Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 05 - 06 April 2020) – Enroute

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

Day 3: (Tuesday, 07 April 2020) – Taipei to Da Nang to Hoi An

After a short layover in Taipei where we endure the Big Speech, we depart for Vietnam.  We land at Da Nang Airfield and proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, clear customs, and board our waiting motorcoach.  Leaving the city, we head east for a stop for photos at My Khe Beach on the South China Sea.  My Khe was better known as "China Beach," which was used as an in-country R&R center for US troops.  A little farther south we pass through the site of the Marble Mountain Air Facility (a U.S. helicopter base during the war).  We stop at 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 War, and it was left essentially isolated and relatively untouched.  Tonight, we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.

Meals: L (in flight) /D

Day 4: (Wednesday, 08 April 2020) – Hoi An

This morning, we head southwest and then parallel to the southern edge of Go Noi Island stopping at the village of Phu Lac 6 at the south side of Liberty Bridge, before making our way to An Hoa Regimental Combat Base.  We then make 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.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 5: (Thursday, 09 April 2020) – Hoi An

It is about time for jet lag to kick in hard.  Therefore, today is a 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.  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 6: (Friday, 10 April 2020) – Hoi An to Da Nang

This morning we head north to the Marble Mountain area and stop at a marble carving shop.  This area is famous for their stone-sculpture industries.  The mountains 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.  After lunch, we visit the Camp Tien Sha area and Monkey Mountain.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 7: (Saturday, 11 April 2020) – Da Nang to Hue

This morning, we continue north on Highway 1 and stop for photos at Red Beach II, where U.S. Marines made their first amphibious landing in Vietnam in March 1965.  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 Wars and by the US in America's Vietnam War.  Bunkers and fortifications dot the hillsides here.  Continuing down the Hai Van to sea level, we walk across the Lang Co Bridge which separates Lang Co and Dam Lap An from the sea.  In Lang Co fishing village, we enjoy a seafood lunch.  After the Bowling Alley and Phu Loc, we pass by Dam Cau Hai, one of the largest lagoons in Southeast Asia, encompassing 112 square kilometers.  We soon enter Hue City (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam) and arrive at our hotel (which was the ARVN BOQ during the war) on the southern bank of the Perfume River.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 8: (Sunday, 12 April 2020) – Hue

This morning we 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 our day visiting strategic sites in the fighting.  We start in the southern city.  We follow the actions of 1/1 and 2/5 covering, among others, the Shell Gas Station, 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 Quoc Hoc High School that graduated Ho Chi Minh, General Giap, and President Diem.  After lunch, we enter 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 L/3/5, 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 9: (Monday, 13 April 2020) – Hue to Dong Ha

This morning, we enjoy a relaxing Dragon Boat cruise up the beautiful Perfume River to the 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.  After lunch, we head north on Highway 1.  Our first stop is Camp Evans.  Farther north, we come upon the My Chanh Bridge.  It was here that the ARVN held the line against invading NVA forces during the 1972 Easter Offensive and from which they launched their counterattack to drive Ho's forces back toward the DMZ.  North of here is 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 bridge is where the worst of the massacre occurred.  Massive numbers of people were trapped because the downed bridge prevented escape.  Soon thereafter we enter Quang Tri City where we visit La Vang Basilica (site of a 1798 appearance of the Blessed Virgin), passing through the LZ Sharon, LZ Nancy, and LZ Ann areas to CCN MLT-2.  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.  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, 14 April 2020) – Dong Ha

Very early today, we travel east on the north side of the Song Bo Dieu and Song Cua Viet passing just north of the village of Dai Do, site of the Battle of Dong Ha fought by The Magnificent Bastards of 2/4 in May 1968.  We continue east, past Mai Xa Chanh, My Loc, Jones Creek, and My Loc.  Crossing south over the Song Cua Viet, we view Camp Kistler, home of 1st AmTrac Battalion and NSA.  Turning north again, we head up 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 US 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 (better known as the Peace Bridge).  Back in South Vietnam, we proceed past FSB Gio Linh (Forward) aka Alpha-2 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.  Travelling south on the Rough-Rider Road, we cross 2/4's Bastard's Bridge (aka The Washout) and stop at Charlie-2.  After passing by Charlie-3 we stop for photos at Cam Lo Bridge.  Next, we venture to the Battle of Hill 100 and Hill 162 areas.  We return to Dong Ha for the night.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 11: (Wednesday, 15 April 2020) – Dong Ha to Lao Bao

Today 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 traverse it from the coast all the way to its border with Laos.  If more time is needed for Hills 100 and 162, we will take it this morning.  Our first stop is Mai Loc Airfield, followed by Camp Carroll, (the joint-forces artillery plateau) where we view Dong Ha Mountain (aka Firebase Fuller) in all its splendor.  After walking across 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 the airstrip.  Passing through Ca Lu and crossing the Hairpin we enter Khe Sanh Village, where we stop for lunch.  Our last stop is 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

Day 12: (Thursday, 16 April 2020) – Lao Bao to Khe Sanh

Early this morning, we motor to Khe Sanh Combat Base where we spend ample time exploring under the shadow of Hills 950 and 1015.  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.  Leaving KSCB, we head northwest and make the perilous ride up to Hill 881 North.  We dismount and hike to Hill 881 South.  Here, we remember the heroism and sacrifice of the Marines and Corpsmen who served here.  After our time on the 881's, we return to Khe Sanh village for the evening.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 13: (Friday, 17 April 2020) – Khe Sanh to Hue

Early this morning we return east on Route 9 for a short while and then head south, deep into the Da Krong and A Shau Valleys.  Just before A Loui we stop for the difficult hike to the summit of Hamburger Hill.  Later, we continue south through the town of A Loui to the A Shau Special Forces Camp and Aso Airfield.  We then turn east on Highway 547.  Passing FSB's Bastogne and Birmingham, we finally arrive back in Hue.  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 14: (Saturday, 18 April 2020) – Hue to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

We bid goodbye to Hue and head down to Phu Bai Airfield for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese).  Landing at Tan Son Nhat Airfield (once the busiest airport in the world), we board our waiting motorcoach.  After lunch, we visit sites in Saigon to include Reunification Hall (the old Presidential Palace); Notre Dame Cathedral; and the Old French Post Office.  We finish our city tour passing 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.  Tonight, all hands are required at our very special Farewell Dinner.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 15: (Sunday, 19 April 2020) – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to CONUS

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 Nhat 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: $3,895.00 / Per Person is based upon Double Occupancy (2 people per room)
Single Supplement is $598.00

Ground Only Price: $2,900.00 / 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 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.

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