Vietnam Veteran Tour 11 days: South & Centre of Vietnam War Memory

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
 

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.
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. 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.
 

8:00 AM Pick up your hotel to go to Can Gio.  Crossing Binh Khanh ferry, dense mangrove forest can be observed while travelling. Being destroyed heavily during the War, Can gio is slowly being rebuilder and in 2000, UNESCO granted the status of biosphere reserve.
10:30 AM Reaching Đảo Khỉ (Monkey Island): Here we transfer for 30-40 km to the park where you will meet your local Vietnamese guide, start our trekking tour to
- Visiting Can Gio Museum
- Visiting Mangrove Forest Park Fauna Conservatory: saltwater crocodiles and more than 1,000 wild monkeys which love to play with people.
- Taking canoe to visit Mangrove Forest Ecosystem and Rung Sac Guerilla Base. You have an opportunity to learn about the lives, history and battles of the Base. Around 860 soldiers fell down here during the War
12:00PM – Having lunch and resting. While resting, a great opportunity to hit the swimming pool and purchasing fresh seafood (at own expense) or taking a swim at the beach
14:30PM – Visiting local seafood market.
15:00PM – Returning back to Saigon. Arriving Saigon around 17:00PM
 

This morning you have free time until we transfer you to the airport for your short flight to Da Nang.
With 10 km of white sand beaches together with a lot of luxury resorts and restaurants, Da Nang becomes an  attractive destination of tourists. Coming to Da Nang, visitors also have a chance to visit the picturesque Ba Na Hills, Son Tra Peninsula, Marble Moutains,… which should not be missed.
Upon arrival transfer you to your hotel for your overnight. The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, and the colorful riverside market make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. You have a half day walking tour in Hoian for shopping and visiting this charming town. Overnight in Hoian
 

Visit one of Vietnam’s most significant memorial sites. In a quiet suburban area of Quang Ngai province a village remains a memorial to the 504 civilians that lost their lives in 1968 during the My Lai massacre. The incident became public knowledge in 1969 and prompted widespread outrage around the world.
ITINERARY
07.00 Your jeep and guide will meet you at your hotel. Your tour begins with the journey to My Lai through stunning local villages in Quang Nam before we join Highway 1. We take a break en route for a local drip coffee in a small Vietnamese town.
09.30 Arrive at the site of the famous My Lai memorial site, where your village guide will take you to visit the house of evidence, a museum housing documents, photos and artifacts from the war. You will hear the stories of the horrific atrocities that once happened here and how the village has since recovered. In a town where almost every family has been met by loss, it is genuinely uplifting to see how they have overcome the past, with hope for a better future. We then take some time to visit the nearby village and farms. We then take a short drive to Chu Lai the site of the former US military base.
12.00 Lunch at a local restaurant .
13.30 We take the scenic route back to Hoi An. There are plenty of photo opportunities and we will stop to the see the sights as we go.
16.30 Arrive back at your hotel.
 

Start your exploration today with a visit to the 4th century Cham religious sanctuary of My Son,
Located in a beautiful green valley, the ruins at My Son are the largest and most intact remaining in Vietnam. It is also the home to the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which records the development of the culture and history of the Cham people.
In the afternoon we bid Hoian farewell and continue our south bound journey in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. Along the way through we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. We also will stop at the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arrival in Hue, we overnight at your hotel for your overnight
 

We then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including a boat trip to visit the picturesque Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda
Built in 1601, it is one of the best know religious and must-see sites in Hue. Both landscape and monuments here are always in harmony and bring a feeling of peace for travelers.
Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc.
Stretching along the Perfume River, Tu Duc mausoleum is considered to be the most picturesque site of Hue. The tomb was designed by the Emperor Tu Duc himself and this is the largest architectural work of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces and tombs.
Transfer back to Hue center Hue for lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon we continue to visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City
Built in the 19th century by Nguyen dynasty, the Citadel becomes the most important historical and cultural monument in Vietnam. It is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3 walled enclosures: the Citadel, the Yellow Imperial city, and the Forbidden Purple city.
If time permits, we continue to do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialty of Hue city. Overnight at the hotel in Hue
 

Upon leaving the town we drive up the highway 1 northwards passing by Camp Evans, Fire Support Base Nancy and Quang Tri battle site. Along the way we catch a look of Ai Tu Combat Base and Airfield before arriving in Dong Ha, which is well known as Leatherneck Square bounded by Con Thien, Gio Linh, Dong Ha, and Cam Lo. We cross over the Hien Luong Bridge spanning the Ben Hai River which demarcated North and South Vietnam. Here is a chance to visit the Doc Mieu Base in the DMZ, the infamous Vinh Moc Tunnels and the old citadel of Quang Tri. This violent battlefield is still in many veterans’ memories. Overnight in Dong Ha
 

The journey continues with a drive towards the former American marine base of Khe Sanh. Along the highway No 9, which links Vietnam and Laos, we traverse by a series of fire support bases, including Rock pile, Camp Carol and Da Krong Bridge. On arrival at Khe Sanh Base we have time to stroll around to visit some of the many battle sites and military camps. There were all but partly cleared by villagers. We make our way towards Tacon Airport as well as Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, in south of Lang Vei Village. In the mid-afternoon we return to Hue via Da Krong Bridge. Overnight in Dong Ha 
 

Morning you have free time until we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Saigon and then connecting with your flight home. Thank you for choosing our Vietnam Veteran Tours 11 Days!