Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday , 12 – 13 February) – Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal by 8:30 p.m. and proceed to ticketing counter. Depart Los Angeles on our flight to Taipei. We lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 3: (Tuesday, 14 February) – 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 Nhut Airport and proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, and clear customs. As we depart the airport, we will pass by the old MACV HQ, the U.S. Army's 3rd Field Hospital and head into the center of the city (still called Saigon) to our hotel. After we freshen up, we begin our tour of Saigon visiting the War Remnants Museum; 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/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 4: (Wednesday, 15 February) – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Today we visit the Cha Cham Church in Cholon before heading south on Highway 1. We pass through Tan An on our way to 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: (Thursday, 16 February) – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
This morning we drive to Bien Hoa to visit the location of Lassiter Heliport. Returning to Saigon, the rest of the day is free to explore on your own, play a round of golf or visit shopping areas along old Tu Do Street (now Dong Khoi Street) and other shopping areas. Lunch and Dinner on your own.
Meals: B/_/_ Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 6: (Friday, 17 February) – Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh
This morning we are up early and heading north-west on Highway 13. We pass close to the Iron Triangle as we arrive in Ben Cat. Just north of Ben Cat is Lai Khe and the southern end of Thunder Road. Heading north on Thunder Road we continue on to An Loc and Loc Ninh (the northern end of Thunder Road). We will head back south on Thunder Road and then turn west on Highway TL-751 to visit a helicopter crash site. From here we travel south through the Michellen Rubber Plantations and through Dau Tieng before arriving in Tay Ninh where we will spend the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Dong Phunog
Day 7: (Saturday, 18 February) – Tay Ninh to Ho Chi Minh City
This morning we drive past the old Tay Ninh City Airport on our way to the village of Ap Cha Do. Along the way we will pass close to Nui Ba Den Mountain (Black Virgin Mountain). We return to Tay Ninh and visit the Cao Dai Holy See (Temple). Leaving Tay Ninh we continue on to Trang Bang and into the Operation Cedar Falls area. We then visit the Cu Chi Tunnel Complex. We will pass through the Iron Triangle, Hobo Woods and the Filhol Rubber Plantation on our way back to Saigon.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 8: (Sunday, 19 February) – Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau
This morning we take a Hydrofoil boat ride to Vung Tau the beautiful coastline city and the in-country R&R site many remember. Once we arrive in Vung Tau, we will take a short city tour. Afterwards you will have the rest of the afternoon to explore on your own.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Petro
Day 9: (Monday, 20 February) – Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat
This morning we return to Ho Chi Minh City via Hydrofoil boat for our afternoon flight to Dalat.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoang Anh Dalat
Day 10: (Tuesday, 21 February) – Dalat to Nha Trang
This morning we will do some local sightseening around Dalat. After lunch we drive downhill towards the coastal city of Nha Trang. Dinner on your own tonight.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Nha Trang Lodge
Day 11: (Wednesday, 22 February) – Nha Trang
Today is a free day in Nha Trang to explore on your own. Lunch and Dinner on your own.
Meals: B/_/_ Hotel: Nha Trang Lodge
Day 12: (Thursday, 23 February) – Nha Trang to Qui Nhon
After breakfast, we drive north to Qui Nhon. Along the way, we pass Tuy Hoa Airbase and visit several Cham ruins (the Cham people ruled what is today's Vietnam from the 3rd to the 15th Centuries) and other interesting sites.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huang Anh Qui Nhon
Day 13: (Friday, 24 February) – Qui Nhon to Pleiku
This morning we head west on Highway 19 towards An Khe. We drive uphill through the An Khe Pass and over the An Khe Summit before arriving in An Khe where we will have lunch. As we leave town we cross over the An Khe Bridge. Continuing west we pass through the Mang Yang Pass where the French Mobile Group 100 was ambushed and annihilated on June 24, 1954. We finally arrive in Pleiku where we will spend the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huang Anh Giarai
Day 14: (Saturday, 25 February) – Pleiku to Ho Chi Minh City
This morning we travel north on Highway 14 to Kontum. Kontum was one of the major objectives of the 3-prong 1972 Easter Offensive attacks by the NVA (DMZ in I-Corps; Kontum in II-Corps; and An Loc in III-Corps). We return to Pleiku for our evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 15: (Sunday, 26 February) – Ho Chi Minh City to CONUS
After breakfast, we transfer to Tan Son Nhut Airport 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 2:00 p.m. this same day.
Meals: (in flight)
