The boat tour starts at eight in the morning, when the mist has just cleared, the sunshine is mild, and the wind blows gently. Elderly Vietnamese prefer to sit on soft leather chairs on the main deck of the boat, admiring the scenery on the river and its banks through glass windows. Most younger people and foreigners prefer to climb onto the upper deck to have a broader view and enjoy the fresh air.

Passengers first see a corner of Hanoi from a new perspective. Travelling under the Chuong Duong and Long Bien Bridges while vehicles are bustling overhead is an amazing experience. On the left bank, newly built skyscrapers mushroom on the extended city’s skyline. The mossy tiled roofs built under the French administration in the Old Quarter are overshadowed by beautiful trees, creating a nostalgic sight for Hanoians and Hanoi lovers. On the right bank are tranquil rural villages bordered by bamboo hedges and orchids.

After two hours, the boat turns right into the Duong River and anchors at the suburban village of Phu Dong in Gia Lam District, Hanoi, the home village of the legendary hero Giong, who defeated the Yin enemy on an iron horse and flew to the heavens after the victory. Giong Temple in Phu Dong is one of four temples in the area worshipping this cultural icon. Next to Giong Temple is Kien So Pagoda, where King Ly Thai To (974-1028) spent his childhood. Built in 820, this is one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Vietnam.

At two in the afternoon, after lunchtime, the motorboat leaves Phu Dong Village to return downstream. On the way back to the wharf, it stops at Ghenh Temple and Bo De Pagoda. A day's floating on the river water and a stroll into the countryside ends the tour at 4.15pm.

Although the services provided during the tour are not luxurious, tourists find the trip pleasant and relaxing. One teacher from New Zealand said: "My country has many beautiful landscapes, but I find nature in Vietnam to be very special. So are Vietnamese people."

Vietnam Cultural Window