A scene from the first floor of Truc Lam Quan Tue, located in the rural, suburban district of Dong Anh in the capital city of Hanoi. The first floor consists of a space for the exhibition of agarwood – a fragrant dark resinous wood of high commercial value, traded worldwide and primarily used for its distinctive fragrance in incense, perfume, medicine, and small carvings; a room to host international guests; and a workshop for jewellery making. Agarwood, also called aloeswood, eaglewood or gharuwood, and popularly known as oudh or gaharu, is created when Aquilaria trees are wounded and infected by fungi, producing resin as a defence mechanism. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A space for the display of agarwood products at Truc Lam Quan Tue. Products from agarwood include incense sticks and cones, essential oil, bead bracelets, and necklaces. The resin-embedded wood is valued in East and South Asian cultures for its distinctive fragrance and is used for incense and perfumes. It is said to have "woody" scent, with notes of fruit, soft florals, vanilla, and musk. The aromatic qualities of agarwood are influenced by the species, geographic location, its branch, trunk and root origin, length of time since infection, and methods of harvesting and processing. First-grade agarwood is one of the world's most expensive natural raw materials. One of the main reasons for its relative rarity and high cost is the depletion of wild resource. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A display of agarwood in different shapes and sizes. Agarwood, also called aloeswood, eaglewood or gharuwood, is formed when Aquilaria trees are wounded and exposed to biotic and abiotic stresses. The tree, native to Southeast Asia, is found in the rainforests of many countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. Before the infection, the infected area is odourless, relatively light, and pale-coloured; however, as the infection progresses, the tree produces a dark aromatic resin called aloes or agar in response to the attack. Wild-type agarwood takes years to produce, and only a small number of Aquilaria are infected in the wild and produce agarwood. Therefore, methods for artificial agarwood induction have been created to prevent the trees from becoming extinct. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A large agarwood on display. According to folklore, agarwood is caused when the scent of the sky carried by the wind makes a landing on the wound on the trunk of the Aquilaria tree, called 'do bau' in Vietnamese. The scent is then mixed with the resin flowing from the wound. As a result, agarwood is considered a spirit of heaven and earth. In fact, wild-type agarwood takes years to produce, and only a small number of Aquilaria are infected in the wild and produce agarwood. The aromatic dark resinous wood is of high commercial value, traded worldwide and primarily used for its distinctive fragrance in incense, perfume, medicine, and small carvings. First-grade agarwood is one of the world's most expensive natural raw materials. (Photo: Vietnam Plus) 
In the picture is a statue-carved pendant made from agarwood. Agarwood carving has different types that depend on the material's original, quality, shape and size; the price will depend on them also. The material is rare, so every stage must be done manually and meticulously. Other products made from agarwood include incense sticks and cones, essential oil, bead bracelets, and necklaces. First-grade agarwood is one of the world's most expensive natural raw materials. One of the main reasons for its relative rarity and high cost is the depletion of wild resources. Therefore, methods for artificial agarwood induction have been created to prevent the trees from becoming extinct. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Boxes of agarwood incense cones on display at the Truc Lam Quan Tue. Located in Phuong Trach road, Vinh Ngoc commune, Dong Anh district, Hanoi, the place is a special space for agarwood lovers. It offers visitors an open space so that everyone can see the entire production process and understand the value of agarwood to know why products from rare materials are always expensive. Only a small number of Aquilaria trees are infected in the wild and produce agarwood, which takes years to form. The resin-embedded wood is valued in East and South Asian cultures for its distinctive fragrance. It is said to have "woody" scent, with notes of fruit, soft florals, vanilla, and musk. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Visitors to Truc Lam Quan Tue are also treated to tea-tasting activities, a charming feature in the cultural life of Vietnamese people. To promote relaxation and mindfulness, these activities often include information about the different types of teas, brewing techniques, and the history and cultural significance of tea. Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis (often called tea plant, tea shrub, and tea tree), an evergreen shrub native to East Asia. There are many different types of tea; some have a cooling, slightly bitter, and astringent flavour, while others have vastly different profiles that include sweet, nutty, floral, or grassy notes. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Smoke from agarwood incense cones captured rises from a metal container on the tea table. Tea, which has a stimulating effect on humans primarily due to its caffeine content, is among the most widely consumed drink in the world. There are many different types of tea; some have a cooling, slightly bitter, and astringent flavour, while others have vastly different profiles that include sweet, nutty, floral, or grassy notes. Meanwhile, agarwood has a "woody" scent, with notes of fruit, soft florals, vanilla, and musk. Therefore, drinking tea in a space filled with the aroma of agarwood offers a great sense of calmness and relaxation. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Tea is poured into small cups to serve Truc Lam Quan Tue guests. Tea tasting activities are a charming feature in the cultural life of Vietnamese people. To promote relaxation and mindfulness, these activities often include information about the different types of teas, brewing techniques, and the history and cultural significance of tea. The drinks prepared and served can be an aromatic beverage from fresh leaves of the tea plant or the infusions of fruit, leaves, or other plant parts, such as steeps of rosehip, chamomile, or rooibos. Drinking tea in a space filled with the aroma of agarwood offers a great experience of calmness and relaxation. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A Japanese tourist (R) enjoys a cup of tea in a space imbued with the pure scent of agarwood at Truc Lam Quan Tue. Agarwood, also called aloeswood, eaglewood or gharuwood, is formed when Aquilaria trees are wounded and exposed to biotic and abiotic stresses. The tree, native to Southeast Asia, is found in the rainforests of many countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. Tea ceremonies have arisen in different cultures, such as the Chinese and Japanese traditions, each of which employs certain techniques and ritualised protocols of brewing and serving tea for enjoyment in a refined setting. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A corner of Truc Lam Quan Tue. Located in Phuong Trach road, Vinh Ngoc commune, Dong Anh district, Hanoi, the quiet place is a special space for agarwood lovers and anyone wanting an aromatic and fresh escape from their daily hustle and bustle life. It offers visitors an open space so that everyone can see the entire production process and understand the value of agarwood to know why products from rare materials are always expensive. The guests are also treated to tea-tasting activities, a charming feature in the cultural life of Vietnamese people. With a view to promoting relaxation and mindfulness, these activities often include information about the different types of teas, brewing techniques, and tea's history and cultural significance. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A table full of vegetarian culinary delights served at Truc Lam Quan Tue. Vegetarian cuisine is based on food that meets vegetarian standards by not including meat and animal tissue products. Some studies showed that vegetarian diets are good for the heart as they comprise high-fibre whole grains, nuts, legumes, raw and fresh fruits and vegetables, and other low-glycemic foods. They are said to reduce cancer risk as it is an animal-free diet. It is also noticed that people who do not eat meat have a chance of having lower blood pressure. This is because vegetables tend to have less fat percentage and a low amount of sodium, while fruits have a good amount of potassium. (Photo: VietnamPlus) VNA
