Day 1 & 2: (Monday - Tuesday , 12 – 13 March) – Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal. Depart Los Angeles on our flight to Hong Kong. We lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 3: (Wednesday, 14 March) – Ha Noi
After a short layover in Hong Kong, we depart for Vietnam. Arriving at Ha Noi’s Noi Bai Airfield (heavily bombed during the war) we proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, clear customs, board our motorcoach, and cross the Red River and its dikes to explore the Ha Noi environs. We visit the Ho Chi Minh House, the One Pillar Pagoda, the fascinating War Museum, the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), and the John McCain Monument. This evening, we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B (in flight) /L/D Hotel: Thang Long Opera
Day 4: (Thursday, 15 March) – Ha Noi to Da Nang
On the way to the airport, we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Continuing on to Noi Bai, we catch our flight to Da Nang Airfield. After lunch, we visit the old Marble Mountain Air Facility area. We also visit a marble carving shop and climb Marble Mountain to explore the VC hospital area located deep within. Afterwards, we can go for a swim in the South China Sea at China Beach.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Bamboo Green
Day 5: (Friday, 16 March) – Da Nang to Hoi An
Today we head southwest from Da Nang past Freedom Hill (Hill 327). Our first sites are Hill 55 and Hill 37 after which we travel west on Thunder Road (Highway 4) to Hill 65. We then make our way to the ancient port town of Hoi An, formerly known as Faifo, where we visit a woodcarving shop and silk factory. After dinner, you can roam the streets of this old port-of-call where ancient Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese traders once walked.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoi An Pacific
Day 6: (Saturday, 17 March) – Hoi An
Leaving our hotel early, we drive south on Highway 1 stopping at interesting sites, including Chu Lai Airfield, Ky Ha, and Hill 43. After exploring the area, we return to Hoi An for the evening. Tonight you can enjoy the hotel pool.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoi An Pacific
Day 7: (Sunday, 18 March) – Hoi An to Da Nang
After breakfast, we bid Hoi An goodbye and travel north on Highway 1. Turning west and paralleling Go Noi Island, our first stop is a trek up to the Recon post on Hill 119. Continuing west, and after stopping at the Liberty Bridge area, we explore the An Hoa Regimental Combat Base and the German Hospital Complex. We make a special visit to the My Son Holyland located deep in the foothills of the Que Son Mountains. My Son is the site of Trakieu, the ancient capital of the Cham Kingdom and contains ruins dating back to the 5th Century. Tonight we are on our own to sample the local restaurants and night spots offered in the Da Nang area.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Bamboo Green
Day 8: (Monday, 19 March) – Da Nang
At about this time in the tour, jet lag starts to set in. Vietnam Battlefield Tours has allotted this day as free time for you to decompress, relax, shop, or for personal exploration. Lunch and dinner are on our own.
Meals: B/_/_ Hotel: Bamboo Green
Day 9: (Tuesday, 20 March) – Da Nang to Dong Ha
Leaving very early, we pass through Dog Patch on our way north. Our first stops are Red Beach 2 (were the Marines first landed in 1965) and Nam O Bridge and past the Esso Plant on our way up the Hai Van (Sea Clouds) Pass with a stop at the top to explore old French bunkers and take in a parting view of Da Nang Bay. Continuing down the Hai Van, we stop at interesting sites along the way before arriving in Phu Bai to view the airfield. Continuing another 14km we enter Hue (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam). After lunch, we study the 1968 Tet Offensive battles for Hue by walking the southern battle areas. We follow the actions of 1/1 and 2/5, covering among others, the former MACV Compound, Tran Cao Van Street, Girl's High School, the ARVN BOQ, Hue University, Treasury, Provincial Capital Building, and the Church of the Redemptress. We then continue north making stops at sites along the way, such as Quang Tri City, Ai Tu Airfield, and the Lew Puller School.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hieu Giang
Day 10: (Wednesday, 21 March) – Dong Ha
This morning, we explore Leatherneck Square, including the four quadrants of Cam Lo Bridge, Con Thien (The Hill of Angels), Gio Linh FSB Forward (Alpha 2), and the Bridge at Dong Ha. We will also stop at the Peace Bridge over the Song Ben Hai, the river that was the only true physical demarcation between the North and South. Upon our return we get a look at the old Cua Viet base area on the South China Sea.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hieu Giang
Day 11: (Thursday, 22 March) – Dong Ha to Hue
After breakfast we head west on Route 9. Our first stop is Camp Carroll, the Marine artillery plateau. We continue on to the Rockpile for a short hike to the Razorback. Along the way we will come upon other sites that were of military importance during the war, including the Four Gates to Hell, the Khe Gia Bridge, Vandergrift Combat Base (LZ Stud), Ca Lu, the Da Krong Bridge, and the Hairpin. After stopping for lunch in the village of Khe Sanh, we continue almost to the Laotian border to the Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, overrun in the first ever NVA tank assault. Co Roc Mountain soars to the heavens just across the border. After Lang Vei, we turn back to Khe Sanh village and head north to the Khe Sanh Combat Base where we will take ample time to search this historic site. We then head back to Hue for the evening. After dinner in Hue, you can relax by the pool or roam the fascinating shops on Le Loi Street until late at night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 12: (Friday, 23 March) – Hue
This morning we take a relaxing cruise up the beautiful Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Nguyen Dynasty Tu Duc Tombs. We return to lunch and use the balance of the afternoon to explore the Citadel with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to the 1968 Tet Offensive northern battle for Hue, including the Chuck Meadows and Dong Ba Gates and the phase lines. We finish at the Imperial Palace gate blown by 1/5, which allowed the ARVN to enter and lower the NVA flag that had flown from the main flagpole for 24 days. We then visit the Forbidden City, home to the ancient emperors. Tonight we gather for our Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 13: (Saturday, 24 March) – Hue to Ha Noi
After breakfast, we transfer to Phu Bai Airfield for our return flight to Ha Noi. Arriving at Noi Bai, we head to our hotel to prepare for the journey home and more last-minute shopping. This evening we visit (mission permitting) the Marine House, home of the U.S. Marine Corps Security Guard responsible for the protection and defense of the U.S. Ambassador and the American Embassy. We also we enjoy a performance of the world-famous Ha Noi Water Puppet Theater.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Thang Long Opera
Day 14: (Sunday, 25 March) – RETURN to CONUS
After breakfast, we transfer to Noi Bai Airfield for our short flight to Hong Kong. We depart from Hong Kong, re-cross the International Dateline, and land in Los Angeles this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
