Step aboard the Hueritage Cruise vessel for a refined three-hour journey down the Perfume River. This is the perfect way to absorb Hue’s regal heritage from a different perspective. Each trip delivers a thoughtfully curated programme, showcasing the soul of Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Passengers are treated to views of iconic landmarks, including the rustic charm of Hen Islet, the folk artistry of Sinh Village, the historic port of Bao Vinh and Thanh Tien, a village that is home to paper flower artisans. Narration about points of interest is provided as we travel downstream past each famed attraction. As the river flows, so does a fine-dining set menu inspired by royal cuisine, followed by a tranquil Royal Tea ritual. The Hueritage Cruise accommodates just 48 guests, adding to the intimacy of the occasion. This graceful midday excursion perfectly blends culture, cuisine and the beauty of historic Hue.

Discover the serene spirit of Hue on a morning excursion that traces the footsteps of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. We begin at Tu Hieu Pagoda, a tranquil Zen temple where this revered teacher is honoured. After exploration of the tombs of Nguyen Dynasty eunuchs, we participate in a calming stone-arranging activity, paired with silent meditation as temple bells echo through the pine forest. Following the gentle flow of the Perfume River, we continue to Thanh Trung vegetable village to meet farmers and visit the communal house and ancestral church of Thich Nhat Hanh’s family. A tour of his peaceful home includes assisting his niece to pick fresh vegetables and prepare a vegetarian meal. We conclude with tea and contemplation of this great master’s work.

Located only 7km from the centre of Hue, Thanh Toan consists of a peaceful countryside where echoes of an ancient village, founded in the 16th century, is still very much visible on the landscape. Plus, there are temples to explore and a traditional way of life to absorb. You will only get a taste of true rural life through participating in some hands-on agricultural experience, so we meet the farmers in the field and learn some farming techniques. We then continue exploring the countryside, the village and the clan’s shrine house, before hoping into a sampan and going fishing using traditional techniques. We then hang out like a local on the intriguing tile-roofed bridge. This was built in the 17th century with the typical architectural style of Thuong Gia Ha Kieu, meaning the house is constructed above the bridge. We then go on a short cycling excursion, concluding a tour that provides an ideal insight into rural life you cannot get on the average tourist trail.

On this tour, we embark on a boat cruise along the romantic Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. We also visit the splendid Imperial city from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802-to-1945. We also take in the lively Dong Ba Market and after lunch visit the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, followed by some handicraft workshops.

The imperial city of Hue has been acclaimed by UNESCO as ‘a masterpiece of urban poetry’ and there is good reason why with its host of attractions that include its green Citadel, royal gardens, royal mausoleums, pagodas and beautiful homes. The latter were once the private residences for princes and princesses, high-ranking mandarins and wealthy families. It was from these places that the royal and aristocratic lifestyle spread to the ‘commoners’ and shaped Hue’s elegant way of life. Due to the pressure of urbanisation, population growth, as well as economic and lifestyle changes, Hue had been losing this treasure over the years, but in an effort to preserve this threatened heritage, we have been assisting local families to renovate their ancestor’s homes so they are preserved for posterity.

Step back in time on a powerful journey through Vietnam’s Demilitarized Zone with this full-day small-group tour from Hue, guided by an English-speaking expert in war history. Travel through Quang Tri province as your guide shares moving stories about the infamous Horror Highway, where thousands of civilians lost their lives during a tragic evacuation in 1972. Pass by Long Hung Church, one of the few war-torn structures still standing in Quang Tri town, before arriving at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel – site of the brutal 81-day siege that turned the walled fortress into rubble under relentless bombardment. Continue west to Khe Sanh Combat Base (Ta Con Airport), now a museum featuring captured tanks, aircraft, and exhibits recounting the intense 170-day battle. Along the way, you may glimpse daily life in a Paco ethnic minority village. After lunch, head to Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River, the historic dividing line between North and South Vietnam marked by symbolic colors and propaganda loudspeakers. Conclude the day with a visit to the remarkable Vinh Moc Tunnels, a vast underground complex that sheltered entire communities during years of intense bombing – an enduring testament to human resilience. This immersive tour offers a sobering yet meaningful look into Vietnam’s wartime legacy.

This full-day tour to Hue takes in this cultural and historical enclave’s greatest treasures. This UNESCO World Heritage site contains the landmarks of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty. Visitors can explore mysterious citadels, tombs, temples and pagodas. The tour starts with the drive to Hue and on arrival we board a dragon boat and cruise along the romantic Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most ancient architectural structures for religious worship in the former capital city. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial city from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. We then return to respective hotels in Danang or Hoi An in the late afternoon.