VIETNAM TOUR FOR VETERANS

* BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1 :  Arrival – Hanoi (-/-/-)
Day 2 :  Hanoi (B/-/-)
Day 3 :  Hanoi – Hue City Tour (B/-/-)
Day 4 :  Hue – Khe Sanh – Vinh Moc – Hue (B/-/-)
Day 5 :  Hue – Danang (B/-/-)
Day 6 :  Danang – Chu Lai – Danang (B/-/-)
Day 7 :  Danang – Nha Trang (B/-/-)
Day 8 :  Nha Trang – Da Lat (B/-/-)
Day 9 :  Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)
Day 10 : Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)
Day 11 : Ho Chi Minh City – Iron Triangle – Cu Chi Tunnels (B/-/-)
Day 12 : Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)
Day 13 :  Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B/-/-)

Day 1 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Arrival – Hanoi (-/-/-)

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia’s most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If time permits we enjoy a short cyclo ride through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. (image) O/N in Ha Noi.

Day 2 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Hanoi City Tour (B/-/-)

Begin your exploration of the capital with the city center, comprised of traditional pagodas and temples, colonial villas, and lakes set along tree-lined streets which move at pace much more congenial than Saigon. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday & whole November), Ho Chi Minh ‘s house on stilt and close to  this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. Later on, We follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the Army History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history. In the afternoon, we visit Huu Tiep lake and the Downed B-52, B52 museum and Hoa Lo Prison

O/N in Ha Noi

Day 3 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Hanoi – Hue City Tour (B/-/-)

At leisure until transfer to Hanoi domestic airport for flight to Hue, the former Royal City of the 13 ruling Nguyen dynasties. Upon arrival we visit the Imperial Citadel. And then we enjoy a boat trip on the Perfumes River to visit the beautiful riverside Thien Mu Pagoda – one of the oldest ancient (image) architectural structures for religious work ship in Hue. We have an enjoyable visit to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. This impressive landmark reflects the beautiful architecture, intricate decor and mysterious statues. Afterwards we take a short drive though the rolling hill to see the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and the famous Tu Hieu Pagoda. The sightseeing tour of Hue also includes with a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way we pass many fantastic eating spots, all ideal for visitors to sample some local delicacies.
O/N in Hue.

Day 4 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Hue – Khe Sanh – Vinh Moc – Hue (B/-/-)

After breakfast at your hotel, we start the tour to visit the other sites of the former firece battle fields on the DMZ including the former American bases of Rock Piles, Camp Carol and Khe Sanh,  take a short walk on the Ho Chi Minh trail (now under process to be the second trans-Vietnam traffic line). Our trip will continue to view the war-torn ruins of the Quang Tri church and the wreckage of an American tank. Then visit the Vinh Moc tunnels, dug to accommodate an underground village safe from American air raids in the north of the DMZ. Take a short photo stop(image) at the Hien Luong Bridge crossing Ben Hai River, the former borderline between the north and south Vietnam, and the site of the former Doc Mieu artilery base on the way to Dong Ha. It takes one and a half hour for returning to Hue.
O/N in Hue.

Day 5 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Hue – Da Nang (B/-/-)

Leave Hue for Danang, the fourth largest city of Vietnam. Coming here, we have chance to enjoy City tour, recalling the chaos of march 1975, when the Saigon government abandoned Danang and countless refugees fled the city. We also visit the beach where the US marines first came ashore, beginning major American involvement in Indochina. Arrival & check-in at hotel.
O/N in Danang.

Day 6 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Da Nang – Chu Lai – My Lai – Hoi An (B/-/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, we start to visit to Hoi An town with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, brightly painted temples and pagodas make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. During the 16th century traders stopped at this port when traveling en route to Malacca in Malaysia. Then we continue on the coastal plain to Chu Lai Air Base and see the work of the Skyhawks. The next stop is My Lai Incident at the Son My district. Travel along the rugged Animate mountains down to Route 1, sarcastically referred to as(image) “the street with joy” by French soldiers.  Check in hotel and overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Hoi An -Danang flight to Nha Trang (B/-/-)

Transfer to Danang for flight to Nha Trang – The city is flanked by nearly ten kilometers of prime beach where the water is warm year round. The average temperature in Nha Trang is 26 C. Nha Trang also has the lowest level of humidity in all of Vietnam. Today, Nha Trang ranks among the top of all beaches in Vietnam. Upon arrival, rest of the day at leisure.
O/N in Nha Trang.

Day 8 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Nha Trang – Da Lat (B/-/-)

Enjoy the turquoise water and fine sand beach. Take a boat to nearby Bamboo island for snorkeling, to the Mieu island for a visit to a fish breeding farm and to the Cham tower of Ponagar, a fine example of 2nd century Cham architecture. Depart Nha Trang for Dalat, 1500 m (image) above the sea level.  Refresh with a little bit cool of the highland city,  which was known as “A little Paris” or “a flower city a cool mountain resort with its lakes, waterfalls, evergreen forest and gardens make Dalat one of the most enjoyable places in Vietnam. You also have chance to visit the Central market – one of the mist beautiful markets in the highland with a wide array of flowers, fruits, and vegaetables. The last stop is Xuan Huong Lake – the most beautiful lake in Da Lat. It is approximately 5 km2. In 1919 a dam was formed on a branch of Camly river creating a small lake his man made lake was a site where many indigenous people of Langbian high land made their homes in the past and now the lake is also where many honeymooners come to visit.
O/N in Da Lat.

Day 9 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Da Lat – flight to Ho Chi Minh (B/-/-)

After bereakfast, we transfer to Lien Khuong airport, Dalat for flight to Ho Chi Minh City- the former capital of South Vietnam, which retains much flavor from the war era.
O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)

Among the sights of graceful women in Ao Dai and bustling streets, visit the busy riverfront, the (image) former Presidential Palace, photo stop at the former US Embassy, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the central market. In the afternoon, visit some of the war remnants such as the site where a Buddhist monk immolated himself in protest of the war and the church where President Diem was assassinated.
O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 11 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Ho Chi Minh City – Iron Triangle – Cu Chi Tunnels  (B/-/-)

This morning, we travel on National Route 13 past the town of Phu Cuong. Visit Phu Loi base, used to relocate villagers. Through the Cau Dinh jungle, pass a staging area of the 503rd Airbone Brigade. At Ben Cat, we have chance to see the site of the bases of the 173rd Airborne and the 11th Armored Cavalry. We arrive in Ben Suc, the Northern tip of the iron Triangle, and continue to Dau Tieng Reservoir and the esoteric Cao Dai temple at Tay Ninh. Finally, we visit the restored tunnels at Cu Chi before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 12 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Ho Chi Minh City – Long Tan – Nui Dat batte field- Vung Tau (B/-/-)

 This tour to Long Tan Nui Dat Battle Field is customized for veterans, particularly the Australian veterans to return to the battle field (in Long Tan Commune) which was used to be the shelter of the Australian soldiers as the ally of the United States in Vietnam War during 1966-1967. Joining the tour, you will pay a solem visit to the Long Tan Cross Memorial, the site of Horseshoe FSB and the Long Phuoc Tunnels. Furthermore, you also have time to gather and look back on one of the most well-known Australian engagements of the Vietnam War the Battle of Long Tan (18th August 1966). Especially, the Long Tan battle field has become the memorial site which annually welcomes a number of Australia veterans.

Our driver will meet you up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and our local guide will get on car on middle way (Vung Tau City). We will reach Long Tan Commune in Dat Do District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province after three-hour-drive.

Our first stop-over is Nui Dat SAS Hill, where you will be shown the helicopter parking and camping areas of soldiers and explained the important sites during the war. You will have an overview of the 4km circle of the Nui Dat base perimeter. Next, we will visit the rubber forest and pass Mong Ngua Mountain – which was used to be the shelter of Vietnamese soldiers.

Afterwards, we continue transferring to Long Tan Cross Memorial to commemorate the Australian and Vietnamese soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the war and then Long Phuoc Tunnels dug by the Viet Minh and Viet Cong for fighting and sheltering.
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Long Phuoc Tunnels is our last stop in a half-day tour to Long Tan – Nui Dat. We will drive back to Ba Ria for late lunch at a local restaurant. Our tour guide will recommend you some specialties of this land, it all depends on you. After a short rest, you will return to Ho Chi Minh City.

O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 13 – Vietnam Tours for US & Australian Veterans At Old Battle Fields : Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B/-/-)

Leisure time until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure flight.

INCLUDE:
•    Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
•    Air ticket Hanoi – Hue
•    Accommodation in hotels (shared twin room)
•    Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch
•    English or French speaking guide
•    Entrance fee to indicated sights
•    Water puppet show
•    Boat trips

EXCLUDE:
Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room, personal expenses, insurance,…