Day 1 & 2: (Monday - Tuesday , 03 – 04 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, 55 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 John McCain Monument, Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) and the fascinating War Museum. Tonight we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B (in flight) /L/D Hotel: Thang Long Opera
Day 4: (Thursday, 06 March) – Ha Noi to Da Nang to Hue
On the way to the airport we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. We fly from Noi Bai Airfield to Da Nang Airfield. After lunch in Da Nang, we head north on Highway 1. Our first stop is at Red Beach 2 (were the Marines first landed in 1965) and then across 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. Continuing another 14 km we enter Hue (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam). Later in the afternoon we will 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. After dinner, you can relax by the pool or roam the fascinating shops on Le Loi Street until late night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Gaing
Day 5: (Friday, 07 March) – Hue
This morning we take a relaxing Dragon Boat 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.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Gaing
Day 6: (Saturday, 08 March) – Hue to Dong Ha
This morning we head north along Highway 1 to Dong Ha, making stops at sites along the way, such as Quang Tri City, Ai Tu Airfield, and the Lew Puller School. Upon arriving in Dong Ha, we will 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. Continuing north, we will visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hieu Giang Giangtel
Day 7: (Sunday, 09 March) – Dong Ha to Lao Bao
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 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. 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. Tonight we stay in Lao Bao on the Lao border.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Sepon
Day 8: (Monday, 10 March) – Lao Bao to Hue
Today we travel east to the Da Krong Bridge then south on Highway 14 through parts of the Da Krong River Valley and the A Shau Valley. As we approach A Loui, we will pass such notable battle sites as “Bloody Ridge” (Dong A Tay) and “Hamburger Hill” (Dong Ap Bia). After passing through A Loui, we will head east towards Hue.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 9: (Tuesday, 11 March) – Hue to Da Nang
Today we head south on Highway 1 to Phu Loc village. We will have lunch on top Ba Na Mountain and view the Big Buddha. Returning to the Da Nang area, we will visit a marble carving shop at Marble Mountain and we have a chance to climb the mountain to explore the VC hospital area located deep within. Leaving here we will visit the Marble Mountain Air Facility and China Beach. Tonight we are on our own to sample the local restaurants and night spots offered within Da Nang.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Bamboo Green (Central)
Day 10: (Wednesday, 12 March) – Da Nang
Today we explore the Camp Reasoner (Hill 327) area, Hill 55, north side of Liberty Bridge at Dai Loc, Hill 65 and the Arizona Territory. Tonight we are again our own to sample the local restaurants in Da Nang.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Bamboo Green (Central)
Day 11: (Thursday, 13 March) – Da Nang
Today we will head south 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 we stop at the south side of Liberty Bridge before moving on to explore the An Hoa Regimental Combat Base and the Coal Mines. 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. Dinner on our own tonight.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Bamboo Green (Central)
Day 12: (Friday, 14 March) – Da Nang
Vietnam Battlefield Tours has allotted this day as free time for you to decompress, relax, shop, or for personal exploration. Visit the beaches, Monkey Mountain, Marble Mountain or head west again to areas of interest. Lunch on our own. Tonight we gather for a Farewell Dinner at Kim Do Restaurant.
Meals: B/_/D Hotel: Bamboo Green (Central)
Day 13: (Saturday, 15 March) – Da Nang to Ha Noi
Depart Da Nang airport to Noi Bai airport for transition to Ha Noi. Enjoy the city and in the afternoon we visit JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) and in the evening we visit 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.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Thang Long Opera
Day 14: (Sunday, 16 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 the same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
