DAY 1 | January 5th This morning, we will be taking a short flight to Hanoi, where you will be released into the wonderful chaos of the former French Colonial City. Our sightseeing tour will include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Hanoi Old Quarter before dinner at the Press Club Restaurant. [Overnight – Hanoi (B, D)]

 

Day 2 | January 6th Another exciting day in Hanoi awaits us as we explore the Vietnam Military History Museum, as well as the two sites where the wreckage of two B52′s shot down were reassembled on the spot. We will also visit the Hanoi Hilton where many American POW’s were incarcerated – including John McCain. Embrace the chaos of Hanoi traffic, as we venture off to a traditional Vietnamese restaurant for dinner. [Overnight – Hanoi (B, D)]

 

Day 3 | January 7th Today we leave for our flight from Phu Bai airport to Hue City, the capital of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. We will start our sightseeing city tour including the Citadel and a park filled with captured US military tanks and equipment open on display. After exploring the forbidden purple city, we will then visit the Thien Mu Pagoda before touring outside of the City to view defence bunkers overlooking the Perfume River. Dinner at a local restaurant in town will entertain us later this evening. [Overnight – Hue (B, D)]

 

Day 4 | January 8th After breakfast, we will head to the north of Hue to A Sầu Valley. Along the way will stop over at some former battlefields such as Camp Eagles, The Fire Bases of Birmingham, A Luoi and the infamous Hamburger Hill. On this trip today you will be able to meet and exchange with some local specialists in the area, meet some Vietnamese War Veterans, and hear their incredible stories. [Overnight – Hue (B, L, D)]

 

Day 5 | January 9th After breakfast, embark on a full-day trip to the former battlefields along the Vietnamese DMZ. Under the terms of the 1954 Geneva accords, Vietnam was split along the 17th parallel. The demarcation line ran along the Ben Hai River and was sealed by a strip of no-man’s-land 5km wide on each side. We will be visiting some historic sites here such as the Khe Sahn, Hien Luong Bridge, the Rock Pile and Camp Carrol as well as the Vinh Moc Tunnels before returning back the Highway No.1 for our drive back to Hue. [Overnight – Hue (B, L)]

 

Day 6 | January 10th Da Nang, the third largest city in Vietnam, is on today's agenda. On March 8th 1965, the US 9th Marine Brigade landed on Red Beach 2 in Da Nang, officially marking the America's involvement in the Vietnam War. Along the way we will stop over at Lang Co Beach, South China Beach, Cham Museum and Marble Mountain. After, checking in to our hotel in Hoi An, we will take a walking tour of the Japanese Bridge and the ancient houses of this historically significant port. [Overnight – Hoi An (B, L, D)]

 

Day 7 | January 11th Today enjoy a full-day visiting the former Chu Lai Base, or Cam Doi Base in the Quang Ngai province before a visit to pay our homage at My Lai, the scene of the massacre of civilians on March 16th 1968. [Overnight – Hoi An (B)]

 

Day 8 | January 12th We transfer to the airport in Da Nang for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City – formerly Saigon. Upon arrival our driver will pick us up and transfer us to our hotel for check in. A City tour of Saigon including some former war sites such as the Reunification Palace, War Museum, China Town and finally, the Notre Dame Cathedral which will conclude our day. [Overnight – Saigon (B)]

 

Day 9 | January 13th This morning, we will start our guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels. By 1965, 250km of tunnels criss-crossed the Cu Chi and surrounding areas – just across the Saigon River was the notorious guerrilla power base known as the Iron Triangle. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the American war in that it allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area, only 30-40 km outside of Saigon. At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border. The network, parts of which were several levels deep, included innumerable trap doors, especially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life in the American War must have been like. The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise we would not be able to enter them!) For those interested there’s even the opportunity to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Allegedly the old wooden targets resembled US Marines! Upon our return to Saigon, you will have some free time to explore the city on your own. [Overnight – Saigon (B, L)]

 

Day 10 | January 14th Today, a river cruise along the Mekong Delta where you will cruise through one of the most perilous battle areas during the War. Today, it is a scenic journey with delightful venues and islands and a chance to relax before returning back to your hotel for overnight. Take this day as a chance to reflect on what we've just explored, and the journey we have been on. [Overnight – Saigon (B, D)]

 

Day 11 | January 15th Depart for Ho Chi Minh Airport to fly to Hong Kong.[B, D served on board]