Day 1: (Tuesday - Wednesday, 13 - 14 May, 2025) – Houston to Taipei

Report to Houston International Terminal and proceed to the EVA Airlines ticketing counter for flight BR-51.  Depart for Taipei and lose one day crossing the International Dateline.

Meals: D/B (in flight)

Day 3: (Thursday, 15 May, 2025) – Taipei to Ha Noi

After a short layover in Taipei where we endure the Big Speech, we depart for Vietnam.  We land at Noi Bai Airfield (heavily bombed during the American War) and proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, clear customs, and board our waiting motorcoach.  We then 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: L (in flight) /D

Day 4: (Friday, 16 May, 2025) – Ha Noi to Ha Long

Very early this morning we depart Hanoi for Ha Long City.  On arrival, embark on a deluxe Bhaya Classic junk for overnight cruising on picturesque Ha Long Bay.  This World Heritage Site is a spectacular seascape sculpted by nature.  Our junk meanders between 2,000 majestic monoliths erupting from the sea.  We fall asleep to hypnotic nautical night sounds in the comfort of our staterooms.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 5: (Saturday, 17 May, 2025) – Ha Long to Ha Noi

Docking at noon, we disembark and make a stop at Son Tay, after which we return to Ha Noi.  The balance of our day is at leisure and dinner is on our own.

Meals: B/L/_

Day 6: (Sunday, 18 May, 2025) – Ha Noi to Hoi An

Very early this morning, we head back to Noi Bai to catch our flight to Chu Lai Airfield on Vietnam Airlines flight VN-1641 at 07:10.  Upon landing, we motor to My Lai (4), location of the infamous massacre in 1968.  We then venture to the site of Operation Starlite.  Our last stops are Chu Lai Base where we visit the Airfield, Crescent Beach, and Ky Ha.  We enjoy a late lunch at Linda's on the beach.  Soon thereafter, we arrive in Hoi An.  Hoi An, a beautiful well-preserved ancient trading port, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Its temples and architecture show the different cultural influences of its time and its lovely Japanese covered bridge is unique to this town.  Luckily for Hoi An, its importance waned long before our war, and it was left essentially isolated and relatively untouched.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 7: (Monday, 19 May, 2025) – Hoi An

Today is a well-deserved free day.  You can relax by the pool or you may want to 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.  The town ceased to be an important trade harbor when its inlet shoaled and the port was moved north to Da Nang.  Shopping is excellent here and is one of the best places for tailor-made clothing.  There are literally hundreds of amazing little shops for your shopping pleasure.  Lunch and dinner are on our own.  Be sure to sample some of the many local restaurants and night spots in this fascinating little city.

Meals: B/_/_

Day 8: (Tuesday, 20 May, 2025) – Hoi An to Dong Ha

Once again, we are up early.  We head up the beach road to visit the Marble Mountain area.  This area is famous for their stone-sculpture industries.  The Marble Mountains are visually-striking monoliths that rise from the flat coastal plain and are home to Buddhist shrines and numerous caves.  We climb to the top of the largest mountain and explore the VC hospital area located deep within.  A little farther north we pass through the site of the Marble Mountain Air Facility, a U.S. helicopter base during the war.  We make a quick photo stop at My Khe Beach on the South China Sea.  My Khe was better known as "China Beach" which was used as an in-country 'R&R' by U.S. troops.  Our next stop is Red Beach II (where U.S. Marines made their first amphibious landing in March 1965).  Heading north on Highway 1, we make our way up the breathtaking Hai Van Pass (Pass of the "High Clouds"), stopping at the top to take in a parting view of Da Nang and her Bay.  Hai Van Pass has been a vital military strategic foothold for centuries, and was garrisoned by Chinese, French, Japanese, and U.S. armies.  Bunkers and fortifications dot the hillsides.  At the northern end of the Pass, we stop for photos at the fishing village of Lang Co.  Continuing north, we pass by Dam Cau Hai, one of the largest lagoons in all of Southeast Asia encompassing 112 square kilometers.  Reaching Phu Bai Airfield, we stop for photos.  Passing through Hue City, we venture farther north and come upon the My Chanh Bridge.  It was here that the ARVN held the line against invading NVA forces during the 1972 Easter Offensive and from which they launched their counterattack to drive Ho's forces back toward the DMZ.  North of here is the section of Highway 1 known as the 'Highway of Horror'.  During the NVA's 1972 Easter Offensive, thousands of local refugees - most of which were old people, women, and children trying to flee south - were mercilessly slaughtered by communist NVA troops and artillery.  The north side of the bridge is where the worst of the massacre occurred.  Massive numbers of people were trapped because the downed bridge prevented escape.  Soon thereafter we enter Quang Tri City where we stop at Long Hung Church, a Catholic Church in which ARVN troops sought refuge during the 1972 Easter Offensive invasion from the North and in which NVA troops sought refuge as they retreated during the ARVN counter-attack.  The church has been left as it stood after the battle, with scars from grenades, rockets, and bullets. We also visit Bo De School, which provides a shocking and violent reality of the 'Battle of 81 Days and Nights' for the city and its Citadel.  The battle is infamous for the huge amount of ordnance fired by both ARVN and NVA forces.  We then cross the Quang Tri Bridge and pass by the Ai Tu Airfield (Quang Tri Airbase).  After lunch in Dong Ha, we continue north to Gio Linh FSB (Forward) aka Alpha-2 which overlooks the DMZ from the Republic side.  We then drive through the southern DMZ and stop at the Hien Luong Bridge (better known as the Peace Bridge), walking over the Song Ben Hai (this river was the only true physical demarcation between the North and the South).  Now in North Vietnam, we explore the tunnel complex in the artillery village of Vinh Moc.  The Vinh Moc Tunnels are an incredible complex of tunnels that were dug by local people to evade the constant US counter-battery bombing of the area.  The tunnels include kitchens, wells, and a 'hospital,' as well as living quarters for roughly 60 families.  The tunnels, which are at a depth of 30m saved many villagers lives and are still in very good condition.  Upon our return to Dong Ha, we walk the Dong Ha Bridge (destroyed by Capt. John Ripley which stopped the initial NVA advance during the 1972 Easter Offensive) over the Song Bo Dieu.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 9: (Wednesday, 21 May, 2025) – Dong Ha to Hue

Leaving very early we head inland.  Vietnam is a very long, thin country, and we traverse it today from the coast almost all the way to its border with Laos.  We visit the U.S. base at Con Thien (the Hill of Angels), after which we stop for photos at the Cam Lo Bridge.  Turning west on Route 9 we point out places of military importance during the war, including the Khe Gia Bridge, the Rockpile, Vandergrift Combat Base (LZ Stud), Ca Lu, and the Hairpin.  Lunch will be in Khe Sanh Village prior to entering Khe Sanh Combat Base where we spend ample time exploring.  Originally, the Khe Sanh base was a U.S. jungle outpost close to the border with Laos.  The area grew into a major military base and airstrip under LBJ and was the scene of a 77-day siege in 1968, as well as many vicious hill battles in 1967-68.  We then stop at Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, overrun in the first-ever NVA tank assault.  Co Roc Mountain soars to the heavens just across the border.  On our way back we stop at Camp Carroll (the joint-forces artillery plateau).  We also stop at the Lew Puller School in Dong Ha before motoring to Hue (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam).  Here we stop for the night.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 10: (Thursday, 22 May, 2025) – Hue

Today we begin our study of the 1968 Tet Offensive battle for the southern city.  The Battle of Hue (1968) was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the war, and we spend the remainder of the day visiting strategic sites around the city.  We follow the actions of 1/1 and 2/5, covering, among others, the old Shell Gas Station, the Football Stadium, the former MACV Compound, Tran Cao Van Street, Joan of Arc Girl's High School, Hue University, Treasury, Public Health Building, Provincial Capital Building area, and the Church of the Redemptress.  Famous for its university, this town, known for open and radical thinking, is also home to the high school that graduated Ho Chi Minh, General Giap, and President Diem.  We then enjoy a relaxing Dragon Boat cruise up the beautiful Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda.  It was from this pagoda that in 1963 Monk Thich Quang Duc was driven to Saigon where he immolated himself in protest to the SVN government's oppressive treatment of the Buddhist people.  After lunch, we enter the Citadel with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to the northern battle, including the Chuck Meadows and Dong Ba Gates.  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.  Our battle study complete, we take some time to visit the Forbidden City, home to the ancient emperors.  Heading back to the hotel across the new bridge, we point out the Circle Sportif Club.  Tonight, dinner is on our own.  You may want to grab a pizza or a burger at the DMZ Bar, just a short walk from our hotel.

Meals: B/L/_

Day 11: (Friday, 23 May, 2025) – Hue to Ho Chi Minh City

Very early this morning we fly from Phu Bai Airfield to Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhut Airport on Vietnam Airlines flight VN-1369 at 08:00.  Tan Son Nhut was once the busiest airport in the world.  Departing the airport, we head into the center of the city (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese) and visit the War Remnants Museum; Reunification Hall (Old Presidential Palace); Norte Dame Cathedral; and the Old Post Office.  We also drive past the former U.S. Embassy area which now houses the new U.S. Consulate.  After lunch, we stop at Cha Tam Church where South Vietnam President Diem had fled and disguised himself as a priest during the 1963 coup.  It was from this place that Diem was captured, taken away, and murdered.  Twenty days later, U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  Some claim the two deaths were related.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 12: (Saturday, 24 May, 2025) – Ho Chi Minh City

We rise early and head to Tay Ninh Province to visit the Cao Dai Holy See Temple and observe the Noon Ceremony.  Simply stated, the Cao Dai covers all bases.  Among their deities of worship are Christ, Buddha, and Confucius.  Some minor saints are Sun Yat-Sen, Joan of Arc, and for some reason, Victor Hugo.  After lunch, we explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground labyrinth of some 75-miles combined.  At least 43,000 enemy soldiers died defending this strategic maze of tunnels which contained supply depots, arms caches, training facilities, hospitals, and troop accommodations.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 13: (Sunday, 25 May, 2025) – Ho Chi Minh City

This morning we travel south to the town of My Tho in the Mekong Delta where we take a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit Unicorn and Coconut Islands, local houses, and workshops.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 14: (Monday, 26 May, 2025) – Ho Chi Minh City

Today, our last full day in Vietnam, is a free day.  You can take a walk to Ben Thanh Market or stroll along old Tu Do Street (now Dong Khoi Street) to explore a myriad of little shops where you can discover special gifts to bring home.  Another great place to shop is the Old Post Office we visited a few days before.  Or simply sit and watch the world go by from one of the city's many cafĂ©s.  Lunch is on our own, but tonight all hands are required at our very special Farewell Dinner.

Meals: B/_/D

Day 15: (Tuesday, 27 May, 2025) – Ho Chi Minh City to Taipei to CONUS

After breakfast, we transfer to Tan Son Nhut Airfield for our EVA Airlines flight BR-392 to Taipei.  At Taipei, we board our EVA Airlines flight BR-52.  Departing from Taipei we gain a day enroute to the continental United States by re-crossing the International Dateline, arriving in Houston this same day.

Meals: B/L/D/D (in flight)

Tour Price: $5,195.00 / Per Person is based upon Double Occupancy (2 people per room)
Single Supplement is $598.00

Ground Only Price: $4,195.00 / Per Person is also based upon Double Occupancy (2 people per room)
Single Supplement is $598.00

Tour Price Includes:

1. International roundtrip airfare from our Houston, Texas gateway. (This tour only)    Alternative Gateways
   • Ground Only Tours - International roundtrip airfare is not included.
2. Air-conditioned motorcoach transportation.
3. Vietnam airfare.
4. Vietnam Visa Processing and fees.
   • Ground Only Tours - Vietnam Visa Processing and fees may or may not be included.
5. Hotel Accommodations throughout tour.
6. Virtually all meals, as indicated in itinerary.
7. Historical Trip information packet, containing maps and other information pertaining to your tour.
8. Admission fees to all sites, museums and special attractions listed.
9. Services of our experienced Directors & English--speaking local guides.
10. Gratuities (NOTE: VBT American guides are prohibited from accepting tips.)
11. Bulk-baggage handling.