Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 31 March - 01 April, 2019) – Enroute

Report to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by 8:00 p.m. and proceed to the EVA Airlines ticketing counter for our flight to Taipei.  We lose one day crossing the International Dateline.

Day 3: (Tuesday, 02 April, 2019) – Taipei to Ha Noi

Meals: B/L (in flight) /D

Day 4: (Wednesday, 03 April, 2019) – Ha Noi

This morning we experience a cyclo ride through the Old French Quarter, after which we dine at the fabulous Lotus Buffet.  We then visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, the Ho Chi Minh House, and the One Pillar Pagoda.  This evening we attend a performance at the World-Famous Hanoi Water Puppet Theater.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 5: (Thursday, 04 April, 2019) – Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay

Today we travel through Hai Phong to Tam Coc (the so-called dry Ha long Bay) for a delightful boat trip on its interesting and beautiful waterway.  This evening we arrive at our hotel in the town of Ha Long.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 6: (Friday, 05 April, 2019) – Ha Long Bay

This morning we check-in at Tuan Chau Marina on Tuan Chau Island.  We embark on a classic Asian Junk for a welcome drink followed by a cruise briefing.  Our 2-night Ha Long Bay cruise includes cave explorations, cooking demonstrations, squid fishing, and swimming and snorkeling.  We also climb to the top of Titov Island for a panoramic view of the bay.  Mostly it's about relaxing, and enjoying the scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its thousands of limestone karsts and isles.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 7: (Saturday, 06 April, 2019) – Ha Long Bay

Continue our Ha Long Bay adventure.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 8: (Sunday, 07 April, 2019) – Ha Long Bay to Hue

This morning we bid goodbye to the Bay and return to Noi Bai Airfield for our flight to Phu Bai.  Upon landing, we travel north on Highway 1 and enter Hue City (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam) and arrive at our hotel with its rooftop view of the Perfume River and the Citadel.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 9: (Monday, 08 April, 2019) – Hue to Dong Ha

This morning we head north on Highway 1.  Our first stop is the 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.  The battle is infamous for the huge amount of ordnance fired by both ARVN and NVA forces.  We then cross the Quang Tri Bridge, stopping at the Ai Tu Airfield (Quang Tri Airbase).  Our last stop today is the Lew Puller School.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 10: (Tuesday, 09 April, 2019) – Dong Ha to Khe Sanh

After breakfast, we walk the Dong Ha Bridge (destroyed by Capt. John Ripley which stopped the initial NVA advance during the 1972 Easter Offensive).  We then travel west on Route 9 (the main overland U.S. supply route from the coast to Khe Sanh), stopping for photos overlooking the Rockpile.  Back on Route 9 we come upon other sites that were of military importance during the war, including Vandergrift Combat Base (LZ Stud), Ca Lu, and the Hairpin.  Soon, we enter Khe Sanh Village, where we stop for lunch.  Next, we venture north to Khe Sanh Combat Base where we spend ample time exploring.  Under JFK, Khe Sanh Combat Base was a U.S. jungle outpost close to the border with Laos.  The area grew into a major military base and airstrip under LBJ and was the scene of a 77-day siege in 1968, as well as many vicious hill battles in 1967-68.  Tonight, we stay in Khe Sanh village in somewhat Spartan accommodations.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 11: (Wednesday, 10 April, 2019) – Khe Sanh to Hue

For those able and willing, we turn north to the Montagnard village launch-point for the brutal and arduous climb up Hill 881-South.  For those who would rather not climb, we will drive up to Hill 881-North and take a short hike to Hill 881-South.  After our time on the 881's, we return to Hue via Route 9 and Highway 1.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 12: (Thursday, 11 April, 2019) – Hue

This morning, we enjoy a relaxing Dragon Boat cruise up the beautiful Song Huong (Perfume River) to Thien Mu Pagoda.  It was from this pagoda that in 1963, Monk Thich Quang Duc was driven to Saigon where he immolated himself in protest to the SVN government's oppressive treatment of the Buddhist people.  Re-boarding our boat, we continue upriver, disembarking to meet our waiting motorcoach.  We then visit the Tu Duc Tombs.  After lunch, we enter the Citadel, with its ramparts and towers, to explore the Forbidden City, home to the ancient emperors (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site).  Tonight, dinner is on our own.  We've eaten a lot of Vietnamese food up to this point, so you may want to grab a pizza or a burger at the DMZ Bar, just a short walk from our hotel.

Meals: B/L/_

Day 13: (Friday, 12 April, 2019) – Hue to Lang Co

This morning we enjoy a leisurely breakfast and have a chance for some last-minute shopping.  After checking out and having lunch in Hue, we head south on Highway 1.  We pass by Dam Cau Hai, one of the largest lagoons in Southeast Asia, encompassing 112 square kilometers.  Father south we enter the fishing village of Lang Co where we check into our South China Sea oceanfront resort.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 14: (Saturday, 13 April, 2019) – Lang Co

Today is a day to frolic on the beach, enjoy a massage, or relax by the pool.  Lunch is on our own, but tonight we gather together for dinner presented by the resort..

Meals: B/_/D

Day 15: (Sunday, 14 April, 2019) – Lang Co to Hoi An

This morning we walk across the bridge separating Dam Lap An from the sea for some interesting photos.  We then head up the breathtaking Hai Van, stopping at the Pass of the High Clouds to take in a view of Da Nang and her bay.  The Hai Van Pass had been a vital strategic military foothold for the Chinese for centuries and was used by the French during France's Indochina War and by the U.S. in America's Vietnam War.  Bunkers and fortifications dot the hillsides here.  It is also one of the best places to purchase pearl jewelry.  Continuing down the Hai Van to sea level, we cross Nam O Bridge which spans the Song Cu De flowing out of Elephant Valley.  We then visit Red Beach II, where U.S. Marines made their first amphibious landing in Vietnam in March 1965.  We pass through Dog Patch as we enter Da Nang City.  After lunch, we stop at My Khe Beach for photos.  My Khe was better known as "China Beach," which was used as an in-country 'R&R' Center by U.S. troops.  A little farther south we pass through the site of the Marble Mountain Air Facility (a U.S. helicopter base during the war), stopping at a marble carving shop.  This area is famous for their stone-sculpture industries.  The 5 Marble Mountains here are visually-striking monoliths that rise from the flat coastal plain and are home to Buddhist shrines and numerous caves.  We climb to the top of the largest mountain and explore the VC hospital area located deep within.  Our last stop is a wood-carving and silk shop as we arrive in Hoi An.  Hoi An, a beautiful well-preserved ancient trading port, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Its temples and architecture show the different cultural influences of its time and its lovely Japanese covered bridge is unique to this town.  Luckily for Hoi An, its importance waned long before the American War, and it was left essentially isolated and relatively untouched.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 16: (Monday, 15 April, 2019) – Hoi An

Today is free day.  You can relax by the pool, or you may want to roam by yourselves the streets and shops of this ancient port city, formerly known as Faifo, where Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese traders once walked.  The town ceased to be an important trade harbor when its inlet shoaled, and the port was moved north to Da Nang.  Shopping is excellent here and is one of the best places for tailor-made clothing.  There are literally hundreds of amazing little shops in this town.  Lunch and dinner are on our own today.  Be sure to sample some of the many local restaurants and night spots in this fascinating little city.

Meals: B/_/_

Day 17: (Tuesday, 16 April, 2019) – Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

After breakfast, we head north to Da Nang Airfield for our flight to Saigon.  If you have the urge, you can grab a burger at the Burger King franchise at the airport.  Landing at Tan Son Nhut Airfield (once the busiest airport in the world), we board our coach and head into the center of Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese).  We visit Reunification Hall (the old Presidential Palace), Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Old French Post Office.  We also drive by the site of the US Embassy compound (now the US Consulate) to see the place where Viet Cong sappers blew a hole in the compound wall and gained access to the Embassy grounds during the 1968 Tet Offensive.  Our hotel here is the one featured in Graham Greene's 1955 novel, The Quiet American, as well as the movie by the same name.  Lunch is not included today, but tonight all hands are required at our very special Farewell Dinner.

Meals: B/_/D

Day 18: (Wednesday, 17 April, 2019) – Saigon to CONUS (or Post Tour begins)

After breakfast and some last-minute shopping, we bid goodbye to our friends who have opted for one of our fabulous post tours.  The rest of our group will then transfer to Tan Son Nhut Airfield for our 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 (LAX) at approximately 4:30 p.m. this same day.

Meals: B/L/D (in flight)

Tour Price: $5,395.00 / Per Person is based upon Double Occupancy (2 people per room)   (Price in effect until November 30, 2018)
Single Supplement is $1,080.00

Ground Only Price: $4,400.00 / Per Person is also based upon Double Occupancy (2 people per room)
Single Supplement is $1,080.00

Tour Price Includes:

1. International roundtrip airfare from our Los Angeles, California (LAX) gateway.     Alternative Gateways
   • 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.