Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 13 - 14 September) – Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal by 7:00 pm and proceed to ticketing counter. Depart Los Angeles on our flight to Taipei or Hong Kong. Lose one day crossing the International Dateline..
Day 3: (Tuesday, 15 September) – HANOI
After a short layover in Taipei or 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, 16 September) – 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, 17 September) – HUE
This morning we take a relaxing dragon boat cruise up the beautiful Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Tu Duc Tombs. We return to lunch and use the balance of the afternoon to explore the Citadel with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to the 1968 Tet Offensive northern battle for Hue, including the Chuck Meadows and Dong Ba Gates and the phase lines. We finish at the Imperial Palace gate, which when blown open, 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, 18 September) – DMZ
We head north on Highway One toward Dong Ha, stopping at sites along the way, such as Quang Tri City, the Ai Tu Airfield. We then 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. 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. We return to Hue for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 7: (Saturday, 19 September) – 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 8: (Sunday, 20 September) – DA NANG to HOI AN
Today we head south and west to An Hoa Combat Base with stops at My Son Holyland, Hill 119 and the south end of Liberty Bridge. We head west and south to Antenna Valley by the Tu Bon River Pass and continue on to the Que Son Valley and LZ Ross and Baldy as we return to Hoi An for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 9: (Monday, 21 September) – HOI AN to NHA TRANG
After a leisurely morning we drive back to Da Nang for our 14:10 flight to Nha Trang. Arriving in Nha Trang at 15:30 we check into our hotel and have the rest of the day to explore on our own.
Meals: B/L/_
Day 10: (Tuesday, 22 September) – NHA TRANG
Today we make the short drive up to Ninh Hoa, after which we continue north to visit Tuy Hoa being sure to take the time needed to explore. Later we return to Nha Trang for a well-deserved rest and maybe a swim.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 11: (Wednesday, 23 September) – NHA TRANG to DA LAT
Early this morning we head south on Highway 1. After passing Cam Ranh Bay and Phan Rang Airfield we head west on Highway 11 and into the mountains arriving in Da Lat as darkness falls.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 12: (Thursday, 24 September) – DA LAT
This morning we will visit the Thien Vien Truc Lam pagoda and Tuyen Lam Lake. We will visit the Bao Dai waterfall and picnic area and have lunch there. After lunch we will visit the Chinese pagoda, Thien Vuong Co Sat pagoda, Minh Nguyet Cu Si Lam, Than Tho lake, Doi Thong Hai Mo and Ai An forest. Go shopping in Da Lat market. Have dinner with special mountainous dishes.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 13: (Friday, 25 September) – DA LAT to SAIGON
This morning we take an early morning flight to Saigon. Arriving HCM City at 09:25, we enjoy a half-day city tour then you are free to relax or to roam the old Tu Do Street (now Dong Khoi Street) in search of great souvenirs. Tonight we gather for our very special Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 14: (Saturday, 26 September) – Departure
After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to Tan Son Nhut Airfield for our short flight. We depart from Taipei or Hong Kong, re-cross the International Dateline, and land in Los Angeles this same day at approximately 3:30pm.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
