Xuan Incense Village, though some of the artisans may offer tours or demonstrations for a small donation or charge. Purchase of incense or other trinkets as a gesture of gratitude to the local artisans is common practice.
Can I purchase incense directly from the artisans?
Yes, incense and other craft products can be bought from the artisans themselves at Thuy Xuan Incense Village Hue. This is an opportunity to support the local economy and take home authentic souvenirs. Bargaining is normally acceptable but should be done in respect of the artisans’ work and prices.
What should I bring or wear when visiting the village?
It is recommended that you wear comfortable attire and footwear as you will be walking around the village. It is also recommended that you carry a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, especially during the dry season. A water bottle is also required to keep you hydrated. If you plan on taking photographs, ensure that you have your camera or phone with you. You need to carry cash as most artisans may not take credit cards. Respectful attire is always appreciated, especially when visiting religious sites or interacting with the locals.
