Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 01 - 02 February) – Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal by 7:30 p.m. and proceed to ticketing counter. Depart for Taipei and lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 3: (Tuesday, 03 February) – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
After a short layover in Taipei, we depart for Vietnam. We arrive at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhut Airport and proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, and clear customs. As we depart the airport, we will pass by the old MACV HQ, the U.S. Army's 3rd Field Hospital and head into the center of the city (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese). We check into our hotel and have the rest of the afternoon free. This evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B (in flight) /L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 4: (Wednesday, 04 February) – Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku
The morning is devoted to touring sites in Ho Chi Minh City, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Hall (the old Presidential Palace) and Norte Dame. After lunch we proceed to Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhut Airport for our flight to Pleiku. On arrival we proceed to our hotel.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoang Anh Gia Lai
Day 5: (Thursday, 05 February) – Pleiku to Kontum to Qui Nhon
After breakfast we head north to Kontum and then back track east on QL19. As we drive east downhill we pass through the Mang Yang Pass where the French Mobile Group 100 was ambushed and annihilated on June 24, 1954. We cross over the An Khe Bridge on our way into An Khe where we will have lunch. Later we come to An Khe Summit and An Khe Pass and before arriving in Qui Nhon where we will spend the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Saigon Qui Nhon
Day 6: (Friday, 06 February) – Qui Nhon to Nha Trang
After breakfast, we drive south along Hwy 1. Along the way, we pass Tuy Hoa Airbase and visit several Cham ruins (the Cham people ruled what is today's Vietnam from the 3rd to the 15th Centuries) and other interesting sites. We arrive in Nha Trang where we will spend the night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Michelia
Day 7: (Saturday, 07 February) – Nha Trang
Today is a free day in Nha Trang to explore on your own, relax by the pool, or shop. Lunch and Dinner on our own.
Meals: B/_/_ Hotel: Michelia
Day 8: (Sunday, 08 February) – Nha Trang to Phan Thiet
After breakfast we head south along Hwy 1 passing through Cam Ranh Bay, if possible, we will stop in Cam Ranh and visit the site of the 6th Convalescent Hospital, the 14th Aerial Port, and the 22nd Replacement Battalion. After leaving Cam Ranh we continue south along the coast highway where we will pass through the Sand Dunes of Mui Ne and Phan Rang on our way to Phan Thiet where we will spend the night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: The Sunny Beach
Day 9: (Monday, 09 February) – Phan Thiet to Vung Tau
After breakfast, we will explore locations around Phan Thiet (home of 2nd/7th of the 1st Cav and later the HQ of the 3rd/506th Inf, 101st Abn) to include LZ Betty, the Phan Thiet Air Base, and an abandoned Fort. We continue south through La Gi on our way to Vung Tau where we will spend the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Palace Vung Tau
Day 10: (Tuesday, 10 February) – Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City
On our way back to Ho Chi Minh City we visit Lighthouse Mountain, Black Beach, the port and other sites of interest. We spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 11: (Wednesday, 11 February) – Ho Chi Minh City
This morning we are up early and heading northwest on Highway 13 with stops at FSB Malone II, Dau Tieng Base, and Dau Tieng Airfield. On our way back to Ho Chi Minh City we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. We return to Ho Chi Minh City for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 12: (Thursday, 12 February) – Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho
Early morning departure heading south on Hwy 1 we visit the town of My Tho in the Mekong Delta. We will take a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit Thoi Son Island, local houses, and workshops. We continue south to Can Tho. Time permitting we will visit Binh Thuy and Sa Dec. We spend the night in Can Tho.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Fortune Land
Day 13: (Friday, 13 February) – Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City
This morning we board a boat to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market to sample some local fruits and cruise thru the market on the Mekong. From here we continue north and visit some sites around Can Tho as we travel back to Ho Chi Minh City. We spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 14: (Saturday, 14 February) – Ho Chi Minh City
Today is a free day to explore Saigon on your own, or for some last minute shopping. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B/_/D Hotel: Gondola
Day 15: (Sunday, 15 February) – Departure
After breakfast, we 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 at approximately 4:00 p.m. this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)