Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 06 - 07 September 2020) – Enroute to Taipei

Report to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by 8:00 p.m. and proceed to ticketing counter.  Depart Los Angeles, CA on our flight to Taipei.  Lose one day crossing the International Dateline.

Day 3: (Tuesday, 08 September 2020) – Taipei to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

After a short layover in Taipei where we endure the Big Speech, we depart for Vietnam.  We land at Tan Son Nhut Airfield (once the busiest airport in the world) and proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, clear customs, and board our waiting motorcoach.  We then enter the center of Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese), and visit the War Remnants Museum with its artifacts and the must-see Requiem photography exhibit.  Tonight, we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.

Meals: B (in flight) /_/D

Day 4: (Wednesday, 09 September 2020) – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Early this morning, if there is interest, we stop at the Y-Bridge, Newport Bridge, and the Phu Tho Racetrack.  Next, we enter Cholon (considered the largest Chinatown in the world by area).  While here we visit Cha Tam Church (Saint Francis Xavier Church) where SVN President Diem had fled and disguised himself as a priest during the 1963 coup.  It was from this place that Diem and his brother were captured, taken away, and assassinated.  Next is Reunification Hall (the old Presidential Palace), Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Old French Post Office.  We also drive by the site of the U.S. Embassy compound (now the U.S. 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.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 5: (Thursday, 10 September 2020) – Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku

Very early this morning, we return to Tan Son Nhut Airfield for our 07:55 flight to Ban Me Thuot (now Buon Ma Thuot).  After landing, we explore the BMT area.  We then head north on Highway 14 past the Ia Drang Valley battle area to Dragon Mountain at the entrance to Camp Enari.  We continue north past Artillery Hill and enter Kontum.  Kontum was one of the major objectives of the 3-prong 1972 Easter Offensive attacks by the NVA (DMZ in I-Corps; Kontum in II-Corps; and An Loc in III-Corps).  We visit the 100-year old Ave Maria Rosewood Church, as well as the Vinh Son Montagnard Orphanage.  After lunch in Kontum, we return to Pleiku for the evening.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 6: (Friday, 11 September 2020) – Pleiku to Qui Nhon

Today we head east on Highway 19 past Camp Holloway.  We take a moment at Mang Yang Pass to remember this place where on 24 June 1954, the French Groupement Mobile 100 met annihilation in a devastating ambush by the Viet Minh.  If there is interest, we will stop at Camp Radcliff (An Khe Base and Airfield).  Next, we cross over An Khe Summit and head down through the An Khe Pass on our way to the coastal town of Qui Nhon where we spend the night.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 7: (Saturday, 12 September 2020) – Qui Nhon to Nha Trang

After breakfast, we make brief stops at the former site of Qui Nhon City Airport and where the 1st Cav came ashore on September 11, 1965.  We then head south along Highway 1 and stop at Tuy Hoa Airbase also known as Hell's Half Acre and Phu Hiep Airfield.  Along the way to Nha Trang, we view several Cham ruins (the Cham people ruled what is today's Vietnam from the 5th to the 12th century) and other interesting sites.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 8: (Sunday, 13 September 2020) – Nha Trang

Today is a free day to relax, shop, or explore on your own.  Lunch and dinner are on our own.

Meals: B/_/_

Day 9: (Monday, 14 September 2020) – Nha Trang to Phan Thiet

After breakfast we head south along Highway 1 and stop in Cam Ranh to visit the site of the former 22nd Replacement Battalion, the former site of the 6th Convalescent Hospital, and the 14th Aerial Port.  Passing through Phan Rang, we make a stop at Phan Rang Airfield and continue along the coastal highway to see the Sand Dunes of Mui Ne.  Before arriving in Phan Thiet, we stop at La Gi for a Kodak moment.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 10: (Tuesday, 15 September 2020) – Phan Thiet

Today is a free day to shop, relax, or catch up on your reading at the beach.  Lunch and dinner are on our own today.

Meals: B/_/_

Day 11: (Wednesday, 16 September 2020) – Phan Thiet to Tay Ninh

Departing early, we head over to Phan Thiet Airbase (home of 2nd/7th of the 1st Cav and later, the HQ of the 3rd/506th Infantry, 101st Airborne) aka LZ Betty.  We then settle in for the long drive to Tay Ninh, stopping for lunch along the way.  We pick up Highway 1 passing Bien Hoa Airbase and stop to explore the Cu Chi Tunnel Complex.  We overnight in Tay Ninh City.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 12: (Thursday, 17 September 2020) – Tay Ninh to Saigon

This morning, we reconnoiter the town of Tay Ninh, including the entrance of Tay Ninh Combat Base (now an active duty Vietnamese Army Base).  We then motor to Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain) to get a view of this eerie 3,000' monolith.  Next is an early lunch at Tuyiet's Restaurant.  Ms. Tuyiet is a highly-decorated former VC Soldier in the Tay Ninh - Cu Chi area of operations.  We also attend the Noon Ceremony at the Cao Dai Holy See Temple.  Passing through the Iron Triangle and Hobo Woods we make our way back to Saigon.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 13: (Friday, 18 September 2020) – Saigon

Today we head south on Highway 1 to visit the town of My Tho in the Mekong Delta.  We take a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit Thoi Son Island (Coconut Island), and its local houses, and workshops.  Back in Saigon, dinner is on our own to sample some of the many cafes and restaurants in this vibrant city.

Meals: B/L/_

Day 14: (Saturday, 19 September 2020) – Saigon

Today is our final free day in Vietnam.  You can take a walk to Ben Thanh Market or stroll along old Tu Do Street (now Dong Khoi Street) to explore a myriad of little shops where you can discover special gifts to bring home.  Or simply sit and watch the world go by from one of the city's many cafés.  Lunch is on our own.  However, all hands are required this evening at our very special Farewell Dinner.

Meals: B/_/D

Day 15: (Sunday, 20 September 2020) – Departure

After breakfast, those heading home transfer to Tan Son Nhut Airport 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 (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).