Vietnam Veteran tour: The DMZ And Battle Field
Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D)
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, Welcome and transfer to hotel by our guides with signboard, check in, relax. This evening, your guide will take you out to sample some of Hanoi’s superb cuisine. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
This morning we start city tour with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on Monday, friday & November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city, continue to the Army Museum, nearby Flag Tower Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam, the Restored Sword Lake(Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple. Evening, enjoy water puppet show - a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hue city tour (B, L)
Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Hue. Pick up and transfer to hotel for breakfast and freshen up. We then set out for the exploration of Hue"s famous highlights, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. In the surrounding countryside there is the picturesque Thiem Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, Emperor Khai Dinh. Transfer back to Hue center, do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the speciality of Hue city.
Day 4: Hue – Aluoi (B, L)
This morning we start our guided tour and driving for the township A luoi. Exactly to A shah valley on the Laos border south of A luoi. In May 1969 around 700 lives were lost in 9days on the slopes of Apia hill (70 American and about 633 NVA troops died)-better known to cinema audiences as HAMBURGER HILL. Next will be visited Hong Bac tunnels and the village of Ta Oil people in A shau before returning back to Hue for one more night.
Day 5: Hue – Danang – Hoian ancient town (B, L)
We will drive for about 90km to Danang. On march 8th 1965, the US 9th marine brigade landed red beach 2 in Danang, officially marked the American war. Stop over at Non Nuoc beach, and The Cham museum. Once arrival to Hoian ancient town, check in hotel then start our waking tour for sightseeing this ASIA’ major port in the 17century, including the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. Passing many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town"s multi-cultural past. The town is also famous for it"s shops in particular it"s large number of tailors. Overnight hotel in Hoian.
Day 6: Hoian – Mylai – Hoian (B, L)
Today we will have a full-day of visiting to former Chu Lai base or Cam doi base in Quang Ngai province. Next to visit the MYLAI where was happened the massacre of civilians on March 16th 1968. End of this day, we return back hoi an. Overnight hotel in Hoian.
Day 7: Hoian – Danang – Saigon city (B, L)
After breakfast, car transfers to airport for the flight to Saigon. Pick up at Tan Son Nhat airport, tranfer to city center, check in, relax. Afternoon we discover dynamic city with the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
Day 8: Saigon – Cuchi (B, L)
After breakfast, we drive to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s, let the Viet Minh and, later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was several stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth, going to school. The ground here is hard clay, which made this whole thing possible. But even so, the planning and construction was incredible. People dug all this with hand tools, filling reed baskets and dumping the dirt into bomb craters. They installed large vents so they could hear approaching helicopters, smaller vents for air and baffled vents to dissipate cooking smoke. There were also hidden trap doors and gruesomely effective bamboo-stake booby traps. Today, the trees and bushes have grown back. And since 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors. Drive back to Hochiminh City.
Day 9: Sai Gon – My Tho Mekong tour (B,L)
After breakfast, a two hour drive to My Tho will expose the color outskirt life as well as picturesque rice fields along the journey. Upon arrival, get on a boat trip up Mekong River with islet stop at Thoi Son to taste seasonal fruits, enjoy traditional folk songs. Visit the authentic life of the local and challenge your bargaining power at cottage handicraft shops. An adventurous sampan ride in palm shading creeks will be the next experience of the river side region. Return to Ho Chi Minh in the afternoon. Over night hotel in HCM city.
Day 10: Sai Gon – Vung Tau battle field (B,L)
After breakfast, we escort you to Vung Tau by road (around 100km distance, 2 and a half hours’ drive). We will visit Long Tan Cross, Horse Shoe and Long Phuoc Tunnels en route. Arrive at your resort in Vung Tau and stay overnight. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant which we carefully choose from many.
Day 11: Vung Tau – Sai Gon (B,L)
After breakfast we will visit Ba Ria Orphanage and enjoy some free time on the beach. In the afternoon, we will drive back to Ho Chi Minh and visit Nui Dat (SAS Hill) en route. We drive back to your hotel in HCM city.
Day 12: Saigon departure (B)
Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Say goodbye Vietnam.
End of Services,
B: Breakfast, L: Lunch; D: Diner