Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, our driver will be waiting to greet you at the arrival hall exit. You’ll then enjoy a comfortable 45-minute drive to the heart of Hanoi, passing over the historic Red River, where you can catch a glimpse of the city’s unique architecture and its famously bustling traffic.

The rest of the day is free at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are free at your own arrangement to explore the local cuisine. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

06:00: Start your day with a Tai Chi routine on sundeck or catch a morning view of the stunning bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

07:00: Breakfast will be served in Western style, familiar to you to fulfill your strength and ready for another exploring day.

08:00: Explore the well hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.

09:00: Upon return to the boat you will have about 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing.

10:00: Attend in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. You can quickly learn a simple but delicious Vietnamese dish that Gordon Ramsey (a 2 Michelin Star Chef) used to guide – Nem Cuon or challenge yourself in fruit and vegetables carving.

11:00: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch on boat.

12:00: Back to the harbor.

The cruise shuttle bus driver meets you at the Cruise Waiting Lounge and transfers you back to Hanoi. You will be dropped off at your previous hotel in the Old Quarter (room not included), where you can leave your luggage at the reception to freely enjoy a stroll around the Old Quarter, shop for souvenirs, get a massage, or have dinner at your own leisure and expense while waiting.

18:15: Your private driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the railway station for your overnight train to Hue.

Note: Each passenger will have a soft berth in a shared, air-conditioned cabin (4 berths/cabin). The train travels at an average speed of 60 km/h on 1.2-meter-wide tracks. The berths are like small beds, measuring 80 cm in width, which nevertheless allow you to sleep in relatively good conditions. We highly recommend having dinner before boarding, as the food served on the train is not very good.

Overnight on board the train (Shared cabin of 4 soft berths, air-conditioned).

Upon arriving at Hue train station in the morning, you meet our local guide and driver, then head to a nearby restaurant to enjoy a breakfast.

Afterwards, we board a dragon boat to cruise along the Perfume River, giving you a gentle introduction to Hue’s daily life unfolding on both banks of this poetic waterway.

Reaching Tien Non village, we step ashore for a leisurely bike ride through the countryside. Along the way, you meet villagers working in their fields and vegetable gardens, and stop to visit a traditional family worship house.

We continue to Thanh Tien, a 400-year-old village famous for crafting delicate paper flowers. Here, local families create these symbolic flowers for the New Year festival as offerings to their ancestors. You visit the home of Mr. Hieu, a renowned artisan, and learn how to make your own paper flower under his guidance.

The journey goes on to Sinh village, another 400-year-old craft community known as the birthplace of Hue’s traditional folk prints. Meet Mr. Phuoc, who shares the techniques behind these distinctive artworks - an ideal chance to find meaningful handmade souvenirs.

Around midday, we return to Hue.

Visit the serene Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest and most revered pagodas in Hue, founded in 1601. Set on the banks of the Perfume River, this spiritual landmark is instantly recognizable by its elegant octagonal tower. The peaceful surroundings and river views make this site a symbolic and contemplative highlight of the former imperial capital.

Follow itinerary to the Imperial Citadel, the last remaining symbol of what was once Vietnam’s imperial capital. Inspired by Vauban-style fortifications, the complex is divided into three distinct sections: Kinh Thanh (the Capital City), Hoang Thanh (the Imperial City), and Cam Thanh (the Forbidden City). Within these walls lie many of Hue’s most remarkable landmarks, including the Flag Tower, the imposing South Gate, and the Palace of Supreme Harmony.

Begin with a visit to the Khai Dinh Tomb, the most distinctive of Hue’s imperial tombs. Unlike the others, it blends traditional Vietnamese design with strong Western influences. A climb of around one hundred stone steps leads to the main worship hall at the summit, where visitors admire an extraordinary interior adorned with intricate mosaics made from porcelain and glass fragments. Highlights include the impressive ceiling mural depicting a soaring dragon and a small exhibition displaying royal artifacts connected to Emperor Khai Dinh.

Travel onward to Hoi An on a scenic drive of around 3.5 hours. The route follows some of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in central Vietnam, passing the tranquil Lang Co Lagoon, crossing the dramatic Hai Van Pass (also known as the Sea Cloud Pass), and skirting the coastline near My Khe Beach, famous for its long stretch of white sand and clear waters.

In the afternoon, discover the timeless charm of Hoi An Ancient Town on a guided walking tour.

Begin at the Museum of Antiquities, home to a compact yet insightful collection of Cham artefacts and ceramics, offering a deeper understanding of Hoi An’s layered cultural heritage.

Continue on foot to the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, a 17th-century wooden structure and enduring symbol of the town’s historic role as an international trading port.

Your walk concludes at Quan Thang Ancient House, one of Hoi An’s best-preserved merchant residences, admired for its elegant architecture and refined wood carvings that reflect the prosperity and aesthetic sensibilities of a bygone era.

Today, we take a leisurely bike ride to discover the peaceful rural villages around Hoi An. Depart from your hotel and pedal toward Kim Bong village, a community long celebrated for its traditional woodcarving. Local artisans first inherited their techniques from northern Vietnam, then refined their craft through exchanges with Chinese and Japanese masters, gradually shaping a distinctive style of their own.

Continue cycling along quiet trails lined with rice paddies, bamboo bridges and river views before reaching Tra Nhieu village. This is a wonderful immersion into Central Vietnam’s countryside. Along the way, you meet local families such as Ms. Duoc, who weaves sedge mats; Mr. Kha, known for his round bamboo basket boats; and Mr. Huynh Ri, who maintains a small traditional shipyard. The scenery of nipa palms, rice fields, grazing buffaloes and farmers at work accompanies your ride.

From Tra Nhieu, board a boat along the Thu Bon River to Cam Thanh village. The journey flows through tranquil landscapes of fishing farms and lush water palms. On arrival, step into a small round bamboo basket boat and try your hand at catching crabs in the palm-water channels.

Afterward, relax at the home of a local fisherman, Mr. Phong, where you enjoy green tea and a soothing herbal foot massage using plants grown in his garden. Then, with fresh vegetables and herbs, take part in a hands-on cooking session to prepare typical Hoi An dishes such as crispy pancakes (with meat, shrimp and bean sprouts) and fresh spring rolls — and then savor the dishes you’ve created.

Note: For guests who cannot ride a bicycle, you can choose the moto-taxi option with an additional charge of 15 USD per person.

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and take you to Tan Son Nhat Airport.