Thuy Xuan Incense Village

Bundles of incense fanned out in colour · Hà Trần · Pexels License

An incense-making hamlet on the road up to Tu Duc's tomb, recognisable at once by its fanned bundles of dyed sticks.

Thuy Xuan sits on the road from the city up to Tu Duc's tomb and Vong Canh hill, so almost every tour heading for the tombs stops here. Incense has been made in this hamlet for generations, supplying the tombs and pagodas around Hue — places where it burns all year, not only at festivals. The bamboo cores are dyed and then fanned out into bundles to dry in the sun outside each house, and it is that image which turned a working craft hamlet into a photo stop. People still roll incense by hand for visitors to watch, and you can buy the real thing; but it is worth understanding that most of the brightly coloured fans set out along the road now are there to be photographed rather than burnt.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Thuy Xuan Incense Village?

A sunny morning, when the bundles are set out to dry

How much does it cost to visit Thuy Xuan Incense Village?

Free (pay only for incense or photo costume hire)

How long do you need at Thuy Xuan Incense Village?

45 minutes

What are the opening hours of Thuy Xuan Incense Village?

07:00 - 18:00

Did you know

The village is on the road from central Hue to Tu Duc's tomb and Vong Canh hill, about 7 km from the citadel.
Incense has been made here for generations, supplying the tombs and pagodas around Hue.
Dyed bamboo cores are fanned into bundles to dry in the sun outside the houses.
Several households still roll incense by hand on site for visitors to watch.

Travel tips

Combine it with Tu Duc's tomb and Vong Canh hill — all three are on one route.
Ask the price first if you want photos in the borrowed conical hat and ao dai; that is a paid service.

Source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1473275556

Updated: 2026-08-16