Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 13 - 14 March) – Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal by 6:30 p.m. and proceed to ticketing counter. Depart for Taipei and lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 3: (Tuesday, 15 March) – 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 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 March) – Ha Noi 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 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, 18 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, 19 March) – Dong Ha
Early this morning we depart for Leatherneck Square. We head west on Route 9. Turning north from Cam Lo, our first stop will be the Cam Lo Bridge; next is Con Thien (the Hill of Angels), and then Gio Linh FSB Forward (Alpha 2). We then cross the Peace Bridge over the Song Ben Hai, the river that was the only true physical demarcation between the North and South. Heading northeast, we brave the Tunnels of Vinh Moc before returning south along the new beach road to Dong Ha. We will stop along the north side of the Song Bo Dieu for photos of the LCU Ramp. Our final stop will be the Bridge at Dong Ha (destroyed by John Ripley which stopped the initial NVA advance during the 1972 Easter Offensive).
Meals: B/L/D
Day 8: (Sunday, 20 March) – Dong Ha to Lao Bao
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, 21 March) – Lao Bao to Hue
After breakfast, we cross the Da Krong Bridge, driving south through the amazing scenery of the Da Krong Valley and the A Shau Valley, pointing out significant sites along the way and stopping for lunch in A Loui. We then turn east on old Route 547 which will take us into Hue for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 10: (Tuesday, 22 March) – Hue
Today is a free day in Hue for shopping, relaxing by the pool, or for personal exploration. Lunch and Dinner is on our own.
Meals: B/_/_
Day 11: (Wednesday, 23 March) – Hue to Da Nang
Departing 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. 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 12: (Thursday, 24 March) – Da Nang
Another early morning departure brings us to 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 at 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 13: (Friday, 25 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 14: (Saturday, 26 March) – Da Nang to Ha Noi
After breakfast, we head to Da Nang Airfield for our early flight to Ha Noi. 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 15: (Sumday, 27 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 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 3:10 p.m. this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
