Step into the Vietnam of yesteryear with an outing by boat and bike that takes you to the ancient temple of Thien Mu—the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady. From there, get a glimpse of traditional village life during a cooking class in Thuy Bieu, which lies hidden within a lush setting of citrus plants and bamboo.

Your adventure begins with pickup from your hotel in the morning and a quick ride to the banks of the Perfume River, where you board a boat for a scenic cruise down this fragrant waterway. Arrive at Thien Mu, a 7-story pagoda built in 1601 that's an icon of Hue.

From there, hop on a bike for a leisurely ride to Thuy Bieu, a village tucked within the forest that's remained unchanged for decades. Spend some time pedaling around the rustic buildings and garden houses of the village, passing by groves of thanh tra, a special type of pomelo with a mild, sweet taste.

Then, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class in the home of a local. Under their supervision, learn to prepare typical Vietnamese ingredients to make some of the region's signature dishes. Sit down to savor the fruits of your labor, and then enjoy a therapeutic moment as you soak your feet in herbal water before beginning the bike ride back to your hotel.