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 to Can Tho
Today we travel south and explore 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 to Vinh Long and Can Tho where we will spend the night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Ninh Kieu 2
Day 7: (Saturday, 8 September) – Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City
Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a free afternoon and evening with dinner on your own.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 8: (Sunday, 9 September) – Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang
Early morning flight (05:55) to Qui Nhon. On arrival we travel north on Highway 1 to LZ English traveling through the Bong Son Plain then on to My Lai. After visiting My Lai we travel north along the coast road to Chu Lai and have lunch at Crescent Beach. After lunch we visit the old Chu Lai Air Base, Hill 43 and travel north along Highway 1 to Da Nang stopping at Marble Mountain and China Beach before arriving at our hotel in Da Nang. Overnight in Da Nang.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Green Plaza
Day 9: (Monday, 10 September) – Da Nang to Hue
Departing early we make stops at Red Beach 2 and Nam O Bridge, before heading up to the Hai Van Pass where we stop to explore the old French bunkers and take in a parting view of Da Nang and the bay. Continuing north on Highway 1 we make several stops along the way before reaching Hue. On arrival in Hue we have lunch and check into our hotel. In the afternoon we retrace the Battle for Hue during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 10: (Tuesday, 11 September) – Hue to Dong Ha
This morning we take a relaxing cruise up the beautiful Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Tu Duc Tombs. After lunch we head north on Highway One toward Dong Ha, stopping at sites along the way. We check into our hotel and have dinner. Overnight in Dong Ha.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Saigon Dong Ha
Day 11: (Wednesday, 12 September) – Dong Ha - DMZ to Hue
Early morning departure north on Highway 1 to Gio Linh, crossing the Sone Ben Hai at the Peace Bridge we visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels in old North Vietnam. Retracing our route we travel south and then west to Con Thien, Cam Lo, The Rockpile, LZ Stud, Khe Sanh and the SF Camp at Lang Vei. We return to Hue in the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 12: (Thursday, 13 September) – Hue
Full free day in Hue to explore shop and relax or in the morning visit to the Citadel and The Forbidden City with the afternoon free. Dinner on your own.
Meals: B/_/_ Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 13: (Friday, 14 September) – Hue to Ha Noi
We depart Hue this morning for Ha Noi. Arriving at Ha Noi's Noi Bai Airfield, we cross the Red River and its dikes to explore the Ha Noi environs. We visit the Ho Chi Minh House and the One Pillar Pagoda. After lunch we visit the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) and the John McCain Monument. This evening we enjoy a visit to the Marine House, home of the U.S. Marine Corps Security Guard responsible for the protection of the U.S. Ambassador and the American Embassy.
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)
