Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 11 - 12 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, 13 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 Monument. 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, 14 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. Upon arriving in Hue we will walk the southern battle of the 1968 Tet Offensive battle for Hue. 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. Afterwards we transfer to our hotel on the southern bank of the Perfume River in Hue (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam). After dinner, you can roam the fascinating shops on Le Loi Street until late at night.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 5: (Thursday, 15 March) Hue to Lao Bao
Today we head north on Highway One toward the DMZ. We pass through Quang Tri City and visit Long Hung Church, Bo De School, and the Lew Puller School as we come into Dong Ha. At the Song Do Dieu we walk over the Dong Ha Bridge (destroyed by John Ripley which stopped the initial NVA advance during the 1972 Easter Offensive). Continuing north we stop at Gio Linh FSB Forward (Alpha 2) and the Peace Bridge over the Song Ben Hai, (the river that was the only true physical demarcation between the North and South Vietnam) to the NVA artillery village of Vinh Moc to explore its intricate maze of tunnels. We return south to visit Con Thien (the Hill of Angels) and Cam Lo Bridge. The four quadrants of Leatherneck Square are Dong Ha, Gio Linh, Con Thien and Cam Lo. At Cam Lo we turn west on Highway 9 to visit Camp Carroll, the Marine artillery plateau. We continue west past the Rockpile, the Razorback, and Khe Gia Bridge. After lunch in Khe Sanh village, we head north to the Khe Sanh Combat Base where we will spend ample time exploring. Next 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 town of Lao Bao where we spend the evening in somewhat Spartan accommodations.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 6: (Friday, 16 March) Lao Bao to Hue
After breakfast, we stop at the Da Krong Bridge for photos. We then head back to Hue via Route 9 and Highway 1. Once we arrive in Hue we visit the Citadel, with its ramparts and towers. 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. This evening we take a cruise on the Perfume River.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 7: (Saturday, 17 March) Hue to Da Nang
This morning we head south on Highway 1 towards Da Nang. South of Hue we will visit Phu Bai and Camp Evans. Continuing south, we pass through the seaside fishing village of Lang Co Bay before heading up the Hai Van (Sea Clouds) Pass with a stop at the top to explore old French bunkers and take in a view of Da Nang Bay. Continuing down the Hai Van, we cross over the Nam O Bridge and into the City of Da Nang. We continue south to Marble Mountain where we will climb the mountain to explore the VC hospital area located deep within. We visit a marble carving shop before returning to Da Nang to check into our hotel on the west bank of the Hān River.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 8: (Sunday, 18 March) Da Nang
Today is a free day to relax or explore on your own. Visit China Beach, Hoi An or Monkey Mountain. Lunch and dinner is on your own.
Meals: B/_/_
Day 9: (Monday, 19 March) Da Nang to Saigon
This morning we fly to Saigon. We arrive at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport and retrieve our bags. As we depart the airport, we will pass by the old MACV HQ and the U.S. Army's 3rd Field Hospital as we head into the center of the city (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese). We begin our tour of Saigon visiting the War Remnants Museum; Cha Cham Church; Reunification Hall (Old Presidential Palace); Norte Dame; and the former US Embassy which now houses the new US Consulate.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 10: (Tuesday, 20 March) Saigon
Today is a free day in Saigon to explore on your own, play a round of golf or visit shopping areas along old Tu Do Street (now Dong Khoi Street) and other shopping areas. Lunch and dinner is on your own.
Meals: B/_/_
Day 11: (Wednesday, 21 March) Saigon to Tay Ninh
This morning we will head northwest to visit the Cu Chi Tunnel Complex. We will pass through the Iron Triangle and Hobo Woods along the way. Arriving in Tay Ninh Province, we will visit the Cao Dai Holy See Temple for the Noon Ceremony and visit Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain). We will overnight in Tay Ninh.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 12: (Thursday, 22 March) Tay Ninh to Saigon to My Tho
This morning we head back to Saigon where we will pick up Highway 1 and head south passing through Tan An on our way to visit the town of My Tho in the Mekong Delta. We will take a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit Thoi Son Island, local houses, and workshops. We will overnight in My Tho.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 13: (Friday, 23 March) My Tho to Saigon
This morning we return to Saigon.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 14: (Saturday, 24 March) Saigon
Today is a free day in Saigon to explore or for some last minute shopping. Lunch will be on your own, tonight all hands gather for a very special Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B/_/D
Day 15: (Sumday, 25 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)
