Burning incense is a custom associated with Buddhism in Vietnam. People light incense almost every day at their home altars for their relatives who have passed away, for their business and for the pleasant smell which creates a warm atmosphere. The way the incense sticks are placed into the incense burner on the altar after praying is also important. People say that when the incense finishes burning, the shape of the remains can mean that the god received or rejected your prayer.
Making incense is really difficult according to the lady I talked with today, not because of the shape but because of the aroma and the different ingredients needed to get it right. Incense is made from botannical produce, and there are about 20 kinds of aroma. Huong Tram is one of the most popular ones for Asian people and is made from the tree of the same name. 
There are a few kinds of incense that, when you light them, give off hydrocarbons which can be harmful.
8 comments:
Very nice page. I like your photos of the incense. An informative site. Thanks.
In India,we use agarbathi, similar to these incense, but those are long sticks available in various aromas
I burn incense in my apartment too, but sometimes I do worry if breathing in this stuff can cause lung cancer.
very informative blog about Vietnam..I was in Hanoi/HCM several years ago..I miss the pho..we have it in Singapore but not the real stuff..currently im stationed in Dubai..all the bests to u!
Heyas, congratulations on being invited to write with Global Voices! Anyway, I was taught in my Hinduism class, that when we burn agarbathi in temple, the smoke is used to symbolise the element of air. Fun fact for the day! :)
That's alot of incense. I love Vietnamese food. At least what I tried here. Pho and other stuff. Great blog. Thanks.
Hi all,
Thanks for all of your comments, they meant alot to me.
Fantastic pictures. Really enjoy your blog.
Post a Comment