Vietnam Veterans' Journey

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, Have welcome dinner at local restaurant, Spend your free time in the city

• Welcome to Vietnam! Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, our friendly guide will greet you and whisk you away to your centrally-located hotel.
• After a smooth check-in, the rest of the day is yours to explore! Immerse yourself in the city's youthful energy as you wander the bustling streets. Get a feel for the local life, soak up the atmosphere, and discover hidden gems at your own pace.
• As evening approaches, join us for a delicious welcome dinner at a charming local restaurant. Savor authentic Vietnamese cuisine and enjoy your first taste of the city's culinary scene. After a delightful meal, settle in for a comfortable night's rest at your Ho Chi Minh City hotel, ready for the adventures that await tomorrow.

Visit Cu Chi Tunnels in the countryside and the highlights in the city centre

• 08.30 AM: After breakfast at hotel, your private guide will meet you at your hotel lobby. A one and half hour drive takes you to Cu Chi Tunnels where human knowledge has been enriched by experiencing an web-like tunnels system of more than 200km in length which used to be the shelters of guerrillas during the war against American troops. 
• After the lunch in the local restaurant, in the afternoon, you will have a city tour including the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace. It was towards this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many. The tour also includes the War Remnants Museum, the Old Post Office, Chinatown and Ben Thanh Market – the central market for the city and one of the liveliest areas.
• About 04.30 PM, the tour finshes and you will be dropped off at your hotel and then you are free to relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Fly from Ho Chi Minh city to Danang, Drive to Hoi An and have a walking tour

After breakfast, 02 hour prior to your flight, the private driver pick you up at your hotel, transfer to HCM airport for the flight to Danang city.         

Upon arrival in Danang Airport, the local guide will welcome you at the airport, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An to check in. Free at your leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Fly from Ho Chi Minh city to Danang, Drive to Hoi An and have a walking tour

After breakfast, 02 hour prior to your flight, the private driver pick you up at your hotel, transfer to HCM airport for the flight to Danang city.         

Upon arrival in Danang Airport, the local guide will welcome you at the airport, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An to check in. Free at your leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Cycle from Hoi An to Tra Que Herb Village Van lang fisherman village and Bay Mau water coconut forest, enjoy lunch at local family

• 8:30 AM: Your guide awaits at your hotel lobby. Saddle up for a scenic bike ride to Tra Que Vegetable Village, a haven for over 150 farmers cultivating over 20 types of vegetables and herbs. Witness their dedication to sustainable practices, using natural fertilizers and avoiding pesticides and GMOs.
• Immerse in Local Life:  Stroll through the village, meeting friendly locals and witnessing their daily routines. Explore vast rice paddies and quiet roads, far from the tourist crowds.
• Learn from the Masters:  A local farmer will share their expertise in cultivation methods and natural pest control.  Even join them in tasks like raking, sowing, watering, and tending the vibrant greens.
• Beyond the Fields:  Continue your ride through picturesque landscapes, passing by a bustling market, a charming kindergarten, and paddy fields. Reach Van Lang, a traditional fishing village nestled amidst a 7-hectare coconut water forest. This serene haven served as a refuge during the Vietnam War.
• Embrace Local Hospitality:  The warm welcome of Mr. Han's family awaits! Savor a cup of refreshing green tea and explore the village's unique charm.
• A Unique Experience:  Get ready for a thrilling adventure aboard a traditional basket boat! Guided by skilled locals, discover the art of fishing in this unique water coconut forest.
• Relax & Recharge:  Return to Mr. Han's family for a rejuvenating foot bath using medicinal herbs, a traditional therapeutic practice.
• Culinary Delights:  Unwind and prepare a delicious lunch alongside the family. Savor local specialties like Tam Huu spring rolls, Banh Xeo pancakes, and grilled fish in banana leaf.
• Free Time & Farewell: After lunch, enjoy some free time to relax before returning to your hotel around 3:30 PM. This unforgettable day filled with cultural immersion and scenic beauty ends with the evening at your leisure in Hoi An.

Transfer from Hoi An to Hue, visit Ba Na Hills enjoying the breathtaking views from the Golden Bridge.

• This morning (8:00 AM), we'll pick you up from your Hoi An hotel and embark on a journey to the captivating Ba Na Hills. Take a thrilling ride on the world-record-holding cable car, ascending to Ba Na station. Here, you can explore Vong Nguyet Hill, Linh Ung Pagoda, and the charming French villas. Ascend further by cable car to Nui Chua Mountain, the peak of the Ba Na range. Explore Nghinh Phong Top, Le Nim Villas, and the enchanting Orchid Garden.
• Embark on a unique adventure aboard the first and only funicular train in Vietnam, and delve into Debay Ancient Wine Cellar. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Le Jardin D'Amour flower garden and don't miss a walk across the iconic Golden Bridge, shrouded in the magical mountain fog. Take in the breathtaking panoramic views of Da Nang City below.
• Refuel with a delicious lunch at a Ba Na Hills restaurant before enjoying some free time in the afternoon (around 2:00 PM). Get your thrills at Fantasy Park, Vietnam's third-largest indoor game zone, featuring a variety of exciting experiences like 4D/5D movies, a ski simulator, a thrilling "death race," and a dinosaur park.
• Around 3:00 PM, we'll transfer you to Hue City, a scenic journey lasting approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy some free time to explore Hue at your own pace. Overnight in Hue.

Drive to Quang Tri, visit DMZ, Vinh Moc Tunnel, Hien Luong Bridge, National Cemetery

• At 07h30am: Pick-up in Hue, head to the north via the Highway 1 toward Dong Ha, stop at sites along the way, such as Highway of Horror, Quang Tri Citadel, the Ai Tu Airfield. Continue to Dong Ha, the former headquarters of the elements of the U.S Marines, head west on Route 9. The first stop is the Rockpile, a look-out of the U.S Marine Corps, visit Van Kieu ethnic minority’s people in the Central of Vietnam. Continue to Khe Sanh village, where Khe Sanh Combat Base took place. 
• Lunch in Dong Ha. After lunch, head north to visit the Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River at the middle of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), the river that was the only true physical demarcation between North and South Vietnam. Continue to Vinh Moc tunnels, the refuge of some 400 north Vietnamese inhabitants during the bombing operation "Rolling Thunder".
• Then, drive to your hotel, do check-in and free at your leisure.
• Overnight in Quang Tri.

Drive from Quang Tri to Hue, visit the Imperial Citadel, Khai Dinh Tomb and Minh Mang Tomb to learn more about historic and cultural values

• 08.00 AM: Our tour guide will wait for you at the hotel lobby to depart of Quang Tri back to Hue city.
• Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient royal tombs of emperors past, and visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. You will take a drive to visit King Minh Mang tomb & King Khai Dinh tomb. Lunch at a local restaurant. 
• This afternoon you will join a tour of Hue City including the Old Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City - an amazing historic landmark in Hue - a definitely must-see sight to learn more about the history and architecture that visitor should not miss when travelling to that peaceful area.
• After the tour you will be transfer back to your hotel. Free in the evening. Overnight in Hue.

Fly from Hue to Hanoi, Free time to explore Hanoi

• Early morning you head out to Aluoi for the Ashau Valley, one of the strategic focal points of the war in Vietnam. Located in western Hue city, the narrow 40-kilometer long valley was an arm of the Ho Chi Minh Trail funneling troops and supplies toward Hue and Danang. At the north end of the valley was the major North Vietnamese Army (NVA) staging area known as Base Area 611. Because of its importance to the North Vietnamese plan for victory, the Ashau valley became a major battleground from the earliest Ashau valley area map days of the U.S involvement in South Vietnam. 
• The first stop is the old site of Ashau Special Forces Camp, overrun by the NVA in 1966 and the next site is the infamous Hamburger Hill, the last bloodiest battle between the U.S Army's 101st Airborne and the NVA troops in the Vietnam War. The battle took place on Ap Bia mountain or Hill 937 in the rugged, jungle-shrouded mountains along the Laotian border with South Vietnam. After 10 day battle ( from May 10 to May 20, 1969 ), the U.S 101st Airborne Division took the hill, US troops fought a brutal battle up the hill before finally capturing it on May 20. Due to the severity of the fighting, Hill 937 was dubbed "Hamburger Hill". 
• We have 3-hour hiking on the hill and wander the hilltop viewing the traces left of the 10-day battle. Explore a tunnel of the NVA  at the hillfoot before getting back to the town for lunch. 
• Drive back to your hotel in Hue. 

Fly from Hue to Hanoi, Free time to explore Hanoi

• Morning: Savor breakfast at your Hue hotel, then enjoy some free time to explore or relax.
• Afternoon: We'll transfer you to Phu Bai Airport for your Hanoi flight (2 hrs before departure). Upon arrival in Hanoi, meet your guide and transfer to your downtown hotel.
• Evening: Explore Hanoi's vibrant streets or unwind at your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Join Hanoi City Tour

• After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will pick you up to embark on a city tour that unveils the rich history and culture of Hanoi.
• Your first stop will be the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you can visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of the revered leader Uncle Ho. You can also explore the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts, offering a glimpse into his simple lifestyle. The complex also houses the One Pillar Pagoda, a unique structure built on a single pillar that is a must-see for any visitor to Hanoi.
• After lunch, continue your journey to the Temple of Literature, the first university established in Vietnam. Immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of this historical site and admire the traditional architecture.
• Next, delve into the vibrant energy of the Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the diverse cultures and traditions of Vietnam's many ethnic groups.
• As the afternoon unfolds, explore the bustling streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter on a leisurely cyclo ride. This traditional three-wheeled bicycle taxi allows you to soak in the sights, sounds, and smells of the Old Quarter's 36 ancient streets, lined with shops selling everything from souvenirs to local crafts.
• The tour concludes at around 4:00 PM, leaving you with free time to explore further at your own pace. You might choose to do some shopping in the Old Quarter, relax in a charming cafe, or simply wander the streets and soak up the atmosphere.

Transfer to Halong Bay, Explore the World Natural Heritage, Stay overnight on cruise

• This morning, your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi. Prepare for a scenic journey of approximately 3.5 hours to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking limestone formations rising dramatically from the emerald waters.
• Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay, you'll embark on your chosen cruise and be warmly welcomed with a refreshing drink while receiving a briefing about your itinerary.
• As the ship sails further into the bay, a sumptuous lunch will be served on board. Take this opportunity to relax and admire the awe-inspiring scenery through the large windows or on the sundeck.
• In the afternoon, you'll have the chance to cool off with a swim in the calm and warm waters of the bay. Alternatively, you can embark on a kayaking adventure, exploring the hidden coves and caves at your own pace.
• Our experienced guide will provide basic paddling instructions before leading you on a journey to discover the extraordinary beauty of Ha Long Bay up close. After exploring for an hour, you'll return to the cruise for relaxation before attending a fun and informative cooking class in the late afternoon.
• Learn the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine by participating in a hands-on cooking class onboard the cruise. Under the guidance of the ship's chef, you'll gain insights into the fresh ingredients, flavorful spices, and traditional cooking techniques used in Vietnamese dishes.
• As the sun begins to set, casting a golden glow over the bay, enjoy a delectable dinner prepared by the ship's talented chefs. Savor the delicious flavors you may have learned to create in the cooking class earlier and admire the breathtaking views from the dining area.
• After dinner, spend the night comfortably on board the cruise, lulled by the gentle rocking of the waves and the serene beauty of Ha Long Bay.

Enjoy last moments on the bay, Transfer back to Hanoi

• Catch an early morning cruise on Halong Bay.
• Start your day with Tai Chi on the sundeck (optional).
• Relax and admire the stunning scenery of the bay.
• After breakfast, explore Sung Sot Cave.
• Cruise past a charming fishing village.
• Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch onboard.
• Disembark at noon and return to Hanoi.
• Check in to your Old Quarter hotel (around 4:30 PM).
• Free time to relax in the evening. Overnight in Hanoi.

Transfer to airport for your flight back home

• Free time at your leisure until we pick you to the airport for your flight back home. With the sincere thanks for your travel to Vietnam hope that you have enjoyed your Vietnam trip and look forward to see you again!