Day 1 & 2: (Saturday - Sunday , 18 19 June) Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal. Depart Los Angeles on our flight to Taipei. We lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 3: (Monday, 20 June) Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
After a short layover in Taipei, we depart for Vietnam. We arrive at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport and proceed through immigration; retrieve our bags and clear customs. As we depart the airport, we will pass by the old MACV HQ and the U.S. Army's 3rd Field Hospital as we head into the center of the city (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese) to our hotel. After we freshen up we 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. This evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner
Meals: B (in flight) /L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 4: (Tuesday, 21 June) Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Today we will drive south on Highway 1, passing through Cholon (site of the citys fiercest fighting during the 1968 Tet Offensive) as we leave the city. Our first stop will be Ben Luc and the site of the old Naval base. Continuing on we pass through Tan An on our way to visit the town of My Tho in the Mekong Delta. We will take a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit Thoi Son Island, local houses, and workshops. We return to Saigon for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 5: (Wednesday, 22 June) Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
This morning we will head northwest to visit the Cu Chi Tunnel Complex. We will pass through the Iron Triangle and Hobo Woods along the way. Arriving in Tay Ninh Province, we will visit the Cao Dai Holy See Temple for the Noon Ceremony and view Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain) in the distance. After lunch we head back to Saigon for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 6: (Thursday, 23 June) Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
This morning we take a drive out to the northeast of Saigon to visit the town of Di An and then north to Lai Khe before returning to Saigon. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own and to rest up. Tomorrow we have a very early morning flight to Pleiku. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 7: (Friday, 24 June) Saigon to Qui Nhon
Early this morning we fly to Pleiku where we will have breakfast. After a short visit around Pleiku, we will head east on Highway 19 towards An Khe. Between Pleiku and An Khe we pass through Mang Yang Pass where the French Mobile Group 100 was ambushed and annihilated on June 24, 1954 (57 years ago on this day). Crossing the An Khe Bridge, we enter the city of An Khe and take time to explore. Continuing east we cross over An Khe Summit and head down through An Khe Pass on our way to the coastal town of Qui Nhon.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Saigon Quy Nhon
Day 8: (Saturday, 25 June) Qui Nhon to Hoi An
This morning we head north on Highway 1. Our first stop will be a Cham Temple just north of the city. Continuing north we pass by many US Military locations such as Phu Cat, LZ English, Nui Dau, Duc Pho, and the Operation Starlight area on our way to Chu Lai where we will have lunch on the beach. After lunch we continue north through Tam Ky. Finally, we check into our hotel in the ancient port city of Hoi An (formerly known as Faifo) where Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese traders once walked. Shopping is excellent here and one of the best places for tailor-made clothing.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoi An Trails Resort
Day 9: (Sunday, 26 June) Hoi An
This we travel west along the south side of the Tu Bon River. We pass Go Noi Island and Liberty Bridge (south side) before arriving at 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 return to Hoi An in the early afternoon.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoi An Trails Resort
Day 10: (Monday, 27 June) Hoi An to Da Nang
As we leave Hoi An, we visit a Silk Factory and wood-carving shop before heading north along the coast. Our first stop will be Marble Mountain where we will visit a marble carving shop and then climb Marble Mountain to explore the VC hospital area located deep within. Afterwards we drive through the old MMAF (Marble Mountain Air Facility). Our last stop is China Beach before checking into our hotel. Tonight we are on our own to sample the local restaurants in Da Nang.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Green Plaza
Day 11: (Tuesday, 28 June) Da Nang to Hue
This morning we head north on Highway 1 passing through Dog Patch, and stopping at Red Beach 2 (where the Marines first landed in 1965) and Nui Nam O. From here we head west to the foot of Ba Na Mountain where we will take a cable car ride to the top of the Ba Na - Suoi Mo Tourism Area. Returning to our bus, we make our way up the breathtaking Hai Van Pass (Pass of the "Sea Clouds"), stopping at the top to take in parting views of Da Nang Bay. About eight miles before entering Hue, we pass by Phu Bai Airfield and Camp Eagle. Once in Hue City, we visit the old MACV building, the old Hue University, and other sites related to the southern battle of the 1968 Tet Offensive Battle for Hue. After dinner, you can roam the fascinating shops on Le Loi Street until late at night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 12: (Wednesday, 29 June) Hue to Dong Ha
This morning we take a relaxing Dragon Boat cruise up the beautiful Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Tu Duc Tombs. We return to Hue for lunch before heading north on Highway 1 toward Dong Ha, stopping at sites along the way, such as Quang Tri City and the Ai Tu Airfield. We spend the night in Dong Ha.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huu Nghi
Day 13: (Thrusday, 30 June) Dong Ha to Lao Bao
This morning we walk across the Dong Ha Bridge and tell the story of John Ripley and the 1972 Easter Offensive. We next travel along the north bank of the Song Bo Dieu, passing the villages of Dai Do and Mai Xa Chanh and enter the village of My Loc. Continuing north on the new coastal road, we cross over the Song Ben Hai (the river that was the only true physical demarcation between North and South Vietnam) to the NVA artillery village of Vinh Moc to explore its intricate maze of tunnels. We return south on the coastal road and head west on Route 9, where we will pass Camp Carroll, the Marine artillery plateau; the Rockpile, and other significant sites along the way as we make our way to the Khe Sanh Combat Base where we spend ample time exploring. Our next stop is 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. Finally, we arrive at the Laotian border village of Lao Bao where we spend the night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Sepon
Day 14: (Friday, 1 July) Lao Bao to Hue
After breakfast, we stop at the Da Krong Bridge for photos and visit a Bru motagnard village. We then head back to Hue via Route 9 and Highway 1. Arriving back in Hue, we visit the Citadel, with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to the northern battle. We finish at the Imperial Palace and the Forbidden City, home to the ancient emperors. The afternoon at your leisure. Tonight all hands gather for our very special Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 15: (Saturday, 2 July) Hue to Ha Noi
After breakfast, we head to Hue/Phu Bai Airfield for our early flight to Ha Noi. We arrive at Noi Bai Airport, 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 Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), and the John McCain Monument. Before dinner tonight, we have been invited to the Marine House, home of the Marine Security Guard responsible for the protection of the U. S. Ambassador and the Embassy.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: May De Ville
Day 16: (Sunday, 3 July) Ha Noi to CONUS
For those opting for one of our fabulous post tours, your day begins as we bid our new friends a happy journey home. After breakfast, those heading home transfer to 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 Los Angeles at approximately 2:05 p.m. this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
