Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday , 11 12 March) 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, 13 March) Ha Noi
After a short layover in Taipei, we depart for Vietnam. We arrive at Ha Nois Noi Bai Airfield (heavily bombed during the war), we proceed through immigration, retrieve bags, clear customs, board our motorcoach, and cross the Red River and its dikes to explore the Ha Noi environs. We visit the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton); the John McCain Monument; and the fascinating War Museum. Tonight we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Thang Long Opera
Day 4: (Wednesday, 14 March) Ha Noi to Hue
This morning we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh House, the One Pillar Pagoda, and mission permitting, we head to JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) for a command briefing on their efforts. Continuing on to Noi Bai Airfield, we catch our flight to Phu Bai Airfield. After a short ride in our motorcoach, we enter Hue (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam) and begin our study of the 1968 Tet Offensive battle for the southern 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, ARVN BOQ, Hue University, Treasury, Public Health Building, Provincial Capital Building area, and the Church of the Redemptress. We then arrive at our hotel on the southern bank of the Perfume River for a relaxing evening. After dinner, you can roam the fascinating shops on Le Loi Street until late at night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 5: (Thursday, 15 March) Hue
Today we take a relaxing Dragon Boat cruise up the beautiful Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Tu Duc Tombs. After lunch we visit the Citadel, with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to the northern battle, including the Chuck Meadows and Dong Ba Gates and Phase Line Green. We finish at the Imperial Palace gate blown by 1/5, which allowed the ARVN to enter and lower the NVA flag that had flown from the main flagpole for 24 days. We then visit the Forbidden City, home to the ancient emperors. To end our day, we drive to Eagle Beach on the South China Sea.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 6: (Friday, 16 March) Hue to Lao Bao
Leaving very early, we head north on Highway 1 with our first stop at Camp Evans. Arriving in Quang Tri City we visit Long Hung Church and Bo De School. Crossing the Thach Han River our next stop is Ai Tu Airfield. Continuing north we stop at the Dong Ha Bridge (destroyed by John Ripley which stopped the initial NVA advance during the 1972 Easter Offensive). Traveling to the DMZ, we walk across the Peace Bridge into North Vietnam over the Song Ben Hai, the river that was the only true physical demarcation between the North and South. Turning back into the South, our next stops are Con Thien and Cam Lo. We turn west on Route 9 and make stops at Camp Carroll and the Rockpile/Razorback before arriving at Khe Sanh Combat Base where we will spend ample time exploring. Next 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. Tonight we stay in the Laotian border town of Lao Bao in somewhat Spartan accommodations.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Sepon
Day 7: (Saturday, 17 March) Lao Bao to Hue
Departing early, we cross the Da Krong Bridge and plunge into the Da Krong Valley and later the A Shau Valley making stops in A Loui and at the A Shau Special Forces Camp. Turning east on old Route 547 we stop at FSB Bastogne and FSB Birmingham before returning to the comfort of our riverside hotel in Hue.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 8: (Sunday, 18 March) Hue to Hoi An
Our first stop this morning is Camp Eagle. Continuing south on Highway 1, reach the Phu Loc area and make a stop at a railroad site near Lang Co Lagoon. We then begin our drive up to the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Clouds) and stop to explore old French bunkers and take in a view of Da Nang and the bay. Descending the Hai Van to sea level, we stop at Red Beach II, where the Marines made their amphibious landing in May 1965. Passing through Dog Patch, we make our way to the location of the China Beach R&R Center. Next we visit Marble Mountain to explore this sanctuary and climb to the summit.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoi An Trails Resort & Spa
Day 9: (Monday, 19 March) Hoi An
Today is a free day. You can roam by yourselves the streets and shops of this ancient port city (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/_/_ Hotel: Hoi An Trails Resort & Spa
Day 10: (Tuesday, 20 March) Hoi An to Da Nang
This morning we enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then stop at a silk factory before leaving the city. After lunch in Da Nang, you are free to relax, explore, or prepare for tomorrows flight to Saigon. Tonight we are on our own to sample the many restaurants and night spots located in the city. Be sure to enjoy the rooftop pool.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Green Plaza
Day 11: (Wednesday, 21 March) Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Early this morning, we fly to Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese). After landing at Tan Son Nhut Airfield, we visit the War Remnants Museum, the old Presidential Palace (now called Reunification Hall), and the US Consulate area located at the former U.S. Embassy compound.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Liberty 4
Day 12: (Thursday, 22 March) Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Leaving early this morning, we venture northwest to Tay Ninh Province in time for the Noon Ceremony at the Cao Dai Holy See Temple. Next we visit Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain) and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Liberty 4
Day 13: (Friday, 23 March) 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: Liberty 4
Day 14: (Saturday, 24 March) Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Today is a free day devoted to shopping, exploring on your own, or for relaxing. You are your own for lunch, but all hands are required at our special Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B/_/D Hotel: Liberty 4
Day 15: (Sunday, 25 March) 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 3:10 p.m. this same day.
Meals: (in flight)
