Vietnam Veteran Tour 11 days: War History

On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, welcome by Asia King Travel's guide and transfer to the hotel. Ho Chi Minh City is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafes. If time permits, we stroll around the downtown to explore the different local ways of life. Overnight at the hotel in HCM city
 

Morning after having breakfast, depart for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels 
Located 70 km northwest of Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese soldiers in the American war. Nowadays, the tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction of Vietnam.
 Afternoon, we take a half day of city tour to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the Reunification Palace
Reunification Palace is a unique construction designed for the President of South Vietnam during Vietnam War. When entering, visitors can not only admire its architectural beauty but also enjoy fresh atmosphere created by trees and grasses around.
Followed by some French colonial structures including the Old Saigon Post Office & Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous architectural monuments influenced by European architecture. Both its exterior and interior are impressive with bright red color of bricks, stained glass panels and carved tiles, attracting many tourists.
After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is firstly well-known as the place for real Vietnamese food. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests many freshly delicious dishes. You also can find any goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs here. 
Overnight at the hotel in HCM city
 

Morning after breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Pleiku, the most strategically important position during the Vietnam War. Upon arrival you are welcomed by our tour guide and driver to transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Overnight at the hotel in Pleiku
 

Breakfast served at the hotel. We then get on the car for a drive  to Ham Rong mountain (Dragon Mouth) to visit Camp Enari - the former Headquarters of the 4th U.S Infantry Division. Stop over at Catecka plantation - the former operational areas of the 4th  Division, en route for Pleime - the former U.S Special Forces  and overlooking at Iadrang valley. Overnight in Pleiku.
 

Heading out of town we travel by roads to Komtum. We then continue the road to Dakto to visit Phoenix Airstrip - the former  Airbase of the 4th Division. After lunch, pay a visit the Wooden Catholic Church, Vinh Son Orphanage. Stop over  at  Pleikep village en route from Kontum to Pleiku to learn the Jarai’s traditional custom and culture. Dinner and overnight in Pleiku
 

Today get a chance to meet some Vietnamese veterans in Pleiku. We then drive to MangYang  to visit the Dektu village of Bahnar Minority. Stop off at Dakpo to visit the Groupment Mobile 100 -where French suffered a loss in which about a 1000 men were killed in 1954, also at An Khe to visit Radcliff - the former base of the 1st Cavalry Division. Transfer to Quy Nhon. Overnight in Quy Nhon
 

Today you have free time on the beach until we pick up and transfer you to the airport to catch a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival pick up and transfer you to the hotel for your overnight
 

After breakfast, our guide will pick you up and show you around Hanoi, Vietnam’s gracious capital. We enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, home to his mausoleum, garden, house on stilts and a museum which traces his life and work.
Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. This site only opens on Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 08:00 – 11:00.
The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.
Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond. It was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong based on his dream of Goddess of Mercy seating on a lotus flower and giving him a boy. In 1954, it was destroyed by the French and then restored in 1955.
We follow this with the Vietnam Military History Museum this is one of the oldest museums in Hanoi. It is particularly interesting to see and important for those wishing to learn about Vietnam, because most of the country’s history is about war and fighting for independence.  There are both indoors and outdoors sections with display of military-related artifacts. Its exhibition dated back to as early as Hung Vuong Era, which is considered the start of Vietnam as a country. The first thousand year of being colonized by Chinese is elaborately depicted, as well as the century struggle against French colony.
Lunch will be your own account
In the afternoon, visit the Hoa Lo Prison. Established by the French colonial government in 1896, Hoa Lo Prison was originally used to detain political prisoners and formed part of a Northern network of ‘unjust and cruel prisons’ which included Cao Bang, Son La, Lai Chau and Hai Phong. Ironically, The Americans called this prison “Hanoi Hilton” during the Second Indochina War. Most of the original prison was demolished in 1996 to make way for the Hanoi Towers (now Somerset Grand Hanoi) serviced apartment and office complex, but the southernmost corner has been preserved and reopened to the public as a memorial to the revolutionaries who died here in atrocious conditions. Visitors can view the original cells, complete with leg-irons, along with a selection of bilingual (Vietnamese and English) displays illustrating the horrors of life in the prison during the French colonial period
Finally we spend your time in Museum of the Revolution. Built in 1917 by the French colony, the place is now dedicated to displaying artifacts, documentaries and sporadic exhibitions about Vietnamese’s struggle in modern history. The content is divided into three parts, 1858-1945; 1945- 1975 and 1975-now, which correspond with the French colonialism period, the Vietnam War period and the Post-war period. As impressive as the range of topics covered is the interior and exterior design of the building, which can be found only in other historic places put up during the early 20th century in Hanoi.
Accommodation             : At the hotel in Hanoi
Meals                            : Breakfast
 

Breakfast served at hotel and then starts a 3-hour drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Ha Long City.
Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.
Arrive in Halong ad board a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  Dinner served on board. Overnight on Junk
Accommodation             : On Ha Long boat
Meals                            : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi for your overnight
Accommodation             : At the hotel in Hanoi
Meals                            : Breakfast, Lunch
 

You have free time until we transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Thank you for choosing our Vietnam Veteran Tour 11 days. See you again!