VT5: Veteran Battefiels 9 days 8 nights

The name of Viet Nam always reminds people of famous wars during its history: French war and American war. Though now, time passed and the memories of these periods of history have flown away in many people’s thoughts, they still remain in the veterans of both Vietnam and the countries who joined these wars.
However, the huge wall between them no longer exist now, just the sympathy and the love for this country exist.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1: Saigon arrival (D)
Day 2: Saigon – Tayninh – Cuchi (B, L)
Day 3: Saigon - Hue city tour (B, L)
Day 4: Hue – DMZ – Quang Tri province (B, L)
Day 5: Hue – Danang – Hoian ancient town (B, L)
Day 6: Hoian – Mylai – Hoian (B, L)
Day 7: Hoian – Danang — Hanoi (B, D)
Day 8: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
Day 9: Hanoi Departure (B)

 
Itinerary in Details:

Day 1: Saigon arrival (D)
Arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, welcome and transfer to hotel by Asia View Travel guides with signboard, check in, relax. If time permits, We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh. (The first day’s programme can be re- arranged according to your arrival time in Ho chi minh).

Day 2: Saigon – Tayninh – Cuchi (B, L)
The head quarter of Cao Dai sect is located in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members. After breakfast we travel by roads to Tay Ninh to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Afterwards we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon  all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s, let the Viet Minh and, later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers.  In places, it was several  stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth, going to school. The ground here is hard clay, which made this whole thing possible. But even so, the planning and construction was incredible. People dug all this with hand tools, filling reed baskets and dumping the dirt into bomb craters. They installed large vents so they could hear approaching helicopters, smaller vents for air and baffled vents to dissipate cooking smoke. There were also hidden  trap doors and gruesomely effective bamboo-stake booby traps. Today, the trees and bushes have grown back. And since 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors. Drive back to Hochiminh City.

Day 3: Saigon - Hue city tour (B, L)
Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Hue. Pick up and transfer to hotel for breakfast and freshen up. We then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. In the surrounding countryside there is the picturesque Thiem Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, Emperor Khai Dinh. Transfer back to Hue center, do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Marke to enjoy the speciality of Hue city.

Day 4: Hue – DMZ – Quang Tri province (B, L)
Early departure from Hue to Quang Tri - the former DMZ - from 1945 to 1975, the Ben Hai River served as demarcation line between the North and the South of Vietnam. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) consisted of a 5km to either side of the demarcation line. But during the war, the Southern area of DMZ was one of the bloodiest battlefields. This full day tour to DMZ will take you to visit the Frame of the Church, Dong Ha Town, Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River and Vinh Moc Tunnels along High way No1. After lunch continue to visit the Rock Pile and former Marine AO, called “Leatherneck Square”, the Dakrong Bridge, Ho Chi Minh Trail, Khe Sanh Combat and the Ethnic minorities along High way No.9. Coming back and ending the tour in.
 

Day 5: Hue – Danang – Hoian ancient town (B, L)
We will drive for about 90km to Danang. On march 8th 1965, the US 9th marine brigade landed red beach 2 in Danang, officially marked the American war. Stop over at Non Nuoc beach, Danang beach, and The Cham museum. Once arrival to Hoian ancient town, check in hotel then start our waking tour for sightseeing this ASIA’ major port in the 17century, including the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. Passing many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. The town is also famous for it's shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could  have a whole new wardrobe made for you here! Overnight at hotel in Hoian .

Day 6: Hoian – Mylai – Hoian (B, L)
Today we will have a full-day of visiting to former Chu lai base or Cam doi base in Quang Ngai province. Next to visit the MYLAI where was happened the massacre of civilians on March 16th 1968. End of this day returning back hoi an. Overnight in Hoian.

Day 7: Hoian – Danang — Hanoi (B, D)
Transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi. Check in hotel, relax. In the afternoon, take a cyclo tour around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian. Free to do walking around Hanoi Old Quarter. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
This morning we start city tour  with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on Monday, friday & November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city, continue to the Army Museum, nearby Flag Tower Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam, the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple.. Enjoy water puppet show - a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 9: Hanoi Departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel, free time until  transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Say goodbye Vietnam.

Thank you for travelling with Asia View Travel.

Accommodation Options

Tour includes:
• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• All tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Domestic airfare & airport taxes:  Saigon – Hue, Danang- Hanoi
• Private English or French  speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary at local restaurant with local foods (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Boat cruise as stated
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Mineral water & towel
• Government taxes & Service charges

Tour excludes:
• International flights to and from Vietnam
• Vietnam visa arrangement (upon request visa on arrival at 15 USD, not including stamping fee at 25 USD)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• All other services which are not mentioned above
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory)
• Personal expenses such as  Telephone and Laundry bills
• Tips and gratuities