Day 1: (Monday , 11 August) – Enroute
Report to Seattle’s Sea-Tac Airport. Depart Seattle on our flight to Taipei. We lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 2: (Tuesday, 12 August) – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
After a short layover in Taipei, we depart for Vietnam. Arriving at Ton Son Nhut International Airport at 9:45 a.m. we proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, clear customs, board our motorcoach. We proceed to our hotel, check in, freshen up, have lunch and begin our tour of Saigon visiting the War Remnants Museum, Cha Cham Church, Reunification Hall (Old Presidential Palace), Norte Dame and the former US Embassy which now houses the new US Consulate. We return to our hotel and enjoy a Welcome Dinner. After dinner we explore the shops of famed Old Tu Do Street (now Dong Khoi Street).
Meals: B (in flight) /L/D Hotel: Vien Dong
Day 3: (Wednesday, 13 August) – Ho Chi Minh City to An Giang Province
Early morning departure for An Giang Province and the site of Special Forces Detachment B-43 Camp at Chi Lang, Nui Giai and Nui Ta Bec. On arrival, we check into our hotel, have lunch and begin planning our explorations of the area.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Nui Sam Hotel
Day 4: (Thursday, 14 August) – Chi Lang and Nui Ta Bec
Full day in the field exploring the Special Forces Camp B-43 at Chi Lang, Nui Cam and the Ambush Site of Lt. Kinsman’s Patrol on January 15, 1971 on Nui Ta Bec.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Nui Sam Hotel
Day 5: (Friday, 15 August) – Nui Ta Bec to Ho Chi Minh City
After morning memorial service at Nui Ta Bec we depart for Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with stops along the way for photo opportunities.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Vien Dong
Day 6: (Saturday, 16 August) – Ho Chi Minh City
Early morning departure for Tay Ninh Province where we will visit the Cao Dai Holy See (Temple), Cu Chi Tunnels and other points of interest. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon. After dinner you are free to roam Old Tu Do Street.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Vien Dong
Day 7: (Sunday, 17 August) – Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An
Early morning departure from Ton Son Nhut International Airport on our flight to Da Nang. On arrival we proceed to Marble Mountain, passing through the old Marine Corps Helicopter Complex north of the mountain. At Marble Mountain we will explore the marble shops at the base of the mountain. Arriving in Hoi An at mid-day we check into our hotel, have lunch and explore the silk shops and historic Old Town of Hoi An. After dinner you are free to roam Hoi An.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoi An Trails
Day 8: (Monday, 18 August) – Hoi An to Da Nang
Early morning departure from Hoi An for sites within the Da Nang Tactical Area of Operations (TAOR) and cultural sites. We visit 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. We will then visit An Hoa Combat Base, site of Liberty Bridge, Dodge City area, and Hills 65, 37, and 55. Evening free to roam Da Nang.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Bamboo Green Central
Day 9: (Tuesday, 19 August) – Da Nang to Hue
After breakfast we depart for Hue along Highway 1 with stops 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. We pass through Lang Co and Phu Bai. On arrival in Hue we check into our hotel, have lunch and begin our tour of Hue. We retrace the movements of 1/1 and 2/5 during the Battle for Hue during February 1968. Evening free to roam Lei Loi Street.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 10: (Wednesday, 20 August) – 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. After lunch we tour the Citadel and the Forbidden City. Later in the afternoon we will retrace the movements of 1/5 during the Battle for Hue. Evening free for last minute shopping in Hue.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 11: (Thursday, 21 August) – Hue to Ha Noi
After breakfast we depart for Phu Bai Airport for flight to Ha Noi. On arrival in Ha Noi we begin our tour of the city visiting the fascinating War Museum, John McCain Monument, Hoa Loa Prison (Hanoi Hilton), the Presidential Palace and Ho Ch Minh’s House. If available we will visit JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) for a briefing. We will visit with 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. Evening free to roam the shopping district of Ha Noi.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Thang Long Opera
Day 12: (Friday, 22 August) – RETURN to CONUS
After breakfast, we transfer to Ha Noi’s Noi Bai Airfield for the flight to Taipei. Departing from Taipei, we gain a day enroute to the continental United States by re-crossing the International Dateline, arriving in Seattle at approximately 11:00 p.m. this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
