Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 05 May - 06 May 2024) – Enroute

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, 07 May 2024) – Taipei to Da Nang

After a short layover in Taipei, we depart for Vietnam.  We arrive at 11:35 at Da Nang Airfield and proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, and clear customs.  As we depart the airport, we drive directly to the Marble Mountain complex.  This area is famous for their stone-sculpture industries.  These marble mountains are visually-striking monoliths that rise from the flat coastal plain and are home to Buddhist shrines and numerous caves.  We climb to the top of the largest monolith and explore the VC hospital area located deep within.  Next, we pass through the site of the Marble Mountain Air Facility (a U.S. helicopter base during the war).  Our last stop today will be for photos at My Khe Beach on the South China Sea.  My Khe was better known as China Beach which was used as an in-country R&R Center.  It was also known as Stack Arms by U.S. troops.  We then enter Da Nang City and check into our hotel on the Han River.  This evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.

Meals: L (in flight) /D

Day 4: (Wednesday, 08 May 2024) – Da Nang to Tam Ky

Departing early this morning, we head west on Thunder Road (Route 4).  Our first stop is Hill 55.  We then pass Hill 37, Dai Loc, and continue to Hill 65, Hill 26, Hill 52, and Thuong Duc.  Crossing Liberty Bridge, we stop for a pho lunch at My Son, after which we enter 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.  We continue west to An Hoa Regimental Combat Base, and then return east and encounter by Hill 119.  Riding evermore east, we parallel to the southern edge of Go Noi Island until we hit Highway 1 where we turn south to our hotel in Tam Ky.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 5: (Thursday, 09 May 2024) – Tam Ky

This morning we are up early and heading south on Highway 1.  Our objectives today are Duc Pho, Hai Mon, and Nui Dau Hill.  We return to Tam Ky for the evening.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 6: (Friday, 10 May 2024) – Tam Ky

Today is dedicated to areas west and south.  Today we head west to LZ Bowman.  Returning to Highway 1, we travel south to Hill 43 (Division Artillery Hill) across from the Chu Lai main gate.  LZ Hurricane is next.  Entering Chu Lai Airfield, we stop for lunch at Linda's on Crescent Beach.  After lunch, we head up to Ky Ha.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 7: (Saturday, 11 May 2024) – Tam Ky to Hoi An

Today we head north past Hawk Hill (a Vietnamese boot camp of sorts).  Turning southwest on old Route 535 and take a Kodak moment at LZ Baldy.  Continuing SW, we enter the Que Son Valley, which was the scene of Operations Swift and Essex, and where Father Capodanno received posthumously, the Medal of Honor for his heroics.  Driving into the Valley of Death, we stop at Hiep Duc town.  Moving north, we come upon Que Son Town, where we again turn west.  We drive over the Que Son Pass into Antenna Valley.  Returning east over the Pass, we stop at LZ Ross before following old Route 534 to Highway 1 and north to Hoi An for the evening.  Hoi An, a beautiful well-preserved ancient trading port, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Its temples and architecture show the different cultural influences of its time and its lovely Japanese covered bridge is unique to this town.  Luckily for Hoi An, its importance waned long before the War, and it was left essentially isolated and relatively untouched.  Dinner is on our own tonight.  Be sure to sample some of the many local restaurants and night spots in this fascinating little city.

Meals: B/L/_

Day 8: (Sunday, 12 May 2024) – Hoi An

Today is free day.  You can relax by the pool, or you may want to roam by yourselves the streets and shops of this ancient port city, formerly known as Faifo, where Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese traders once walked.  The town ceased to be an important trade harbor when its inlet shoaled, and the port was moved north to Da Nang.  Luckily for Hoi An, its importance waned long before the American War, and it was left essentially isolated and relatively untouched.  There are literally hundreds of amazing little shops in this town.  Lunch and dinner are on our own.  Don't miss the Night Market, just a short walk from our hotel.

Meals: B/_/_

Day 9: (Monday, 13 May 2024) – Hoi An to Hue

This morning we drive north on the beach road, pointing to interesting sites along the way.  After a quick photo stop at Red Beach II (where the Marines first landed in 1965), we make our way up the breathtaking Hai Van Pass (Pass of the "High Clouds"), stopping at the top to explore old French bunkers and to take in parting views of Da Nang Bay.  The Hai Van Pass had been a vital strategic military foothold for the Chinese for centuries and was used by the French during France's Indochina War, and by the U.S. in America's Vietnam War.  Bunkers and fortifications dot the hillsides here.  Later, we stop at an old bunker for a view of Phu Bai Airfield.  A little farther north and to the west stood Camp Eagle, home of the 101st Airborne Division.  We then arrive in Hue City (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam).  After lunch, we begin our study of the 1968 Tet Offensive battle for the southern city.  We follow the actions of 1/1 and 2/5, covering, among others, the old Shell Gas Station, the Football Stadium, the former MACV Compound, Tran Cao Van Street, Joan of Arc Girl's High School, Hue University, Treasury, Public Health Building, Provincial Capital Building area, and the Church of the Redemptress.  Finally, we retire to our hotel (which was the ARVN BOQ during the war) on the southern bank of the Perfume River.  Be sure to enjoy the hotel pool.  After dinner, you can roam the fascinating shops on Le Loi Street until late at night.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 10: (Tuesday, 14 May 2024) – Hue to Dong Ha

Heading north on Highway 1, we pass Camp Evans before coming upon the My Chanh Bridge.  It was here that the ARVN held the line against invading NVA forces during the 1972 Easter Offensive and from which they launched their counterattack to drive Ho's forces back toward the DMZ.  North of here is the section of Highway 1 known as the 'Highway of Horror.'  During the NVA's 1972 Easter Offensive,' thousands of local refugees - most of which were old people, women, and children trying to flee south - were mercilessly slaughtered by communist NVA troops and artillery.  The north side of the bridge is where the worst of the massacre occurred.  Massive numbers of people were trapped because the downed bridge prevented escape.  Soon thereafter we enter Quang Tri City stopping at Long Hung Church, a Catholic Church in which ARVN troops sought refuge during the 1972 Easter Offensive invasion from the North and in which NVA troops sought refuge as they retreated during the ARVN counterattack.  The church has been left as it stood after the battle, with scars from grenades, rockets, and bullets.  The church provides a shocking and violent reality of the 'Battle of 81 Days and Nights' for the city and its Citadel.  The battle is infamous for the huge amount of ordnance fired by both ARVN and NVA forces.  We then cross the Quang Tri Bridge, pass the Ai Tu Airfield (Quang Tri Airbase), entering Dong Ha we stop at the Lew Puller School.  After lunch, we travel north to FSB Gio Linh (Forward) which overlooks the DMZ from the Republic side.  We then venture into the DMZ where we walk the Hien Luong Bridge (better known as the Peace Bridge) into North Vietnam.  The Peace Bridge crosses over the Song Ben Hai (this river was the only true physical demarcation between the North and the South).  Returning south, we turn west past U.S. base Alpha-3 to Alpha-4, better known as Con Thien (The Hill of Angels).  A-4 was the northwestern anchor of the McNamara Line.  Traveling south on the Rough-Rider Road, we cross 2/4's Bastard's Bridge (aka The Washout) and stop at Charlie-2.  Continuing south, we pass Charlie-3 and stop for photos at the Cam Lo Bridge.  We then return to Dong Ha on Route 9.  Today, we have traversed the four quadrants of Leatherneck Square: Dong Ha + Gio Linh + Con Thien + Cam Lo.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 11: (Wednesday, 15 May 2024) – Dong Ha to Lao Bao

This morning we head west on Route 9 (the main U.S. supply route from the coast to Khe Sanh).  Today, we will traverse the route from the Dong Ha all the way to the border with Laos.  Our first stop is Camp Carroll, the joint-forces artillery plateau.  After walking across the Khe Gia Bridge, we stop at the Rockpile for photos.  We come upon other sites that were of military importance during the war, including Vandergrift Combat Base (LZ Stud), Ca Lu, and the Da Krong Bridge.  Crossing the Hairpin, we enter Khe Sanh Village, where we stop for lunch.  Next, we venture north to Khe Sanh Combat Base where we spend ample time exploring.  Under JFK, Khe Sanh Combat Base was a U.S. jungle outpost close to the border with Laos.  The area grew into a major military base and airstrip under LBJ and was the scene of a 77-day siege in 1968, as well as many vicious hill battles in 1967-68.  Our last stop is Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, overrun in the first-ever NVA tank assault.  Co Roc Mountain soars to the heavens just across the border.  Tonight, we stay in the village of Lao Bao in somewhat Spartan accommodations.

Meals: B/L/D

Day 12: (Thursday, 16 May 2024) – Lao Bao to Hue

After breakfast and a visit to the local market, head back to Hue.  Tonight, dinner is on our own.  We've eaten a lot of Vietnamese food up to now, so you may want to grab a pizza or a burger at the DMZ Bar, just a short walk from our hotel.

Meals: B/L/_

Day 13: (Friday, 17 May 2024) – Hue to Da Nang

This morning we move to the LCU Ramp and board our Dragon Boat for a cruise up the beautiful Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda.  It was from this pagoda that in 1963 Monk Thich Quang Duc was driven to Saigon where he immolated himself in protest to the SVN government's oppressive treatment of the Buddhist people.  We then enter the Citadel with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to the northern battle, including the Chuck Meadows and Dong Ba Gates and Phase Line Green.  We finish at the Imperial Palace gate blown by L/3/5, which allowed the ARVN to enter and lower the NVA flag that had flown from the main flagpole for 24 days.  Boarding our motorcoach, we bid Hue goodbye and travel south on Highway 1, stopping in the fishing village of Lang Co for a seafood lunch.  We then transit under the Hai Van Pass through the 6 km-long Hai Van Tunnel.  Once again, dinner is on our own.

Meals: B/L/_

Day 14: (Saturday, 18 May 2024) – Da Nang

After a late breakfast, you may want to relax at the pool, get a massage, take a walk on the riverside promenade, or just relax.  The afternoon is free, and lunch is on our own, but tonight all hands are required at our very special Farewell Dinner.

Meals: B/_/D

Day 15: (Sunday, 19 May 2024) – Da Nang to CONUS

After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to Da Nang Airfield for our flight to Taipei.  Departing from Taipei, we gain a day enroute by re-crossing the International Dateline, arriving in the continental United States this same day.

Meals: B/L/D (in flight)

Tour Price: $4,995.00 / Per Person is based upon Double Occupancy (2 people per room)
Single Supplement is $598.00

Ground Only Price: $3,995.00 / 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.

• 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).