Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday , 13 – 14 September, 2015) – Enroute
Report to Los Angeles International Terminal by 9:00 p.m. and proceed to ticketing counter. Depart for Taipei and lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
Day 3: (Tuesday, 15 September, 2015) – 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). After lunch, we proceed to our hotel where you will have the rest of the afternoon free. This evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 4: (Wednesday, 16 September, 2015) – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Qui Nhon
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 Qui Nhon.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Saigon Qui Nhon
Day 5: (Thursday, 17 September, 2015) – Qui Nhon to Nha Trang
Today we will be visiting sites in and around Qui Nhon. These will include the port facilities, Army Depot, 85th Evac Hospital, LSU Ramps, and other areas of interest. After Lunch we will continue on to Nha Trang. Along the way we drive south along Highway 1. We get a view of the Tuy Hoa Airbase and view several Cham Ruins (the Cham people ruled what is today's Vietnam from the 5th to the 12th Centuries) and other interesting sites. Overnight in Nha Trang
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Muong Thanh Centre
Day 6: (Friday, 18 September, 2015) – Nha Trang to Phan Thiet
Today we drive south to the Phan Rang Area along Highway 1, passing through Phan Rang, Cam Ranh Bay and if possible, we will stop in Cam Ranh and visit the site of the 22nd Replacement Battalion, the 6th Convalescent Hospital, and the 14th Aerial Port. Upon arrival in Phan Rang, we will attempt to get a view of the Phan Rang Air Base and location of the Air Base Hospital. Time permitting we could visit the Cham Ruins, and visit the Saigon Ninh Chu Resort (former Private Resort of President Thieu). Overnight in Phan Thiet.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: The Sunny Beach
Day 7: (Saturday, 19 September, 2015) – Phan Thiet
Today is a free day in Phan Thiet. Lunch & Dinner on your own.
Meals: B/_/_ Hotel: The Sunny Beach
Day 8: (Sunday, 20 September, 2015) – Phan Thiet to Vung Tau
After breakfast, we head south along the coastal highway to see the Sand Dunes of Mui Ne, and continue on thru the desert to La Gi and Phan Thiet (home of 2nd/7th of the 1st Cav and later the HQ of the 3rd/506th Infantry, 101st Abn). We will visit LZ Betty, and the Phan Thiet Air Field. We will then continue south thru Long Hai on our way to Vung Tau for the night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Palace Vung Tau
Day 9: (Monday, 21 September, 2015) – Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City
On our way back to Ho Chi Minh City we will visit Lighthouse Mountain, Black Beach, the port, and other sites of interest. Along the way we will visit Long Bien and the former site of the 24th Evac Hospital, and get an aerial view of the Bien Hoa Air Force Base Runway. We then turn west again traveling back to Ho Chi Minh City where we go directly to our hotel.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 10: (Tuesday, 22 September, 2015) – Ho Chi Minh City
This morning we are up early and heading northwest on Highway 13. We will view Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain) in the distance. We then visit the Cu Chi Tunnels complex and the Cu Chi Airfield. On our way back to Saigon we will pass close to the Iron Triangle and through Hobo Woods.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 11: (Wednesday, 23 September, 2015) – Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho
Early morning departure heading south on Highway 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, and its local houses, and workshops. After Lunch we visit the sites of the My Tho PBR Base, and Dong Tam Base. We continue south to Can Tho where we spend the night.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Golf Can Tho
Day 12: (Thursday, 24 September, 2015) – Can Tho
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 west and visit some sites around Can Tho. Areas of interest are Vi Thanh Airfield, Binh Thuy Airfield, and the Sa Dec Airfield and Heliport.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Golf Can Tho
Day 13: (Friday, 25 September, 2015) – Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City
This morning we head back to HCMC, arriving in the afternoon, you have the rest of the day to explore on your own. Dinner on your own tonight.
Meals: B/L/_ Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 14: (Saturday, 26 September, 2015) – Ho Chi Minh City
Today is a free day to explore Saigon on your own or for some last minute shopping. Lunch on your own today, but tonight we gather for our Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B/_/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 15: (Sunday, 27 September, 2015) – Return to CONUS
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 at approximately 3:30 p.m. this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
