Day 1: (Saturday, 16 February) – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Arrive at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhut Airport at 10:55 a.m. from Singapore. We then proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, and clear customs. As we depart the airport, we will pass by the old MACV HQ and the U.S. Army's 3rd Field Hospital and head into the center of the city (still called Saigon). After lunch, we will visit the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Reunification Palace and drive by the American Consulate (American Embassy during the war). This evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B (in flight) /L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby 2
Day 2: (Sunday, 17 February) – Ho Chi Minh City (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 lunch in Tay Ninh, we will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels complex. We pass close to the Iron Triangle and through Hobo Woods on our way back to Saigon.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby 2
Day 3: (Monday, 18 February) – HCMC to Da Nang
We have an early morning flight from HCMC to Da Nang arriving at 08:40 a.m. On arrival we will visit Monkey Mountain, My Khe Beach (China Beach) and Marble Mountain. If time permits, proceed to Hoi An for afternoon/evening sightseeing and shopping. Return to Da Nang for evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Bamboo Green Harbourside
Day 4: (Tuesday, 19 February) – Da Nang
This morning we travel to My Son Holy Land. My Son is the site of Trakieu, the ancient capital of the Cham Kingdom and contains ruins dating back to the 5th Century. We will visit Hill 119 if weather/conditions permit and the south end of Liberty Bridge. Time permitting, travel to Hill 65 for an overview of the Arizona Territory west of Da Nang.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Bamboo Green Harbourside
Day 5: (Wednesday, 20 February) – Da Nang to Hue
Departing early this morning, we pass through Dog Patch as we depart Da Nang City. We make visits to Red Beach 2 before heading up the Hai Van with a stop at the Pass to explore old French bunkers and take in a parting view of Da Nang and the bay. Continuing down the Hai Van, we make several interesting stops along the way north before reaching Hue (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam) we retrace the steps of the 1st and 5th Marines during the battle of the Tet Offensive of 1968. 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.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang Hotel
Day 6: (Thursday, 21 February) – Hue
Departing very early, we head north along Highway 1 to Dong Ha and then west on Route 9. Turning north from Cam Lo, our first stop will be the Cam Lo Bridge. From here we return to Route 9 and visit Camp Carroll, the Marine artillery plateau. We continue on to the Rockpile and the Razorback. Along the way we will come upon other sites that were of military importance during the war, including the Khe Gia Bridge, Vandergrift Combat Base (LZ Stud), and Ca Lu. After lunch in Khe Sanh village, we head north to the Khe Sanh Combat Base where we will spend ample time exploring. We then visit a Bru Villagebefore returning to Hue for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang Hotel
Day 7: (Friday, 22 February) – Hue to Ha Noi
We have an early morning flight from Hue to Ha Noi arriving at 10:30 a.m. Upon arrival we will board our motorcoach and cross the Red River and its dikes to explore the Ha Noi environs. We will visit the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), the John McCain Monument and the Ha Noi Citadel. We also have a Cultural visit with students from a Ha Noi High School.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Skylark Hotel
Day 8: (Saturday, 23 February) – Departure
After breakfast we head over to JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) for a command briefing on their efforts (mission permitting). From there we transfer to Noi Bai Airfield for the flight to Singapore.
Meals: B/L/_ (in flight)
