ROCS Holidays - Vietnam Private Tour 1

Timeless Vietnam Visiting: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh DAY 1 - MALTA – VIETNAM Flight departure from Malta International Airport for your flight to Vietnam. DAY 2 - HANOI DAY 4 – VISIT THE BAT TRANG POTTERY VILLAGE (B)

Vietnam. These tiny islands are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created by the wind and the waves. Observing the limestone rocks rising from the sea and sailed junk boats sail by will be a truly memorable experience. The scenic 3.5-hour drive from Ninh Binh to Ha Long is full of spectacular scenery as you will pass through seemingly endless green paddy fields and lush fruit farms. Arrive at the Halong City pier at midday and complete check-in procedures. Following the aboard greeting, lunch will be given while the ship sails towards the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy tours and/or activities (depending on the schedule of each vessel) as the cruises on emerald green waters among thousands of rugged islands and incredible limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, stopping at spectacular caves through which you can wander, viewing impressive, centuries-old formations. or just rest on board. The boat anchors for the night amid the karst formations at the onclusion of the day. Dinner is served onboard. DAY 7 - HALONG-HANOI-HUE (B,BRUNCH) Enjoy a fresh morning in the middle of the bay as the sun rises over the horizon. The breakfast (brunch on certain boats) is provided while the yacht leisurely glides back to port past the spectacular rock formations. Head to Hanoi airport after disembarkation for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, meet your guide then transfer to hotel. Time to relax and unwind. DAY 8 - HUE (B) Hue, the former Imperial capital, is a tranquil and peaceful city with the magnificent architecture of its citadel, palaces, royal tombs, garden houses, pagodas and temples, built under the Nguyen dynasty on the banks of the Perfume River. This morning, set off for a leisure boat trip floating on the Perfume River that flows through the charming Hue city. Disembark your boat and visit Thien Mu pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Built in 1601, the seven storied tower pagoda perched on top of on a hill overlooking the Perfume River is one of Vietnam’s most recognizable icons. Head out to the last resting place of the 12th king of Nguyen dynasty, Khai Dinh who left behind a magnificent and huge burial compound idyllically located on the peaceful Chau Chu Mountain and different from structures of previous predecessor Royal’ tombs. Passing by the spectacular entryway with its spectacular dragon pillars, get inside the colorful mosaic interior in the spacious main building decorated with murals of the “Four Seasons”, the “Eight Precious Objects”, the “Five Blessings”, and many others. Notice a perfect architectural combination of European and Asian culture, between classic and modern features.This afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel at the centre of the Complex of Hue Monuments inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Enter through the towering main gate to observe the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Some sections suffered the most extensive damage during the Vietnam War, but most of them are incredibly well- € 3999pp 17 DEC 2025 - 03 JAN 2026 18 DAY GUIDED TOUR FROM

The local villagers of the Red River Delta have preserved their traditions, in particular, pottery for thousands of years. Located about 15km southeast of downtown Hanoi, Bat Trang Pottery Village is home to over hundreds artisans who combine both traditional and modern techniques to create beautiful porcelain artworks. Visit on arrival the Bat Trang temple, and the communal house to gain valuable insight into the art of making Vietnamese ceramics and find out why Bat Trang ceramics are well-known across Vietnam. Stop at a small family-run factory who still use traditional methods to make simple yet sturdy ceramics meant for daily use and chat with the craftsmen as they share their life stories. After learning the process of molding and carving clay pots, you will have a chance to test your skills and creativeness by making your pottery products with the guidance of the local skillful craftsmen. Wander around the village and make a stop at the ceramic market to learn more about the local trade and opt to purchase nice ceramic products (own account) to bring home as a unique souvenir. DAY 5 – HANOI - NINH BINH (B,L) Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, Ninh Binh is home to amazing karst mountains, misty caves, and historical relics. This morning, enjoy a 2-hour drive from downtown Hanoi to Ninh Binh province. It is a spectacular landscape of limestone karts peaks permeated with valleys, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by spectacular cliffs. Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu to get an overview of the first three centralized feudal states of Vietnam: the Dinh Dynasty, the Le Dynasty, and the Ly Dynasty. While the ancient citadel has probably disappeared, the temples of the Dinh and Le Dynasties still remain surrounded by rice paddies and mountains. Lunch at local restaurant (Vietnamese food set menu). Visit Bich Dong which was conferred by a King as the “Vietnam’s second most beautiful grotto”. The grotto is adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and colors. Climb up the Ngu Nhac Son (Buddha’s Palm Mountain) to enjoy the panoramic view that is created by mountains, rivers, pagodas, and temples. Known as “Ha Long Bay on Land”, Tam Coc (“three caves” in Vietnamese meaning) was formed by the river of Ngo Dong flowing through a mountain. This afternoon, a local skilled rower will take you on a magnificent waterway lined with rice paddies. Enjoy the spectacular view of the karst formation as you explore these caves amid by towering mountains. Disembark the boat and enjoy a follow a village trail to reach Thai Vi temple. Enjoy the beautiful rural landscape as you pass by the endless rice fields and mysterious grotto with a sacred shrine inside. DAY 6 - NINH BINH – HALONG BAY (B,L,D) Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is a naturalist’s dream. Magnificent Ha Long Bay, with its 3,000 islands rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of the natural marvels of

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, after you finish all customs and immigration procedures, please head to the exit gate and look for your guide who will be waiting for you, holding a welcome signboard with your name on it. Then, you will be transferred to your hotel in town by a private vehicle. DAY 3 - HANOI (B) The capital of Vietnam, Ha Noi is a perfect blend of old and new, Asian and European, a dynamic unification of tradition and progressive 21st-century thinking. Despite recent rapid development, the city has retained much of its traditional identity. Begin your journey to Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Home to an extensive collection of traditional costumes and artefacts from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups, the museum offers an engaging exploration of Vietnam’s multi ethnic character and promotes socio cultural diversity. Transfer to your private flower arrangement class. Every culture has its own unique perspective on floral artistry, and each country showcases its own signature blooms. In this flower arrangement class, you’ll learn the art of floral design under the guidance of local florists. As you craft your own stunning bouquet, you’ll have the chance to interact with expert florists, gain insight into local floral traditions. Designed to be fun, engaging, and relaxing, this class welcomes participants of all skill levels, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone. In the afternoon visit complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder and affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”. Make the first stop at the historic Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (exterior view), an imposing monument built to serve as the final resting place of Uncle Ho. Tour the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 of wood on a single stone pillar, designed to resemble a lotus blossom, a symbol of purity. Continue to the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam. Constructed in the 11th Century, this stunning temple constitutes a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote. Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, known simply as the 36 Streets, is a must-see for anyone traveling to Vietnam. With a history dating back to about the 13th Century, it used to be a residential, manufacturing, and commercial center where each street was specialized in one specific type of manufacturing or commerce. Hanoi Old Quarter now still retains its unique architecture as well as the enormous amount and diversity of products and everyday life of its residents. Messy and crazy, this walk provides you an exciting chance for a deeper encounter with local life. Cap off your trip by wandering around the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake “Lake of the Returned Sword”, named after a magical sword once used by the most revered heroes to defeat the Chinese Ming Dynasty and then returned to the Golden Turtle God of the lake.

TIMELESS VIETNAM 2025

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