Huong Pagoda from Hanoi: Cable Car or Walking?
On August 31, 2026, I traveled from Hanoi to Huong Pagoda by motorbike. I was visiting outside the main festival season, so the area did not feel particularly crowded.
My journey included a boat ride along Yen Stream, a stop at Den Trinh, a visit to Thien Tru Pagoda, lunch at a local restaurant, and a trip to Huong Tich Cave.
But the most interesting part was trying both ways to reach the cave: cable car and walking.
From Hanoi to Huong Pagoda by Boat
After parking my motorbike, I went to Yen Wharf to buy my boat ticket.
The boat ride along Yen Stream was one of my favorite parts of the journey. Along the way, I saw houses, vegetation and limestone mountains. There were also local long boats, some with engines.
Boats generally carry several passengers, so solo travelers may share with other visitors. A private boat requires an additional fee.
I saw both Vietnamese and international tourists making the journey.
Den Trinh and Thien Tru Pagoda
Den Trinh was my first stop after leaving the boat station. I saw many visitors stopping to burn incense and filmed the area.
From there, I continued toward Thien Tru Pagoda. After getting off the boat, I walked up a steep route with many steps. The pagoda itself is large and impressive in scale.
Before exploring the pagoda, I had lunch at Mai Lam Restaurant nearby.
I asked about the available food and price. My meal cost 70,000 VND and included stir-fried beef, braised pork, sweet leaf soup, white rice and stir-fried tofu.
Huong Tich Cave: Cable Car or Walking?
This was the part of the trip I found most useful because I tried both options.
Cable Car
I took the cable car round trip. Each journey took approximately 5 minutes based on my experience.
It was fast and offered views of the landscape from above. I also noticed that most visitors appeared to choose this option.
Walking
On another trip, I walked the route round trip.
It took approximately 45 minutes each way.
Far fewer visitors seemed to choose the walking route. During the walk, local people invited me to sit and rest without charging me. The main inconvenience was mosquitoes.
Which Should You Choose?
After trying both, my view is simple:
Choose the cable car if you have limited time or want convenience.
Choose walking if you have more time and want to experience the mountain route at a slower pace.
The difference is significant: around 5 minutes by cable car versus 45 minutes on foot each way.
Inside Huong Tich Cave
After entering Huong Tich Cave, I walked down into a deep, humid environment. The steps can be slippery, and I saw stalactites and stone columns inside.
The change from the open mountain landscape to the darker, humid cave was one of the memorable parts of my visit.
Staying Connected in Vietnam
For international travelers, mobile data can be useful during a day trip from Hanoi for navigation, translation, transportation apps and communication.
A Vietnam eSIM can be a convenient option if you want mobile Internet without looking for a physical SIM card after arrival.
My Final Take
I found my trip to Huong Pagoda excellent.
What made it memorable was the journey itself: the boat ride, Den Trinh, Thien Tru Pagoda and, especially, experiencing both the cable car and walking route to Huong Tich Cave.
If I had limited time, I would take the cable car. If I wanted to slow down and experience more of the journey, I would walk.