Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday , 19 20 April) Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal. Depart Los Angeles on our flight to Taipei. We lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 3: (Tuesday, 21 April) Ha Noi
After a short layover in Taipei, we depart for Vietnam. Arriving at Ha Nois Noi Bai Airfield (heavily bombed during the war) 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 Ho Chi Minh House, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), and the John McCain Monument. This evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B (in flight) /L/D Hotel: Thang Long Opera
Day 4: (Wednesday, 22 April) Ha Noi to Da Nang
On the way to the airport we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. We then catch our 2:20 p.m. flight to Da Nang Airfield. On arrival we check into our hotel, have lunch at a local restaurant, and climb Marble Mountain to explore the VC Hospital area located deep within. Afterwards, we may have time for a swim in the South China Sea at China Beach. Tonight after dinner, we are free to roam the streets of Da Nang.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Green Plaza
Day 5: (Thursday, 23 April) Da Nang
Today we head west from Da Nang to visit Hill 41, Hill 10, and the village of Phuoc Ninh (7). We explore these areas related to the actions of 20 December 1967. If a route is available we climb Charlie Ridge to overlook the area. We continue south and west to Hill 37, Hill 65, Hill 22, the village of Dai Loc, and Liberty Bridge (North End). We will spend ample time as needed in these areas. As we head back to Da Nang, we stop at Hill 55 (7th Marines Regimental Hill). Tonight we are on our own for dinner.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Green Plaza
Day 6: (Friday, 24 April) Da Nang to Hoi An
Today we head south on Highway 1 and then west to LZ Ross, Antenna Valley, An Hoa Combat Base,and the south side of Liberty Bridge. We 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 Hotel: Hoi An Trails
Day 7: (Saturday, 25 April) Hoi An
We head south once again on Highway 1, this time for Tam Ky and Chu Lai locations to visit 7th Marine sites of specific interest, such as 7th Marines HQ at the Song Tra Bong and the Operation Starlight area. We also stop at Hill 43, Chu Lai Airfield, Crescent Beach, and Ky Ha. We return to Hoi An for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoi An Trails
Day 8: (Sunday, 26 April) Hoi An
Today is a free day and evening in Hoi An to enjoy the beaches, to explore on your own, or to roam the streets and shops of this ancient port city (formerly known as Faifo) where Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese traders once walked. Lunch is on your own today.
Meals: B/_/D Hotel: Hoi An Trails
Day 9: (Monday, 27 April) Hoi An to Da Nang
Today, we venture to the Happy Valley and Elephant Valley areas north of Charlie Ridge. We will visit Ba Na, a radio relay station during the war and formerly a French Resort on top of the mountain.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Green Plaza
Day 10: (Tuesday, 28 April) Da Nang to Hue - or - Da Nang
Today we have a Breakaway Tour going to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Main Group - Today we travel north on Highway 1 through Da Nang where we will visit Red Beach 2 (were the Marines first landed in 1965) and then across Nam O Bridge and past the Esso Plant on our way up the Hai Van (Sea Clouds) Pass with a stop at the top to explore old French bunkers and take in a parting view of Da Nang Bay. We continue north through Phu Bai and enter Hue City (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam) and begin our study of the 1968 Tet Offensive battle for the New City on the southern side of the Perfume River. We follow the actions of 1/1 and 2/5, covering among others, the former MACV Compound, ARVN BOQ, Hue University, the Provincial Capital Building, and the Church of the Redemptress. After dinner you can roam the fascinating shops on Le Loi Street.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Breakaway Group - This a free day to relax or explore Da Nang on your own.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Green Plaza
Day 11: (Wednesday, 29 April) Hue to Dong Ha - or - Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City
Main Group - After breakfast we examine the 1968 Tet Offensive battles for the Old City and the Citadel with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to 1/5s battle on the northern side of the Perfume River, to include the Chuck Meadows and Dong Ba Gates and Phase Line Green. We finish at the Imperial Palace and visit the Forbidden City. After lunch we depart north to Dong Ha and visit the Lew Puller School and cross the Dong Ha Bridge and tell the story of John Ripley and the 1972 Easter Offensive. We can also visit Cua Viet.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hieu Giang
Breakaway Group - After breakfast, transfer to Da Nang Airfield for your 8:00 a.m. flight to Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese). After landing at Tan Son Nhut Airfield, you pass by the old MACV Compound and enjoy a ½-day tour of Saigon to include the Cha Cham Church, the Presidential Palace, the old US Embassy grounds, and the War Remnants Museum.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Oscar
Day 12: (Thursday, 30 April) Dong Ha to Hue - or - Ho Chi Minh City
Main Group - Early this morning we depart for numerous DMZ sites. We travel north to Gio Linh and then to the Peace Bridge over the Song Ben Hai (the river that was the only true physical demarcation between the North and South). Returning south and west, we visit Con Thien (The Hill of Angels), and the Cam Lo Bridge. We then turn west on Route 9 and make stops at the Rockpile and Razorback, Ca Lu, and the Da Krong Bridge. We then visit the Khe Sanh Combat Base and the Special Forces Camp at Lang Vei. We return to Hue for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Huong Giang
Breakaway Group - This morning drive through the Iron Triangle to Tay Ninh Province arriving in time for the noon ceremony at the Cao Dai Temple. Then explore the Cu Chi Tunnel Complex and other sites of interest, such as Nui Ba Den.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Oscar
Day 13: (Friday, 01 May) Hue to Ha Noi - or - Ho Chi Minh City
Main Group - After breakfast, we head to Phu Bai Airfield for our 9:00 a.m. flight to Ha Noi. Mission permitting, we head to JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) for a command briefing on their efforts. The balance of the afternoon is preparing for the journey home and last minute shopping. Before our Farewell Dinner tonight, we have been invited to the Marine House, home of the highly-trained Marine Security Guard responsible for the protection of the U.S. Ambassador and the Embassy.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Breakaway Group - Today, travel south to My Tho and board a boat for an excursion on the Mekong River and to Thoi Son Island.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Oscar
Day 14: (Saturday, 02 May) RETURN to CONUS
Main Group - After breakfast, we transfer to Noi Bai Airfield for our short 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 3:25pm this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
Breakaway Group - After breakfast, we transfer to Ton Son Nhut Airport for our short flight to Taipei where we will meet up with the main tour group. 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 3:25pm this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
