Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 2 - 3 September) – Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal by 8:00 p.m. and proceed to ticketing counter. Depart Los Angeles on our flight to Taipei. Lose one day crossing the International Dateline..
Day 3: (Tuesday, 4 September) – 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; 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: (Wednesday, 5 September) – Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh
This morning we visit 1/8th CAV sites in Phuoc Vinh, Quan Loi, Song Be, and Bo Duc. We then head back south on Thunder Road and then turn west, traveling past the Michelin Rubber Plantations before arriving in Tay Ninh where we will spend the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoa Binh
Day 5: (Thursday, 6 September) – Tay Ninh to Ho Chi Minh City
This morning we visit the Cao Dai Holy See (Temple) before leaving Tay Ninh. 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. Overnight in Saigon.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 6: (Friday, 7 September) – Ho Chi Minh City
Today we drive south on Highway 1 to the Cholon District where we will visit the Cha Cham Church before leaving the city. Continuing south 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 7: (Saturday, 8 September) – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Today is a free day in Saigon 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.
Meals: B/_/_ Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 8: (Sunday, 9 September) – Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau
This morning we travel northeast on Highway 1 to Long Binh. We will visit sites around Long Binh and Bien Hoa. From here we continue east to Xuan Loc and then turn south to the resort towns of Long Hai and Vung Tau.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Petro
Day 9: (Monday, 10 September) – Vung Tau
We will explore the Airfield (Aussie site), Lighthouse Mountain, Black Beach, and the Statue of Jesus. If you choose, it can be free for sightseeing, relaxing on the beach or a round of golf.
Meals: B/_/D Hotel: Petro
Day 10: (Tuesday, 11 September) – Vung Tau to Phan Thiet
This morning we head north on the coast to La Gi and Phan Thiet (home of HQ 3rd/506th Inf, 101st Abn). We will visit the Phan Thiet Compound, LZ Betty, and the Phan Thiet Air Base.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: The Beach
Day 11: (Wednesday, 12 September) – Phan Thiet to Nha Trang
After breakfast, we head north along the coast highway to see the Sand Dunes of Mui Ne. From here we head north to catch Highway 1A. We contiune north to Phan Rang, Cam Ranh Bay, and into Nha Trang. If possible, we will stop in Cam Ranh and visit the site of the 6th Convalescent Hospital, the 14th Aerial Port, and the 22nd Replacement Battalion.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: The Lignt
Day 12: (Thursday, 13 September) – Nha Trang
After breakfast, will take a boat trip around Hòn Mieu Island and to the Trí Nguyên Aquarium. Later, we can visit the site of the MACV Recondo/Ranger School, the 5th SP HQ, White Budda, and the Port Facilities.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: The Lignt
Day 13: (Friday, 14 September) – Nha Trang to Ha Noi
This morning is free for some last minute exploration around Nha Thang. After lunch we have a 1:50 p.m. flight to Ha Noi arriving at 3:35 p.m.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Thang Long Opera
Day 14: (Saturday, 15 September) – Ha Noi
Halong Bay – This morning we will leave the hotel around 08:00 for a 3 - 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay. We will take a 5 hour long boat ride on Halong Bay and be back at the hotel around 20:00. For those not going to Halong Bay, today is a free day to explore Ha Noi on your own, or for some last minute shopping.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Thang Long Opera
Day 15: (Sunday, 16 September) – Departure
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 2:30 p.m. this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
