Veterans' Return

15 days / 14 nights

Overview

The areas of former military operations are major stops in our exciting trip. During your visit time you will see the many changes have taken place since the end of the Indochina conflict and renew old acquaintances as you swop war stories with your friends.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon)
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, meet our guide for transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we tour to the former Presidential Palace which witnessed the rise and fall of four presidents before the North and South Vietnam reunified, and War Remnant Museum which offers vivid insights on the Vietnam War. Evening welcome drink and dinner on the rooftop café of the Rex hotel, a familiar landmark for Americans during the Vietnam War. Overnight in Saigon (D).
Day 2: Saigon - Cu Chi & Tay Ninh
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and leave Saigon for a visit to the former operational areas of the 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning). The first stop is at the old Tan Son Nhat West Gate, where a violent battle between the Viet Cong and the Air Cav took place during the Tet Offensive in 1968. We continue our drive along HW22 (formerly HW1) over the Hoc Mon bridge to Cu Chi. At Cu Chi, visit the Military Museum before driving through the former Cu Chi base camp, the Headquarters of the 25th Infantry Division, followed by a visit to the VC underground tunnels and the Cu Chi Military Cemetery in Ho Bo woods. Lunch is at Ben Nay restaurant. We travel to Nui Ba Den where you can ride the gondola chairlift up to the temples built on the slope overlooking the Dau Tieng Reservoir and Tay Ninh province. Check in to hotel. Dinner is at your hotel. Overnight in Tay Ninh (B, L, D).
Day 3: Tay Ninh
Drive 60km to visit Katum and other FSB near the border between Vietnam and Cambodia with a stop at the French Fort. Drive back to Tay Ninh to visit the Cao Dai Holy See temple and attend the noon service. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Continue to Tay Ninh market before returning to hotel. Tonight, local veterans living in Tay Ninh will be your hosts for dinner. Overnight in Tay Ninh (B, L, D).
Day 4: Tay Ninh - Saigon via Dau Tieng - Ben Cat - Lai Khe - An Loc
Drive through the Iron Triangle in the early morning, the former preparation areas of the 1st Division (The ‘Big Red One’). Our first stop is Dau Tieng base camp, then through former Michelin rubber plantation which houses Lai Khe base, the 1st Division’s headquarters during the war, to the 173rd Airborne Division’s base. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Drive through War Zone D to Dong Xoai and former Phuoc Vinh base, before returning to Saigon for the evening. Overnight in Saigon (B, L).
Day 5: Saigon/Pleiku (Air) - Kontum
Transfer to the airport for a mid-morning flight to Pleiku, considered the most strategically important position of the US Military in the central highlands. On arrival, we drive 40km to Kontum and check into the hotel before continuing to Dak To airstrip, the former base camp of the 4th (Ivy) Division, former battle sites along the road leading to Ben Het, and the Special Force camp near Cambodian border. Return to Kontum for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit the wooden Church and the orphanage. Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant. Overnight in Kontum (B, L, D).
Day 6: Kontum - Pleiku
In the morning, head south to Dragon Mountain and Camp Enari, the former 4th Infantry Division headquarters. Continue to Cacteka plantation and Bau Can, the former operational areas of the 4th Division, and if possible, visit the Oasis camp and Jackson Hole. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Return to Pleiku in the afternoon and visit the local market. Dinner is at a local restaurant. Overnight in Pleiku (B, L, D).
Day 7: Pleiku - Qui Nhon via An Khe & Bong Son
Drive along HW19 through the Mang Yang Pass with stop at An Khe, site of Camp Radcliff, and Hon Kon Mountain, the former base camp of the 1st Calvary. After driving 150km, we turn off HW 19 to head north along HW1 to Bong Son area to explore the former AO of the 1st Cavalry and 173rd Brigade in Binh Dinh Province, including LZ English. Lunch is at a local restaurant before returning to Qui Nhon for the evening. Dinner is at hotel restaurant. Overnight in Qui Nhon (B, L, D).
Day 8: Qui Nhon - Nha Trang
Head south on HW1 to Tuy Hoa with a stop at Tuy Hoa airport where the 4th Division was first deployed, and visit the Cham tower. After lunch, we continue driving along the coastal road to Nha Trang, stopping for photos and sightseeing and views of the scenic Vung Ro bay, once the VC supplies distribution point on the Ho Chi Minh trail. Arrive in Nha Trang and check into hotel. Dinner is at a local restaurant. Overnight in Nha Trang (B, L, D).
Day 9: Nha Trang
You are free to spend the day at your leisure - relax on the beach or hike around the city. Overnight in Nha Trang (B).
Day 10: Nha Trang / Danang (Air) - Hoi An
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Danang. Upon arrival, we visit the Cham Museum and the Marble Mountains, an ideal sanctuary for VCs during the war. Then we travel to China Beach, the former playground ground of the US Marines, for lunch. Afterwards, we drive to Hoi An, the World Heritage-listed ancient town boasting the vestiges of an affluent civilization dating back to 17th – 19th centuries. Check into hotel. Then enjoy a walking tour to visit the old merchant’s house with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings; and the colorful market with stalls brimming with tropical specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day. An optional stop, subject to availability, is the private home of Diep Dong Nguyen with a stunning collection of artifacts ranging from pottery and seals to paintings, painting, money and old Hoi An photos. Dinner is at the local Tam Tam restaurant where The Quiet American was shot. Overnight in Hoi An (B, L, D).
Day 11: Hoi An - Hue
After leisure breakfast, drive 2.5 hours to Hue via the scenic Hai Van Pass - meaning Pass of the Ocean Clouds – which boasts a spectacular panoramic view of the central coastline from the summit. We will also pass by Phu Bai and Camp Eagle. Lunch en route. On arrival in Hue, check into hotel. We will take a dragon boat upstream on the Perfume River in the afternoon to visit Thien Mu pagoda before visiting the Imperial Citadel. Dinner is at a restored Royal home serving Royal Hue cuisine. Overnight in Hue (B, L, D).
Day 12: DMZ
Depart for the DMZ zone in the early morning. Places of military significance in the area include the former American military base of Khe Sanh, and other operational sites such as Rock Pile, Camp Carol, Dakrong suspension bridge, Tacon airfields, and Lang Vay special force camp. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the old citadel of Quang Tri, the site of the bloody battle during the Eastertide in 1972. Drive back to Hue for the night. Overnight in Hue (B, L).
Day 13: Hue/Hanoi (Air)
In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arriving at Noi Bai airport, our guide will bring you to the hotel for check in before beginning a city tour including the Army Museum, Truc Bach Lake where an American B52 shot down and the spot where John McCain's plane was shot down during the war. We then traced his path to the Hoa Lo prison ("Hanoi Hilton") and learn about the decades preceding its use as a place for holding American POWs. It was used by the French to imprison Vietnamese patriots. Lunch is at Wild Rice restaurant. Afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight in Hanoi (B, L).
Day 14: Ha Long
Embark on a 7am 3.5-hour drive to Ha Long Bay, and board our private junk to cruise among 2,000 limestone islands and explore the grottoes and caves. Fresh seafood lunch is served aboard. After a 4-hour cruise, drive back to Hanoi. Farewell dinner tonight is at Club D’Orientale restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi (B, L, D).
Day 15: Departure
The morning is free to be spent at your leisure until the transfer to the airport for departure flight. End of services (B).

Cost

Tour cost is upon your request !
 
You are interested in of this tour, please feel free to contact us at booking@asianatravel.com.vn or info@asianatravel.com.vn. One of our staffs will contact you within 24 hours when we receive your request.
 
We are here to meet and exceed all of your requirements and expectations !

Trip note

* Tour code: VNVTR-02

 

 

* Included:

• Hotel accommodations with daily breakfast

• Private airport transfers and transportation on tour

• Sightseeing with English speaking guide

• Admission fees and permits as per the itinerary

• Private boat cruises

• Domestic airfare SGN-PXU; NHA-DAD; HUI-HAN (economy class)

• Domestic airport taxes

• Meals as indicated (meals only)

• Mineral water and cold towel on car/van/bus

 

 

* Excluded:

• Vietnam visa

• Other meals

• Drinks

• Early check-in and late check-out

• Other flights

• Travel insurance

• Personal expenses

• Others items not mentioned in the itinerary

Destination Info

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east. With a population of over 86 million, Vietnam is the 13th most populous country in the world.

The people of Vietnam regained independence and broke away from China in AD 938 after their victory at the Battle of Bạch Đằng River (938). Successive dynasties flourished along with geographic and political expansion deeper into Southeast Asia, until it was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century. Efforts to resist the French eventually led to their expulsion from the country in the mid-20th century, leaving a nation divided politically into two countries. Fighting between the two sides continued during the Vietnam War, ending with a Communist victory in 1975.
Emerging from this prolonged military engagement, the war-ravaged nation was politically isolated. The government’s centrally planned economic decisions hindered post-war reconstruction and its treatment of the losing side engendered more resentment than reconciliation. In 1986, it instituted economic and political reforms and began a path towards international reintegration. By 2000, it had established diplomatic relations with most nations. Its economic growth had been among the highest in the world in the past decade. These efforts culminated in Vietnam joining the World Trade Organization in 2007 and its successful bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2008.

Maps & Photos

Independence Palace

War remnants museum

Cu Chi tunnels gate

Pleiku city nowadays

Nha Trang city

Hoian ancient town

Hue citadel capital

DMZ area

Hanoi - capital of Vietnam

Halong bay

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