Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 30 - 31 March) – Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal by 8:30 p.m. and proceed to ticketing counter. Depart for Taipei and lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 3: (Tuesday, 01 April) – Ha Noi
After a short layover in Taipei, we depart for Vietnam. At Ha Noi's Noi Bai Airfield, we proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, clear customs, and board our motorcoach and cross the Red River and its dikes to explore the Ha Noi environs. We visit the fascinating War Museum, the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), and the John McCain Monument. This evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B (in flight) /L/D Hotel: May De Ville
Day 4: (Wednesday, 02 April) – Ha Noi to Hue
This morning we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Ho Chi Minh House, and the One Pillar Pagoda before heading to Noi Bai Airfield and catch our flight to Hue/Phu Bai Airfield. After lunch in Hue, we visit the Citadel, with its ramparts and towers. We visit the Imperial Palace and then visit the Forbidden City, home to the ancient emperors. We then check into our hotel on the southern bank of the Perfume River. Be sure to enjoy the hotel pool. 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, 03 April) – Hue
Today we head north on Highway 1 toward the DMZ. We pass through Quang Tri City and visit Long Hung Church, as we come into Dong Ha. At the Song Do Dieu we walk over the Dong Ha Bridge. We then turn west on Highway 9 to visit Khe Sanh Combat Base where we will spend ample time exploring. Next is the Lang Vei Special Forces Camp. We will return to Hue for the evening. (For those not wishing to make the whole day trip up to the DMZ, you will have a free day in Hue for exploring or shopping on your own. Lunch will be on your own.)
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 6: (Friday, 04 April) – Hue
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 will 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.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Day 7: (Saturday, 05 April) – Hue to Da Nang
Departing this morning we drive south on Highway 1. We stop at interesting sites along the way before heading up the Hai Van with a stop at the Pass to explore old French bunkers and take in a view of Da Nang and the bay. After lunch in Da Nang, we have a few hours available for client requested locations before checking into our hotel along the banks of the Han River. Dinner on our own tonight.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Green Plaza
Day 8: (Sunday, 06 April) – Da Nang
Today we will visit locations around the 95th Evac Hospital's former location. We will visit Monkey Mountain and then drive south along China Beach on the South China Sea as we pass through the MMAF (Marble Mountain Air Facility) area. We then visit a marble carving shop and climb Marble Mountain to explore the VC hospital area located within. We return to our hotel in Da Nang for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Green Plaza
Day 9: (Monday, 07 April) – Da Nang
Today is a free day for exploring the streets of Da Nang or lying by the pool. We can also use this day for client requested locations. Lunch and Dinner on our own.
Meals: B/_/_ Hotel: Green Plaza
Day 10: (Tuesday, 08 April) – Da Nang to Hoi An
Today we travel south on Highway 1 and then west to parallel the southern edge of Go Noi Island. We will make a special visit to the My Son Holyland located deep in the foothills of the Que Son Mountains. My Son is the site of Trakieu, the ancient capital of the Cham Kingdom and contains ruins dating back to the 5th Century. Upon entering the ancient port city of Hoi An (formerly known as Faifo) where Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese traders once walked, we will visit a silk factory and wood shop.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoi An Trails
Day 11: (Wednesday, 09 April) – Hoi An to Qui Nhon
Early this morning we head south on Highway 1. We will pass through Tam Ky, visit Chu Lai and My Lai (Pinkville) before making our way to Qui Nhon.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huang Anh Qui Nhon
Day 12: (Thursday, 10 April) – 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 (home of the 71st Evac Hospital) where we will spend the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huang Anh Giarai
Day 13: (Friday, 11 April) – Pleiku to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
This morning we drive north to Kontum and visit the Wooden Church and the Vinh Son Montagnard Orphanage. After lunch back in Pleiku, we will visit Camp Holloway before heading to the airport for out flight to HCMC. Arriving at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhut Airport we will retrieve our bags and depart the airport. As we leave 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 by most Vietnamese). We check into our hotel and have the rest of the evening free.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 14: (Saturday, 12 April) – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
This morning we will visit the Reunification Hall (the old Presidential Palace); and Norte Dame. We will pass by the former US Embassy which now houses the new US Consulate. The afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 15: (Sumday, 13 April) – Departure
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 3:30 p.m. this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
