The Hill Fights - 50th Anniversary
30 April - 14 May, 2017
15 Days
Price: $3,595.00
Tour Reference: VN-17042
Ground Only Price is: $2,600.00 *
Deadline for registration is January 30, 2017
* Tour Registration Closed *
Marines assault at the Battle for Hill 881.
1967
Daily Itinerary

Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 30 April - 14 May, 2017)  -  Enroute

Report to the International Terminal by 9:00pm and proceed to the EVA Airlines ticketing counter for our flight to Taipei.  Lose one day crossing the International Dateline.

Day 3: (Tuesday, 2 May, 2017)  -  Taipei to 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, board our motorcoach, and cross the Red River and its dikes to explore the Ha Noi environs.  We visit the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton); and stop at the John McCain Monument.  Tonight we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.

Meals: B (in flight) /_/D

 
Class I Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 4: (Wednesday, 3 May, 2017)  -  Ha Noi

This morning we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh House, and One Pillar Pagoda.  Mission-permitting, we will stop at DDPA (Department of Defense POW/MIA Agency) for a command briefing on their efforts to recover our brothers still Missing in Action.  We then enjoy a fabulous lunch at the Lotus Buffet Restaurant.  Next is the fascinating War Museum with its Dien Bien Phu exhibit and American artifacts.

Meals: B/L/D

 
Class I Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 5: (Thursday, 4 May, 2017)  -  Ha Noi to Hue

Early this morning we head back to Noi Bai to catch our flight to Phu Bai Airfield.  We then head north on Highway 1 and enter Hue City (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam) and begin our study of the 1968 Tet Offensive battle for Hue.  The Battle of Hue was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the war, and we spend the remainder of the day visiting strategic sites around the southern city.  We follow the actions of 1/1 and 2/5 covering, among others, 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 arrive at our hotel (which was the ARVN BOQ during the war) on the southern bank of the Perfume River.

Meals: B/L/D

 
Class II Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 6: (Friday, 5 May, 2017)  -  Hue

Today we take a relaxing Dragon Boat cruise up the beautiful Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda.  It was from this pagoda that Thich Quang Duc was driven to Saigon where he immolated himself in protest to the government's oppressive treatment of the Buddhist people.  We re-board our boat and continue upstream.  Making an amphibious landing, we climb a hill to meet our motorcoach and drive to the Tu Duc Tombs.  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 Phase Line Green.  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

 
Class II Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 7: (Saturday, 6 May, 2017)  -  Hue to Dong Ha

This morning, we head north on Highway 1, stopping at Camp Evans.  Farther north we traverse 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 Trung Phuoc Bridge is where the worst of the massacre occurred, because massive numbers of people were trapped by the downed bridge which prevented escape.  Soon thereafter we enter Quang Tri City where we visit La Vang Basilica (site of a 1798 appearance of the Blessed Virgin).  Returning to Highway 1 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.  Next we cross the Quang Tri Bridge.  We then stop at the Ai Tu Airfield (Quang Tri Airbase).  Our last stop of the day is the Lew Puller School.

Meals: B/L/D

 
Class II Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 8: (Sunday, 7 May, 2017)  -  Dong Ha

This morning we walk to the Dong Ha Bridge (destroyed by Capt. John Ripley which stopped the initial NVA advance during the 1972 Easter Offensive).  Boarding our motorcoach, we travel east on the north side of the Song Bo Dieu and Song Cua Viet, passing through Mai Xa Chanh and My Loc.  Turning north we follow the new beach road along the Tonkin Gulf.  We then cross 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 U.S. 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.  We then head west and south, crossing the Hien Luong Bridge (also known as the Peace Bridge).  Back in South Vietnam, we proceed to FSB Gio Linh (Forward) which overlooks the DMZ from the Republic side.  We then pass through Alpha-3 and visit the U.S. base at Alpha-4, better known as Con Thien (the Hill of Angels).  A-4 was the western anchor of the McNamara Line.  Crossing 2/4's Bastard's Bridge (aka The Washout), we pass by Charlie-2 and Charlie-3 and stop for photos at the Cam Lo Bridge.  We then return to Dong Ha on Route 9.  Today we traversed the four quadrants of Leatherneck Square: Dong Ha, Gio Linh, Con Thien, and Cam Lo.

Meals: B/L/D

 
Class II Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 9: (Monday, 8 May, 2017)  -  Dong Ha to Khe Sanh

Early this morning we head west on Route 9 (the main U.S. supply route from the coast to Khe Sanh).  Vietnam is a very long, thin country, and we will traverse it from the coast all the way to its border with Laos.  Our first stop is Camp Carroll, (the joint-forces artillery plateau).  Crossing the Khe Gia Bridge, we stop at the Rockpile where we gear up and hike to the northeast side of the Razorback.  Back on Route 9 we come upon other sites that were of military importance during the war, including Vandergrift Combat Base (LZ Stud), where we visit to the airstrip.  Passing through Ca Lu and crossing the Hairpin we enter Khe Sanh Village and stop for lunch.  Next we venture north to Khe Sanh Combat Base where we spend ample time exploring.  In 1966, Khe Sanh Combat Base was a U.S. jungle outpost close to the border with Laos.  It grew into a major military base and airstrip under LBJ and was the scene of a 77-day siege in 1968.  We then venture northwest from the combat base to seek out enemy caves on Hill 516 before retiring to our hotel in Khe Sanh Village.

Meals: B/L/D

 
Class II Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 10: (Tuesday, 9 May, 2017)  -  Khe Sanh

Today we climb Hill 861 and Hill 861A, battlefield hornet nests for the 3rd, 9th, and 26th Marines.  The views from these mountaintops are spectacular.  We spend time exploring and remembering the battles and the valiant men who fought here.

Meals: B/L/D

 
Class II Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 11: (Wednesday, 10 May, 2017)  -  Khe Sanh to Lao Bao

Early this morning we drive to a Montagnard tribal village where we begin our arduous climb to the top of Hill 881 South.  At the summit, we recount the many battles at this isolated outpost manned at various times by the brave Marines of the 3rd, 9th, and 26th Regiments.  Returning from the mountain, we continue west on Route 9 to our last stop at 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.  Tonight we stay in the Laotian border town of Lao Bao in somewhat Spartan accommodations.

Meals: B/L/D

 
Class III Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 12: (Thursday, 11 May, 2017)  -  Lao Bao to Hue

Early today we head east, stopping for a climb up Hill 500 to the site of the recovery operation to retrieve 38 bodies 1/9 suffered on April 16-17, 1967.  We take time to remember and to honor these Marines who gave their last full measure.  We continue along the ridge line to Hill 689.  If there is interest, we will also climb Hill 552.  We then return to Hue.  Tonight dinner is on our own.  Be sure to sample some of the many local restaurants and night spots in the city.  Or you may want to grab a pizza or a burger at the DMZ Bar, just a short walk from our hotel.

Meals: B/L/_

 
Class III Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 13: (Friday, 12 May, 2017)  -  Hue

Today is a free day to ease our aching bones, to relax, to explore, or to buy those special gifts to bring home.  Lunch is on our own, but tonight all hands are required at our very special Farewell Dinner.

Meals: B/_/D

 
Class I Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 14: (Saturday, 13 May, 2017)  -  Hue to Ha Noi

After a leisurely breakfast, we head to Phu Bai Airfield for our flight back to Ha Noi.  We will have time to prepare for the journey home, to relax, or to imbibe yourself with last-minute shopping.  Tonight 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.

Meals: B/L/D

 
Class I Tour Day - Click for more information.

Day 15: (Sunday, 14 May, 2017)  -  Ha Noi to CONUS

After breakfast, we transfer to Noi Bai Airfield for our departing flight to Taipei.  Departing from Taipei, we gain a day enroute by re-crossing the International Dateline, arriving in the continental United States this same day.

Meals: B/L/D (in flight)

 
Class I Tour Day - Click for more information.
Tour Pricing Information

Tour Price: $3,595.00 / Per Person is based upon Double Occupancy (2 people per room)
Single Supplement is $598.00

Ground Only Price: $2,600.00 / 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.
    • 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.
  12. Emergency Medical, Evacuation, Repatriation and Hospitalization Insurance included in each tour.

Why choose Vietnam Battlefield Tours?

Here's just a few reasons:

  1. VBT - We use only highly-experienced U.S. Marine Corps & U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran guides.
  2. VBT - Runs 15-day tours which ensures unrushed touring.
  3. VBT - Has all-inclusive pricing. (Beware of hidden charges forced on you by other tour operators).
  4. VBT - Gets you to places other companies cannot access.
  5. VBT - Our tours are designed for customization based on participant's requests (no off-the-rack tours).

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