Your bag
Bag whispers: "Fill me!"
Order Total
$0 USD
Checkout
Guests laughing and posing with raised hands during a Hanoi cultural workshop, seated at a table with greenery
Smelling rare agarwood during a Hanoi hands-on tour, a guest holds fragrant pieces close near a wooden worktable with Up Travel Vietnam
Hands pouring dark tea from a small pot into cups on a wooden table in Hanoi during a rare agarwood tour
Hanoi workshop scene: a guide tends to a participant’s leg while preparing rare agarwood pieces, with other guests watching closely
Two guests seated in a Hanoi agarwood workshop, smiling beside carved agarwood pieces on a wooden table
Group gathered around a wooden counter with small tea cups during a rare agarwood tour in Hanoi, learning together
1 / 69
Guests laughing and posing with raised hands during a Hanoi cultural workshop, seated at a table with greenery
Smelling rare agarwood during a Hanoi hands-on tour, a guest holds fragrant pieces close near a wooden worktable with Up Travel Vietnam
Hands pouring dark tea from a small pot into cups on a wooden table in Hanoi during a rare agarwood tour
Guests laughing and posing with raised hands during a Hanoi cultural workshop, seated at a table with greenery
Smelling rare agarwood during a Hanoi hands-on tour, a guest holds fragrant pieces close near a wooden worktable with Up Travel Vietnam
Hands pouring dark tea from a small pot into cups on a wooden table in Hanoi during a rare agarwood tour
Hanoi workshop scene: a guide tends to a participant’s leg while preparing rare agarwood pieces, with other guests watching closely
Two guests seated in a Hanoi agarwood workshop, smiling beside carved agarwood pieces on a wooden table
Group gathered around a wooden counter with small tea cups during a rare agarwood tour in Hanoi, learning together
A guide pours dark tea from a small pot for a group during a rare agarwood tour in Hanoi, seated at wooden tables
Man bringing a small cup close to his nose while guests watch during a rare agarwood tour tasting in Hanoi
Smiling travellers holding warm cups together during a rare agarwood tour in Hanoi, sharing a relaxing tasting moment
Small group listening at a Hanoi scent workshop counter, with bottles and tools behind them, learning about agarwood
Smiling guests gathered around a tabletop during a Hanoi agarwood tour, with small cups and tools for tasting scent notes
Hands carving and preparing agarwood on a mat in a Hanoi workshop, with small wood pieces laid out nearby
Hand pouring amber tea into cups during a rare agarwood tour in Hanoi, with a wooden table and tasting session atmosphere
Agarwood workshop display in a Hanoi shop, with two people seated beside carved wood pieces and tools for scent preparation
Travellers seated in a Hanoi workshop tasting room during a rare agarwood tour, with cups and snacks on the table
Hand pouring tea or coffee into small cups at a Hanoi tasting table, with a mug of caramel-coloured drink and beans
Hand holding a rough, aromatic chunk of agarwood in a Hanoi workshop during a rare agarwood tour session
Close-up of hands pouring hot liquid into a paper coffee dripper at a Hanoi café workshop table, with cups nearby
In a Hanoi coffee workshop, a young server pours from a kettle into a cup, with cups and bottles arranged on the counter
Close-up of a white plate of brown agarwood pieces on a wooden table in a Hanoi tasting room during the tour
Group gathered at a wooden counter in a Hanoi workshop during a rare agarwood tour, where staff pour samples into cups
Rare agarwood tour in Hanoi: hands holding a glass bowl of agarwood samples and labelled dried pieces
Rare agarwood tour in Hanoi: hands presenting an agarwood beaded bracelet inside a clear display box
Wooden shelves in a Hanoi agarwood shop display carved figurines, bottles and curiosities for the rare agarwood tour experience
Two workshop guides smiling while holding small agarwood samples over a counter with display shelves in Hanoi’s rare tour
Visitors chatting with a local guide in an agarwood shop and gallery during a Rare Agarwood Tour in Hanoi
Carved agarwood detail resting in a display case on a wooden tray during a Rare Agarwood Tour in Hanoi
Beaded necklaces and tassel pendants hanging in a glass-front display case in a Hanoi agarwood shop on the rare tour
Glass jars on a wooden table filled with beaded rare agarwood necklaces, arranged for tasting and browsing in Hanoi
Rare agarwood tour in Hanoi: bottles of agarwood samples with blue caps arranged in arched glass holders
Rare agarwood tour in Hanoi: palms holding a carved agarwood bead bracelet while workshop jars sit blurred in back
Tasting workshop in Hanoi where guests sit at long tables, sampling drinks and sharing plates in a bright communal room
Rare agarwood tour in Hanoi: hands arranging beaded bracelets and small glass containers on a workshop table
Agarwood workshop interior in Hanoi with glass display counters, carved keepsakes, and framed maps under a wooden ceiling
Close-up of rough vertical agarwood wood samples on a shop display during a Rare Agarwood Tour in Hanoi
Hand holds a carved agarwood stick as smoke rises from a small burner on a bamboo mat during the Hanoi tour
Small group tasting and learning at a wooden table as a host guides an agarwood scent workshop in Hanoi
Travellers sit on floor cushions in a candle-lit room for a calm incense tasting during a rare agarwood tour in Hanoi
Rare agarwood display with visitors viewing tall resin specimens inside a gallery room in Hanoi during the tour
Guests lean over a table to examine golden agarwood samples together during a hands-on rare agarwood tour in Hanoi
Hands hold and inspect a piece of agarwood wood on a brown cloth during a fragrance workshop in Hanoi
Pouring hot infusion into a dripper on a table during a rare agarwood tour in Hanoi, with small jars and tools nearby
Vietnamese meal spread with bowls, greens, and tofu on a table for an agarwood tour tasting dinner in Hanoi
People enjoy a shared lunch at a long wooden table with Vietnamese dishes in a bright Hanoi restaurant for the agarwood tour
Participants sit on the floor as a host presents agarwood scents in a lantern-lit workshop room in Hanoi
People seated at wooden tables in a bright Hanoi aroma gallery while an attendant stands by a display board
Guests kneel around a table of agarwood samples during a guided Hanoi workshop in a bright exhibition space
Stuffed green gourd pieces topped with herbs on a serving tray, with other dishes at an indoor Hanoi tasting meal
Agarwood workshop table in Hanoi with cut wood pieces and wrapped samples laid out inside an exhibition room
Group entering a Hanoi courtyard workshop through an arched doorway bordered by bamboo plants and lush greenery
Hanoi lunch spread with bowls of noodles and leafy herbs on wooden tables during an Up Travel Vietnam rare agarwood tour
Guide and visitor examining a large agarwood log display inside a Hanoi venue on an Up Travel Vietnam rare agarwood tour
Group seated at a dining table with Vietnamese dishes in a bright Hanoi room during an Up Travel Vietnam rare agarwood tour
Visitors gather around a tall agarwood trunk for scent learning during an Up Travel Vietnam rare agarwood tour in Hanoi
Woman inspects and trims agarwood wood on a workshop table in Hanoi during an Up Travel Vietnam rare agarwood tour
Tea poured during the Rare Agarwood Tour in Hanoi, with tasting cups and a traditional teapot at the host-led session by Up Travel Vietnam
Guests gathered at a tasting counter in Hanoi during the Rare Agarwood Tour, browsing bottles and sample jars with Up Travel Vietnam
Hands selecting small glass vials on a tasting tray at the Rare Agarwood Tour in Hanoi, with scent samples and cups arranged nearby
Courtyard café interior used for the Rare Agarwood Tour in Hanoi, with display shelves, a service counter and rows of rattan chairs
Aromatic drink and beverage station inside a Hanoi café for the Rare Agarwood Tour, with espresso machines, shelves and staff at work
Guests learning about rare agarwood scent at a host-led tasting table in Hanoi, Vietnam, during an Up Travel Vietnam tour
Up Travel Vietnam host-led tour in Hanoi where travellers examine carved agarwood pieces in a traditional workshop
Group gathered around tables as a guide explains rare agarwood scent in the workshop café in Hanoi, Vietnam
Agarwood exhibition room in Hanoi with carved wood specimens on floor mats beneath hung Vietnamese banners
Museum-style exhibition in Hanoi showing artefacts and sliced agarwood samples under glass cases, with red festive banners
Hanging red and gold gift bags with Vietnamese writing inside a shop for an agarwood tour in Hanoi
Warm candlelit relaxation room with low cushions and rolled bedding for an agarwood scent experience in Hanoi
Museum-style gallery with a tall carved agarwood specimen on a pedestal among other wood displays in Hanoi

Discover Vietnam’s Sacred Agarwood

Learn about the fascinating world of agarwood!
5.0
|50 Reviews
Group size
Up to 24 guests
DURATION
5 hours
Booking type
Private trip
MEET UP
Free pick-up
Group size
Up to 24 guests
  • Experience highlights
  • Itinerary
  • Inclusions
  • Availability
  • More Info
  • Host
  • Reviews
Uncover a scent that is more expensive than gold
Most travellers come to Hanoi for its street food, Old Quarter and temples. This experience takes you into a much less visible side of Vietnamese culture: the world of agarwood, a rare fragrant resin that has shaped Buddhist rituals, traditional medicine and scent culture across Vietnam and Asia for centuries.Agarwood is one of the most expensive materials on Earth - worth more than gold, and is one of Vietnam’s most precious natural materials. It comes from Aquilaria trees grown across Southeast Asia and has been used for centuries in Vietnamese Buddhist temples and meditation. Distilled into oud, it also becomes one of the Middle East’s most revered and expensive scents.This half-day experience just outside Hanoi lets you understand agarwood where its story begins. You’ll learn how an ordinary-looking tree produces fragrant resin, smell different grades worth thousands of dollars and try the delicate work of trimming agarwood by hand.You’ll also experience why the scent is so closely linked with spirituality. Join a quiet agarwood meditation, taste tea and coffee made from the tree’s leaves, and enjoy a generous vegetarian Vietnamese lunch.For curious travellers, this is a chance to go beyond Hanoi’s better-known sights and understand something deeply connected to Vietnam, yet rarely explained to visitors.What to ExpectHotel pick-up in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and a 26km scenic drive to the agarwood centreGuided presentation on the cultural significance and uses of agarwood across the worldLearn the differences between natural, chemical, and sustainable oil extraction techniquesHands-on trimming activity to appreciate the delicate labour behind agarwood productsSee and smell different grades of agarwood and understand their valueVegan lunch with the local community - a chance to chat, learn, and connectPeaceful tea tasting with agarwood leaf tea and agarwood coffeeGood to KnowThis is a private experience, so you won’t be in a big group - it’s quiet, relaxed and personalYou won’t visit a factory or plantation despite what some descriptions may say - it’s all based from a central Buddhist retreat spaceThe experience is led by a translator-guide who speaks English fluently, so nothing gets lost in translationBring extra cash if you'd like to try the agarwood coffee or milk tea (they’re optional and worth it!)No heavy walking required - it’s mostly seated or indoors, great for any fitness levelProfits from agarwood sales go towards free community meals and local aid — so your visit supports a good causeIf you’re vegetarian or vegan, you’ll love the lunch here – all plant-based, all localCorporate Social ResponsibilityYour Seek Sophie host believes in giving back to the local community, so with every booking, $1 goes towards providing meals for pediatric patients in central Hanoi hospitals.

Experience highlights

Travellers seated in a Hanoi workshop tasting room during a rare agarwood tour, with cups and snacks on the table
Visit Vietnam's agarwood sanctuary
A guide pours dark tea from a small pot for a group during a rare agarwood tour in Hanoi, seated at wooden tables
Understand a sacred Vietnamese tree
Guests laughing and posing with raised hands during a Hanoi cultural workshop, seated at a table with greenery
Wood that is more expensive than gold
Agarwood workshop display in a Hanoi shop, with two people seated beside carved wood pieces and tools for scent preparation
Learn how oud starts in Vietnam
Hand pouring amber tea into cups during a rare agarwood tour in Hanoi, with a wooden table and tasting session atmosphere
Taste agarwood tea and coffee
Rare agarwood tour in Hanoi: hands arranging beaded bracelets and small glass containers on a workshop table
Smell agarwood worth thousands
Tasting workshop in Hanoi where guests sit at long tables, sampling drinks and sharing plates in a bright communal room
Enjoy a yummy lunch!
Smelling rare agarwood during a Hanoi hands-on tour, a guest holds fragrant pieces close near a wooden worktable with Up Travel Vietnam
Private half-day from Hanoi

What You’ll be Doing

Agarwood learning tour: Retreat visit, extraction demo, vegetarian lunch.
Show Details

What’s Included

Round-trip transfer
English-speaking tour guide
Vegetarian Lunch
Herbal Tea
Show Details

Who you’re supporting

community_based

Community Champion

Show Details

Next Available Dates

Prices shown in USD
Select Time for 10 Jul 2026
Additional Information

Where we'll meet

Start Point

Free pick-up from Your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter(Old Quarter, Vietnam)
  • 09:00am

End Point

  • End at Start Point(s)

Start & Ends

Daily
09:00AM - 02:30PM

Suitability / Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible
  • Pet-Friendly
  • Vegetarian food available
  • Child Friendly (No Minimum Age)

Cancellation & other policies

  • Cancellation

    Cancel 24 hours before activity for a full refund
From
1.328.700đ
/person
5.0(50)
Show Prices
Guests
Date & Time
You won't be charged yet
send as gift
Save
Share

Meet your host

Cherry is a thoughtful and engaging host who introduces travelers to Hanoi through hands-on experiences rooted in daily life. Whether guiding a crafted workshop, a cooking class or a neighborhood walk, she creates a warm environment where guests feel comfortable learning and participating. She shares stories about food, craft, and tradition in a way that is natural and inviting, helping guests understand the meaning behind each technique or practice. Known for her calm presence and genuine hospitality, Cherry connects travelers with the people behind the experiences—local artisans, home cooks, and community storytellers. With her, you won’t just observe Hanoi’s culture; you’ll take part in it, one conversation and one shared moment at a time.
Experience: 11 years
Speaks: Fluent English
Acceptance rate: 100%
Top Rated Host
Keep your payments secure by using the Seek Sophie website for all transactions and communications.

You May Also Like

Travellers riding a scooter through Vietnam countryside rice fields, wearing helmets and smiling with low power lines behind
Pink lotus flower floating across a lily pond in Vietnam, with a distant walkway and rooftops beyond the water
Ornate Vietnamese temple entrance with engraved roof, stone steps and a red curtain opening, set in a calm courtyard
Motorbike tour guide in Vietnam wearing a helmet and goggles, riding along a country road beside a pond and fields
Vegetable market stall in Vietnam with heaps of fresh greens and root veg, where a seated vendor waits by her produce
Lone traveller walking along a narrow wooden boardwalk over a lotus pond in Vietnam, with power lines and trees in view
Hanoi market stall under a canvas canopy, with vendors seated behind rows of dried goods, snacks, and produce for sale
Motorbike riders and guides posing in front of a traditional temple gate in Hanoi on a sightseeing tour
Previous
Next
quick view
5.0 (39)
|
4.5 hrs
|Up to 8 guests
Vespa Ride To Hanoi Countryside Villages & Ancient Mythical Citadel
“Delicious lunch with local family cafe”
Instant book
We've done the homework
our curation process
So.. who's Sophie?
We get asked that a lot! There’s no one on the team actually named Sophie. Sophie means wisdom in Greek. We wanted Seek Sophie to be about travel that helps you discover more about yourself and the world—travel that fills your heart and leaves you feeling more connected.
Destinations
About us
Our Story
Our Mission
Curation Process
Sustainability 101
Reviews
Discover more
Corporate Experiences
Invite a Friend
Current Promotions
Get in touch
Contact Us
Be a Seek Sophie Ambassador
Join Seek Sophie Creators
Let’s be friends!
Get the scoop on secret spots and hidden gems delivered straight to your inbox.
English
USD
English
USD
© Seek Sophie 2026PrivacyTerms
Travel Agent Licence TA03435