Incredible Vietnam Tour for Veterans 11 Days

Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. Time for relaxing after the journey.

With time permits, you may have time for a leisure ride by small electric carts (or riskshaw) around the Hoan Kiem lake and the Hanoi Old Quarter. This bustling are of Hanoi is a maze of shopping streets and restaurants with a hotchpotch of architecture - traditional tube houses, religious buildings, artisans’ workshops and cottages, colonial houses and modern concrete edifices.

This morning we pay tribute to the great man, Ho Chi Minh, the liberator of Vietnam, his life and his achievements. You will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday and during the months of September and October) and his former residence (closed on Monday and Friday.
You will then visit the One-Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam and built more than 1,000 years ago. It is here that scholars and learned people studied under the influence of the Confucius doctrine belief and established the foundation stone of Vietnamese literary education. Learn about the influence of the Chinese beliefs that are still prevalent in modern day Vietnam.
This afternoon you will visit the Hanoi Army Museum to track down the paths of the various emperors that are revered as the great Warriors and founders of Vietnam. The museum is arranged in a series of galleries that start with the period of Chinese colonisation, moving through to the French, on to the American War and then finally concludes with Vietnams most recent skirmishes.
The next visit to the "Hanoi Hilton" (dubbed by the Americans that were imprisoned here) can inspire sorrow, disgust, and, depending on your politics, engenders different flavours of outrage before  return to your hotel.

Picked up at all hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter area. Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Harbor between 11:45 and 12:00, guests will be welcomed aboard the Cozy Bay Premium Cruise for a 5-6 hour journey along the renowned two-day sleeper boat cruise route. Lunch will be served on the boat as guests enjoy the striking passages, uninhabited islets, and outcrops, each named imaginatively by locals. The journey continues with a visit to Bo Hon archipelago at 13:45-14:00, where guests can explore Surprising Cave, adorned with stalagmites and stalactites resembling various sea creatures. They can then opt for kayaking or a bamboo boat ride in Luon Cave, discovering its beautiful lagoon. A visit to Titov Island follows, offering a sandy beach against a backdrop of towering limestone mountains, with the opportunity to climb Titov Peak for a panoramic view of the bay. At 16:30, the cruise returns to Tuan Chau harbor, where guests can enjoy a sunset party on the upper deck with tea, cakes, music, and the company of fellow travelers amidst the iconic natural scenery. The journey concludes with a bus ride back to Hanoi, with a short break en route.

This morning transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Hue by VN1543 (11:50 – 13:00) – Subject to change. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel in Hue
Your excursion today comprises of a visit the Hue Royal Citadel. The Citadel is situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River. Built by Emperor Gia Long commencing 1804 it was designed for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his household. The Citadel is a square 2 km wall  encompassing 3 walled enclosures; the Citadel, Kinh Thanh Hue, the Yellow  Imperial city, Hoang Thanh and in the centre the Forbidden Purple city Tu Cam Thanh where the Emperor lived. The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

You then drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Legend has it that it was at this place the Heavenly Lady (Thien Mu) appeared in the Nguyen Lord’s dream and advised him on the place to set up the capital. Visitors to the pagoda today can also contemplate the car which on 11 June 1963 Thich Quang Duc the Buddhist Monk drove to the scene in Saigon where he set himself on fire in protest of the southern regime’s suppression of Buddhism. His heart was said to have remained alive even after his remains were cremated.

During the second Indochina War (Vietnam American War), the Ben Hai River at the 17th parallel was the demarcation line between Northern and Southern Vietnam. This created a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of five kilometres north and south from the river. However, the Southern area of the DMZ was one of the bloodiest battlefields during the war.
This full day tour to the DMZ will take you to some of the war sites, including the Ben Hai River, Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Khe Sanh military base and Dong Ha Town. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a simple restaurant in Vinh Moc or Dong Que. On the way back to Hue, stop at the Ancient Citadel of Quang Tri which was built in 1824, during the 4th year of the reign of Minh Mang. The citadel is approximately 60 km north of Hue. Minh Mang was considered a scholar not a warrior, but safely guarded the territories of Vietnam during his reign.
Overnight in Hue

In the morning, we start the spectacular drive over Hai Van Pass to Danang where you will then arrive oat your hotel by lunchtime. Then it is time for a ride back in history!
During the American war, the military Jeep was considered the king of the battlefield carrying soldiers, wounded men and many supplies for the war, on almost every terrain. When the war ended, many jeeps were left by the American troops. This afternoon you will be in one of these restored military jeeps…. Where you can experience what it was like to be an American soldier travelling in this unique vehicle.

Your journey will take you along the coast line in warm and fresh air; you will be passing the Marble Mountains Airbase that was once a US Marine base. Visit the Military Museum in the centre of Danang City with many different US weapons and military equipment captured during the war. Drive along the Han River and pass over Thuan Phuoc suspension bridge, crossing the estuary with scenic views of the fishing villages, Danang Bay, Son Tra Peninsula, etc.
Enjoy a photo stop at the fishing village, and then drive up Son Tra Peninsular called the Monkey Mountain by the American GIs. The steep ride along zig zag paths culminates in breathtaking views of jungles, waterfalls, mountains and beaches.
After a break with photo opportunities on the summit and at a former US helicopter landing zone, drive downhill back to the hotel along coconut-palm flanked waterways
 

In the morning, drive to My Son, the Imperial City of the Champa empire between the 4th and 12th century. My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious ruins comprising more than 70 architectural remains and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way back short stop to visit the Sa Huynh Champa Culture Museum in Tra Kieu. Continue to Hoi An.
In the afternoon, discover Hoi An during a leisurely walking tour. Known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was one of the major trading centres of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a mixed Chinese, Vietnamese, French and Japanese architecture with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. Many of the houses are constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs.

You will visit some of the historic merchant and community houses, places of worship and the famous Japanese covered bridge. One of the interesting places to drop in en-route would be Diep Dong Nguyen’s house. Mr. Diep is a famous collector and is said to posses the best money collection in Vietnam.

Enjoy Hoi An by night with dinner at a selected refined restaurant. If you happen to visit the ancient town on the full moon night (15th day Lunar calendar), streets in the ancient town turn into romantic pedestrian lanes. Electric lights give place to colourful lanterns – symbols of Hoi An. Poem reading and reciting; Bai Choi traditional opera and other cultural activities take place at public spaces in the ancient town. The Hoai River is studded with myriads of flower lanterns set afloat by pilgrims who come to make a wish.
 

Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, pick up and  transfer to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. The Cu Chi Tunnel system had been created long time back, from 1948 to assist Viet Minh in the combat with French. And it was continuing built over 25 years later. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a free fire zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors.
In the afternoon, we visit the War Remnants Museum. This museum primarily depicts the American war and the hardships experienced on both sides. Later travel to meet with a war time photographer at his studio.
Transfer to a coffee shop right at the historical relic Secret Box and tunnel of the Saigon Rangers,  used to be the hiding place of weapons, containing nearly 2 tons of weapons to prepare for the Tet Offensive 1969. After the battle, the house fell into the hands of the United States, but the United States did not know there was a weapons vault underneath.
In here, you can just drink coffee, just explore the traces of the forces of the ‘legend’ in the past.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh. 

An early morning start to drive along the highway No 1 towards Bien Hoa and Long Binh, the former USARV (The U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam) head quarters.  Long Binh Post was located on the east of Đồng Nai river, 20 km northeast from Saigon (now called Hồ Chí Minh City). The base functioned as a U.S. Army base, logistics center, and major command headquarters for United States Army Vietnam (USARV). Long Binh Post was 7 km southeast from Biên Hòa Air Base. Long Binh Post was also unofficially known as "Long Binh Junction, influenced by the widely used initials of then-President Lyndon B. Johnson.
By mid-1967, United States Army, Vietnam (USARV), 1st Logistical Command and many other Army units dispersed in Saigon were moved to Long Binh Post to resolve centralization, security, and troop billeting issues. Long Binh Post was a sprawling logistics facility and the largest U.S. Army base in Vietnam, with a peak of 60,000 personnel in 1969.
The Viet Cong attacked the Long Binh ammunition supply point on 4 February 1967 destroying at least 15,000 high explosive 155 mm artillery projectiles. The base was attacked again during the Tet Offensive as well as 1969.
This area now is transformed into industrial parks developed by foreign investment. Along the way we also have a chance to make stop over Di An and Bear Cat. Turning southeast we are using slightly different route passing by the 11th Armored Cave’s former headquarters and Xuan Loc, the site of the last fierce ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) /NVA (the Army of the Republic of Vietnam) battle in 1975 before the fall of Saigon.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Morning we leave Saigon for My Tho. First visit Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda –one of the most beautiful and famous landmarks in the region.
Upon arrival, board a motorboat and head out on the mighty Mekong to Xuan Dong Islet. In contrast to many of the overly visited Mekong islands, we choose Xuan Dong for its quieter, less crowded, and more authentic slice of Mekong life. Hop on a bike and savor the leisurely time to explore and pedal through this green and unspoiled island. Make frequent stops for photos and glimpses and of the daily lives of local villagers. We also visit a 'Coconut Artisan' village, enjoy some honeyed tea at the to check out the workshops where a range of coconut husk and fiber products are skillfully handcrafted.

We next take a small sampan along Vam Chua canal, gliding peacefully along the hidden waterways surrounded by immense variety of tropical plants. The quiet, rural setting is a welcome and restorative retreat to the frenetic buzz of Saigon which seems far, far away. We then stop for lunch at a local restaurant. At last we'll reboard the boat to head back to My Tho and start the drive back to Saigon.

Overnight at hotel

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight.  End of our services.