Daily Itinerary

17 – 18 Feb Sat/Sun - (Day One & Two) Depart on your flight to Vietnam—Cross International Dateline, lose a day transfer. (International Air will be quoted upon registration and can be tied into domestic flights upon request.) Arrive Da Nang. Hotel: Almanity (D-Dinner)

19 Feb Mon - (Day Three) This day will be devoted to touring of Da Nang, Red Beach, Marble Mountain, China Beach, and the old Air Facility. Lunch and after a short tour of Hoi An. Hotel: Almanity (B-Breakfast/L-Lunch/D)
 
20 Feb Tue - (Day Four) This morning we get an early start for a full day of touring along the Tu Bon – Vu Gia River basin, including the western edge of the “Rocket Belt.” Our emphasis includes Hill 55, 65, 37, An Hoa Combat Base, Liberty Bridge, the Arizona Territory, Go Noi Island, & other sites. Hotel: Almanity (B/L/D on own) 

21 Feb Wed - (Day Five) Our day begins with a drive north to Hue City, passing over the top of the Hai Van Pass, and down through Lang Co and the Phu Loc Region - one of the prettiest and most photogenic in all of Viet nam. We'll have plenty of time to stop along the way for any special requests including viewing Bach Ma, the Troui River Bridge, Phu Bai airfield and a stop at the An Cuu bridge. Upon entering Hue, we proceed to our hotel and check in and have lunch at a local restaurant. We will get an initial overview of the battle and a 360⁰ unobstructed view of the city from the top of our hotel which will aid in understanding the difficult nature of this urban battle. The rest of the day is used to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and an optional trip to the famous tombs in Ming Mang or devoted to personal exploration of the city. Hotel: Imperial  (B/L/D)

22 Feb Thur - (Day Six) Today we begin our 51st Anniversary Commemoration of the Tet Offensive with the battle’s start in the Phu Bai area of operations as 1st Battalion (Bn), 1st Marines (1/1) and the 1st & 2nd Bns of the 5th Marines react to the attack including the relief of the CAP position and the movement to Hue to defend the MACV compound. We will leave our hotel and take a walking tour, in the foot-steps of the original participants on 31 Jan 1968, to the old Hue University and then across the Truong Tien Bridge and Golf’s movement toward the Citadel gates.  Walking back over the bridge, key objectives will be the Hue University, Treasury, Postal Buildings and Public Health complex.  After lunch the rest of the day is devoted to personal exploration of the city. Hotel: Imperial (B/L/D)

23 Feb Fri - (Day Seven) This morning’s historical focus is on the battle areas south of the Perfume River. There will be guided commentary on the actions and movements of 2/5 from Hue University and by the Cercle Sportif, Hospital Complex, Provincial Prison, Tua Thien Provincial HQ all the way to the Railroad Station. Our battlefield tour continues past the Catholic Church back to where Alpha & Golf Companies kicked off the battle at the Shell Station. This afternoon our emphasis is on the battle for the Citadel: we cover the significant actions north of the Perfume River in the re-taking of the Citadel. The primary focus will be on the battle of the “Phase Lines,” the ARVN Headquarters, and the old airstrip. There will be time for exploration within the Citadel and the Forbidden City. Today we will also cover the efforts of U.S. Army units 2nd Bn, 12th Cavalry (Cav) and 5th Bn, 7th Cav in the blocking positions northwest of the city later joined by 1st Bn, 7th Cav and 2nd Bn 501st Infantry. Hotel: Imperial (B/L/D on your own)

24 Feb Sat - (Day Eight) Early morning departure as we travel west on Route 9 towards the Lao Border. Our objective is Khe Sanh, with side visits to Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, a view of the Lao Border and Co Roc. We will travel the extent of Route 9, stopping at Camp Carroll, The Rockpile, The Razorback, Khe Gia Bridge, Da Krong, LZ Stud, and Khe Sanh Village. If time allows, a stop at a Bru tribal village.  Hotel: Saigon Tourist Dong Ha (B/L/D) 

25 Feb Sun – (Day Nine) Today we Today we depart for the Da Krong Bridge. We continue south on highway 14 B which is one of the feeder roads of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. We return to revisit all of the action in the northern A Shau Valley. We will also stop at Tam Boi, Tiger Mountain, A Luoi and any other significant LZs. Hotel: Saigon Tourist Dong Ha (B/L/D) 

26 Feb Mon – (Day Ten) Today we tour “Leatherneck Square” in Quang Tri Province and visit these important sites - Con Thien, Cam Lo, the “Washout”, Gio Linh, The Peace Bridge at the Ben Hai River and the Dong Ha Bridge. After lunch in Quang Tri, we head for Hue.  Hotel: Imperial (B/L in Quang Tri/D on your own)

27 Feb Tue – (Day Eleven) Morning flight to Hanoi and sites to include the National Army Museum, John McCain Monument, the Army Museum  and other sites as time permits. We check into our hotel with a chance to enjoy Hanoi’s nightlife. Hotel: Silk Path (B/L/D on your own)

28 Feb Wed – (Day Twelve) We finish our visit to Hanoi  with a walking tour of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Presidential Palace plus a trip to the Hoa Lo Prison (“The Hanoi Hilton”). Remainder of the day for some last minute shopping and preparations for our evening flight home.   Hotel: Silk Path (B/L)
 
29 Feb Thur (Day Thirteen) We cross the International Dateline (gain a day) and arrive back at LAX in the evening on the same day.