Day 1: (Monday, 5 Septembere) Enroute
Group 1 - Report to Los Angeles International Terminal by 8:00 a.m. and proceed to ticketing counter.
Group 2 - Report to Washington Dulles International Terminal by 8:00 a.m. and proceed to ticketing counter.
Both groups depart for Incheon, Korea and lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 2: (Tuesday, 6 September) Inchon to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
After a short layover in Incheon, Korea, both groups depart for Vietnam. Landing at Saigons Tan Son Nhut Airfield at 10:20 p.m., we proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, clear customs, and board our motorcoach for a short ride to our hotel.
Meals: (in flight) /L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 3: (Wednesday, 7 September) Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
This morning we drive out to Long Binh to visit the site of the 24th Evac Hospital. Upon returning to Saigon we will cover the 1968 Tet Offensive Battle in Saigon. After lunch, the afternoon is free relax or take a walk along old Tu Do Street (now Dong Khoi Street) to explore the fascinating little shops where you can discover special gifts to bring home. This evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 4: (Thursday, 8 September) Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
After a leisurely breakfast, our first stop today is Cha Tam Church where President Diem had fled and disguised himself as a priest during the coup. It was from this place that Diem was captured, taken away, and murdered. We then visit the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Hall (the former Independence Palace), the former US Embassy (now our consulate), Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Ben Thanh Market. Dinner on your own
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 5: (Friday, 9 September) Saigon to Tay Ninh to Saigon
This morning we will head northwest to visit sites in and around Tay Ninh Province which will include the Cao Dai Holy See (Temple) for the Noon Ceremony and Ba Den Mountain (Black Virgin Mountain) in the distance. After visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, we pass through the Iron Triangle and Hobo Woods on our way to visit the 12th Evac Hospital area before returning to HCMC.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 6: (Saturday, 10 September) Saigon to Linh Long
Today we travel south to the Ben Luc Bridge and then on to Ap Bac and explore this 1967 battle site. From here we travel to Binh Phuoc, Dong Tam and My Tho where we board a boat for an excursion on the Mekong River, stopping to visit local houses, shopping areas, and the Vinh Trang Pagoda. We continue southwest Vinh Long where we will spend the night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Cuu Long Hotel
Day 7: (Sunday, 11 September) Linh Long to Plain of Reeds
Leaving early, we travel northeast to Bong Thap Province to visit the Plain of Reeds (Tran Chim National Park). We will over night in Cao Lanh.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Song Tra
Day 8: (Monday, 12 September) Cao Lanh to Ha Tien
Today we pass through massive rice fields north of Rach Gia on the Gulf of Thailand. We continue almost to the Cambodian border to Ha Tien where we check into our hotel.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Saigon Ha Ti
Day 9: (Tuesday, 13 September) Ha Tien to Cau Mau
This morning we drive south to Cau Mau near the southern tip of Vietnam. We will pass through Rach Gai and later we will pass by the U Minh Forest before arriving in Cau Mau for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Anh Nguyet Hotel
Day 10: (Wednesday, 14 September) Cau Mau
Today we explore the U Minh Forest which includes some transport by boat.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Anh Nguyet Hotel
Day 11: (Thursday, 15 September) Cau Mau to Can Tho
We depart Cau Mau and travel to Soc Trang Airfield (originally a Japanese fighter base). The first US unit here was a USMC helicopter squadron. We continue to Can Tho, HQ site for all operations in IV-Corps.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Golf Can Tho
Day 12: (Friday, 16 September) Can Tho to Saigon to Vung Tau
This morning we are up early to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market before we return to Saigon. Upon return to Saigon, we board a Hydrofoil boat to Vung Tau where we spend the evening. Dinner on your own.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Petro Vung Tau
Day 13: (Saturday, 17 September) Vung Tau to Saigon
This morning we return by hydrofoil boat to Saigon. Dinner on your own tonight.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 14: (Sunday, 18 September) Saigon
Today is day free to explore the city on your own or for some last minute shopping. Tonight all hands gather for a very special Farewell Dinner. We have a late check out of the hotel today. This evening we transfer to Tan Son Nhut Airfield for our 11:50 p.m. flight to Incheon.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 15: (Monday, 19 September) Inchon to CONUS
Arriving in Incheon at 06:50 a.m., we will gain a day enroute to the continental United States by re-crossing the International Dateline.
Group 1 departs Incheon at 11:10 a.m. and arrives at Los Angeles International Airport at 9:15 a.m. this same day.
Group 2 departs Incheon at 10:40 a.m. and arrives at Washington Dulles International Airport at 11:25 a.m. this same day.
Meals: (in flight)
