Day 1 & 2: (Monday - Tuesday , 02 – 03 June) – 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, 04 June) – 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, 05 June) – Ha Noi to Da Nang
On the way to the airport we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. We then catch our flight from Noi Bai Airport to Da Nang Airfield. On arrival we check into our hotel; have lunch at a local restaurant, 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. Tonight after dinner we are free to roam the streets of Da Nang.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Tourane, My Khe Beach
Day 5: (Friday, 06 June) – Da Nang to Quang Ngai
Today we depart south on Highway 1 to Tam Ky, Chu Lai and Quang Ngai. We stop along the way to visit areas of 5th and 7th Marines. In Chu Lai we visit Cresent Beach, Ky Ha and Hill 43. We arrive Quang Ngai early afternoon and explore east to the coast.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: My Tra
Day 6: (Saturday, 07 June) – Quang Ngai to Duc Pho
Depart south on Highway 1 for Duc Pho, Nui Dau, Nui Dang, Hai Mon Village. Ba To and Mo Duc are in the area. Explore from Nui Dau and villages to the coast. Return to Quang Ngai for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: My Tra
Day 7: (Sunday, 08 June) – Quang Ngai to Hoi An
We return north on Highway 1 to Hoi An check into the hotel and spend a free afternoon and evening roaming the streets and shops of this ancient port city (formerly known as Faifo) where Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese traders once walked.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoi An Trails
Day 8: (Monday, 09 June) – Hoi An
Depart early to the Que Sons, LZ Ross, LZ Baldy and west to Antenna Valley, up and over the Tu Bon River Pass to An Hoa Combat Base and stop at 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. We stop at Hill 119 as we return to Hoi An for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoi An Trails
Day 9: (Tuesday, 10 June) – Hoi An to Da Nang
Head north on Highway 1 towards Da Nang then we head west to visit Dai Loc, Hill 37, Hill 65, and Liberty Bridge (North End). We cross the Song Vu Gia into the Arizona Territory and visit the site of Operation Foster. We will spend the time needed in these areas. As we return to Da Nang we stop at Hill 55, the 7th Marine Regimental Hill. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Bamboo Green Central
Day 10: (Wednesday, 11 June) – Da Nang to Hue
We then head north on Highway 1 through Da Nang where we will visit 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. We continue North on Highway 1 through Phu Bai and into Hue City where we walk the south side of the Perfume River and study the 1968 Tet Offensive battles for the New City. 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 roam the fascinating shops on Le Loi Street.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 11: (Thursday, 12 June) – Hue to Dong Ha
After breakfast we explore the 1968 Tet Offensive battles for the Old City and the Citadel with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to the northern battle. We finish at the Imperial Palace and visit the Forbidden City. After lunch we depart north to Dong Ha and visit the Lew Puller School and cross the Dong Ha Bridge and tell the story of John Ripley and the 1972 Easter Offensive.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hieu Giang
Day 12: (Friday, 13 June) – Dong Ha to Hue
We travel north to Gio Linh and the Peace Bridge over the Song Ben Hai. Returning south and west, we visit Con Thien (The Hill of Angels), and Cam Lo Bridge, all parts of Leatherneck Square. We then turn west on Route 9 and stop at Camp Carroll, the Marine artillery plateau. We continue west to the Rockpile and Razorback, Khe Gia Bridge, Ca Lu, and Da Krong Bridge. We eat lunch in the village of Khe Sanh and then visit the Khe Sanh Combat Base and the Special Forces Camp at Lang Vei. We return to Hue for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 13: (Saturday, 14 June) – Hue to Ha Noi
After breakfast, we head to Phu Bai Airfield for our early flight to Ha Noi. We arrive at Noi Bai Airport and transfer to our hotel. We will visit the (mission depending) JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) for a command briefing on their efforts. The balance of the afternoon is preparing for the journey home and last minute shopping. Before dinner tonight, we have been invited to 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, 15 June) – RETURN to CONUS
After breakfast, we transfer to Noi Bai Airfield for the flight to Hong Kong. Departing from Hong Kong, we gain a day enroute to the continental United States by re-crossing the International Dateline, arriving in Los Angeles at approximately 2:30 p.m. this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
