Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 14 - 15 February, 2016) – Enroute
Report to International Terminal and proceed to the EVA Airlines ticketing counter for flight to Taipei. Lose one day crossing the International Dateline.
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Day 3: (Tuesday, 16 February, 2016) – 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 head into the center of Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese) and point out sites such as the U.S. Army 3rd Field Hospital and MACV. We finish our day at the US Embassy compound (now the US Consulate) to see the place where the Viet Cong sappers blew a hole in the compound wall and gained access to the Embassy grounds during the 1968 Tet Offensive. This evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B (in flight) /L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 4: (Wednesday, 17 February, 2016) – Ho Chi Minh City to Qui Nhon
After breakfast, we visit the Reunification Hall (the old SVN Presidential Palace). Next is the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Old Post Office. After lunch, we catch our flight to Phu Cat Airfield in Qui Nhon and check into our hotel for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Saigon Qui Nhon
Day 5: (Thursday, 18 February, 2016) – Qui Nhon to Nha Trang
This morning we check out the Qui Nhon Port Facilities, Army Depot, 85th Evac Hospital, and the LCU ramps. We then drive south on Highway 1, stopping at Tuy Hoa Airbase and some Cham ruins, before continuing to Nha Thang.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Green World Nha Trang
Day 6: (Friday, 19 February, 2016) – Nha Trang
Today is a free day to enjoy the local shops, the pool, or the beach. Lunch and Dinner are on your own today.
Meals: B/_/_ Hotel: Green World Nha Trang
Day 7: (Saturday, 20 February, 2016) – Nha Trang to Phan Thiet
Today we drive south stopping first at Cam Ranh Bay to visit the sites of the 22nd Replacement Battalion, the 6th Convalescent Hospital, and the 14th Aerial Port. We then head southwest to visit Phan Rang Airbase (which was built in 1942 by the Imperial Japanese Army, and later used by the French) and more Cham ruins. We continue to Phan Thiet where we check into our hotel for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Sunny Beach
Day 8: (Sunday, 21 February, 2016) – Phan Thiet
Today is a free day in this lovely town known best for its yearly production of millions of liters of nuoc mam (fermented fish sauce). Be sure to take a walk along the beach. Today lunch and dinner are on our own to sample some of the many fine seafood restaurants in this area.
Meals: B/_/_ Hotel: The Sunny Beach
Day 9: (Monday, 22 February, 2016) – Phan Thiet to Vung Tau
On our way to the old R&R Center at Vung Tau, we visit LZ Betty, Phan Thiet Airfield, the Mui Ne Sand Dunes, La Gi, and Long Hai.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Palace Vung Tau
Day 10: (Tuesday, 23 February, 2016) – Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City
Our first stop today is Lighthouse Mountain, then Black Beach. We continue to the Long Binh and visit the site of the 24th Evac Hospital. Next is the Bien Hoa Airbase.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 11: (Wednesday, 24 February, 2016) – Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh
Departing early, we make our way to the Operation Junction battle site of Ap Bau Bang. We also visit the base camp at Phuoc Vinh, as well as Darkhorse Base at Phu Loi. The base at Phu Loi was also originally built by the Japanese Imperial Army and was used later by the French to house Viet Minh POW’s. We then proceed to our hotel in Tay Ninh and retire for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Hoa Binh
Day 12: (Thursday, 25 February, 2016) – Tay Ninh to Ho Chi Minh City
arly today we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Next we arrive in time for the Noon Ceremony at the Cao Dai Temple. We will lunch at Ms. Tyiet’s restaurant, and before returning to Saigon, we will stop at Nui Ba Den (the Black Virgin Mountain).
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 13: (Friday, 26 February, 2016) – Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho
Leaving every early today, our first stop is Cha Tam Church where South Vietnam President Diem had fled and disguised himself as a priest during the 1963 coup. It was from this place that Diem was captured, taken away, and murdered. We then travel south to the town of My Tho in the Mekong Delta where we enjoy a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit Thoi Son Island (Coconut Island), local houses, and workshops. We then seek out the old My Tho PBR Base and Dong Tam Base. We continue south to the city of Can Tho and retire for the evening.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Gulf Can Tho
Day 14: (Saturday, 27 February, 2016) – HCan Tho to Ho Chi Minh City
Prior to returning to Saigon today, we board a boat and cruise the Cai Rang Floating Market. This evening all hands are required at our very special Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel: Asian Ruby
Day 15: (Sunday, 28 February, 2016) – Return to CONUS
After breakfast, we are free to relax or take a walk along old Tu Do Street (now Dong Khoi Street) to explore fascinating little shops where you can discover special gifts to bring home. At noon we transfer to Tan Son Nhut 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 the continental U.S. this same day.
Meals: B/L/D (in flight)
