Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 8 - 9 March) – Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal by 6:30pm and proceed to ticketing counter. Depart for Hong Kong and lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 3: (Tuesday, 10 March) – Hanoi
After a short layover in Hong Kong, we depart for Vietnam. At Hanoi'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 Hanoi environs. We visit the Ho Chi Minh House, the One Pillar Pagoda, the fascinating War Museum, the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), and the John McCain Memorial. This evening we enjoy a visit (mission permitting) 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 . Afterwards we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B (in flight) /L/D
Day 4: (Wednesday, 11 March) – Hanoi to Hue
On the way to the airport we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Continuing on to Noi Bai Airfield, we catch our flight to Phu Bai Airfield. We transfer to our hotel on the southern bank of the Perfume River in Hue (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam) for a relaxing evening. 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
Day 5: (Thursday, 12 March) – Hue
Today is devoted to the study of the 1968 Tet Offensive battles for Hue. We will first walk the southern battle. 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. After lunch we visit the Citadel, with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to the northern battle, including the Chuck Meadows and Dong Ba Gates and the phase lines. 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. We then visit the Forbidden City, home to the ancient emperors.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 6: (Friday, 13 March) – 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, such as Quang Tri City, the Ai Tu Airfield, and the Lew Puller School.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 7: (Saturday, 14 March) – Dong Ha
Today we explore Leatherneck Square, including the Cam Lo Bridge, Con Thien (the Hill of Angels), Gio Linh FSB Forward (Alpha 2), and the Bridge at Dong Ha(destroyed by John Ripley which stopped the initial NVA advance during the 1972 Easter Offensive). We will also visit the Peace Bridge over the Song Ben Hai, the river that was the only true physical demarcation between the North and South.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 8: (Sunday, 15 March) – Dong Ha to Khe Sanh
After breakfast we head west on Route 9. Our first stop is Camp Carroll, the Marine artillery plateau. We continue on to the Rockpile for a short hike to the Razorback. Along the way we will come upon other sites that were of military importance during the war, including the Four Gates to Hell, the Khe Gia Bridge, Vandergrift Combat Base (LZ Stud), Ca Lu, the Da Krong Bridge, and the Hairpin. As we enter Khe Sanh village, we head north to the Khe Sanh Combat Base where we will spend ample time exploring this famous Marine Corps base. Our next stop is the Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, overrun in the first ever NVA tank assault. Co Roc Mountain soars to the heavens just across the border. Finally, we arrive at the Laotian border where we spend the night.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 9: (Monday, 16 March) – Khe Sanh to Hue
Those not wishing to make the arduous trek up to Hill 881 South will board our motorcoach for a relaxing free day in Hue City after we visit a Montagnard village, which is the jump off point for our climb. Those of you returning to Hue are on your own for lunch and dinner. For those hardy individuals who will make the climb, we gear up with plenty of water and provisions. We take our time, traversing two mountains and streams, before arriving at the summit of Hill 881-S with its spectacular views of Hill 881 North and the surrounding countryside. Taking ample time for careful exploration, we remember the Marines, Corpsmen, and helicopter crews who braved the extreme dangers of this essential FSB and outpost. Coming off the mountains, we are met by our motorcoach with cold drinks. After stopping for dinner, we are reunited with our group in Hue.
Meals: B/_/_ or B/L/D
Day 10: (Tuesday, 17 March) – Hue to Da Nang
Departing very early this morning we drive south on Highway One. 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. Continuing down the Hai Van, we visit Nam O Bridge and Red Beach II. We then turn west and drive to the former Recon radio relay base and old French Resort area high atop Ba Na Mountain for exploration and lunch. Finally, we pass through Dog Patch as we enter Da Nang City. After checking into our hotel, we visit a marble carving shop and climb Marble Mountain to explore the VC hospital area located deep within. Afterwards, we visit MMAF (Marble Mountain Air Facility) and China Beach on the South China Sea. Tonight we are on our own to sample the local restaurants and night spots offered in the Da Nang area.
Meals: B/L/_
Day 11: (Wednesday, 18 March) – Da Nang
Another early morning departure brings us to Camp Reasoner at Hill 327. We then stop at the KIA site of Lt. Frank Reasoner (Medal of Honor) for a short memorial service. After stopping at Hill 55 and Liberty Bridge (north) at Dai Loc, we then turn east along Thunder Road to Highway One and cross to the south side of the Tu Bon River. We follow parallel to the southern edge of Go Noi Island west, until we arrive for a trek up to the Recon outpost on Hill 119. Our next stops are Liberty Bridge (south), An Hoa Regimental Combat Base, and 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. Again, we are on our own for dinner.
Meals: B/L/_
Day 12: (Thursday, 19 March) – Da Nang
Today is a free day for personal exploration, shopping, or relaxing. Tonight all hands gather for a very special Farewell Dinner at the most famous restaurant in Da Nang, the Kim Do.
Meals: B/_/D
Day 13: (Friday, 20 March) – Da Nang to Hanoi
After breakfast, we head to Da Nang Airfield for our early flight to Hanoi. Arriving at Noi Bai Airfield, we head to JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) for a command briefing on their efforts. After lunch, we prepare for the journey home and more last-minute shopping.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 14: (Saturday, 21 March) – 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 Hong Kong. Departing from Hong Kong, we gain a day enroute to the continental United States by re-crossing the International Dateline, arriving in Los Angeles at approximately 2:30pm this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
