Embark on a day trip to the Perfume Pagoda, heading out of the city of Hanoi and travelling by private vehicle through the rich farming land of the Red River Delta, one of the holiest sites in Vietnam.

On arrival, board a private rowing boat for the relaxing cruise down the Yen River, passing limestone karts and emerald rice paddies before stopping at Den Trinh for an introduction to Vietnam’s Mahayana Buddhist religion. Here you can admire the local worshippers burning incense and praying for good luck and good fortune. From here you will continue to the base of the Perfume Pagoda to tour the many shrines and temples. Visit the pilgrimage site of Trien Tru, pass by the preserved footprint of Quan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) and descend into Huong Tich Cave.

This afternoon enjoy a picnic lunch if the weather permits and return by boat to the water’s edge to meet your driver and head back to the city in the late afternoon.