FROM HA NOI TO SAI GON: A VETERAN EXPEDITION (14 days)
FROM HA NOI TO SAI GON: A VETERAN EXPEDITION (14 days)
This meaningful journey through Vietnam offers veterans and history enthusiasts a deeper understanding of the country’s past while discovering its remarkable beauty and culture. Traveling from the historic capital of Hanoi and the natural wonder of Ha Long Bay to the heritage and historic cities of the Centre, the tour continues south to Ho Chi Minh City, and the legendary Thunder Road, where important wartime sites and personal memories come to life. Combining historical reflection with cultural discovery and warm local encounters, this tour provides a respectful and enriching perspective on Vietnam’s history and resilience.
A travel experience like no other
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Day 1HANOI ARRIVAL
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Day 2HANOI WAR TOUR (B)
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Day 3HA NOI – HA LONG BAY (B,L,D)
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Day 4HA LONG – HA NOI – FLIGHT TO DA NANG (B or BR)
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Day 5DA NANG (B,L)
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Day 6DA NANG – ANTENA VALLEY - HOI AN - DA NANG (B,L)
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Day 7DA NANG - HUE (B)
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Day 8HUE – DMZ TOUR (B,L)
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Day 9DMZ – HAMBURGER HILL – HUE (B,L)
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Day 10HUE - FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B)
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Day 11HO CHI MINH WAR TOUR (B,L)
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Day 12HO CHI MINH – CU CHI – TAY NINH (B,L)
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Day 13TAY NINH – THUNDER ROAD – HO CHI MINH (B,L)
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Day 14HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE (B)
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Day 1
HA NOI ARRIVAL
Upon arrival to Noi Bai International Airport you will be welcomed by your guide holding a sign with your name on it. He will escort you to your hotel (approx. 1-hour drive). Check in time is after 2 PM.
Check in hotel and free at leisure.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Hotel 4* THE Q HOTEL (Deluxe)
Hotel 5* PAN PACIFIC (Deluxe)
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Day 2
HANOI WAR TOUR
After breakfast, visit Hoa Lo Prison, originally built by the French (1886–1901) for Vietnamese political prisoners and later used by North Vietnam for American POWs during the Vietnam War. Now partly preserved as a museum, the prison offers a moving glimpse into the past with its original cells, shackles, and guillotine room.
Next, meet Nguyen Hong My, a former fighter pilot who shot down the first American aircraft during Operation Linebacker II. Hear his personal stories of wartime experiences and remarkable post-war reunions with former American enemies who later became close friends.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit Truc Bach Lake to see the monument marking where Senator John McCain was captured after parachuting into the lake. Continue to the Thang Long Royal Citadel to explore its underground wartime bunker, used during the 1972 “Hanoi–Dien Bien Phu in the Air” campaign.
Then visit the Military Museum (closed Mondays and Fridays), showcasing Vietnam’s military history through exhibits, photographs, and wartime artifacts.
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Hotel 4* THE Q HOTEL (Deluxe)
Hotel 5* PAN PACIFIC (Deluxe)
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Day 3
HA NOI - HALONG BAY
After breakfast, depart Hanoi for a 3-hour drive to Ha Long Bay. Arrive at the jetty in Ha Long City around noon and proceed with the check-in formalities. You will be welcomed on board, and lunch will be served as the boat begins cruising into the heart of the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy sightseeing and onboard activities according to your boat’s itinerary, or simply relax and take in the magnificent surroundings. Toward the end of the day, the boat will anchor for the night among the impressive karst formations. Dinner will be served on board.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On boat
4* LA REGINA ROYAL (Noble Suite)
5* LA REGINA GRAND (Bai Tu Long suite)
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Day 4
HA LONG – HA NOI – flight to DA NANG
Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Ha Long in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi airport for flying to Da Nang.
Your local team will meet you at Da Nang airport and transfer to hotel.
Check in hotel and free at leisure.
Meal: Breakfast or Brunch
Accommodation:
Hotel 4* MANDILA BEACH (Deluxe Partial Ocean room)
Hotel 5* MIKAZUKI DA NANG (Deluxe room)
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Day 5
DA NANG
At 8 AM, you will be met by our guide at the lobby to drive to Hill 327 (also known as Freedom Hill or Camp Reasoner). The hill is located 16 km southwest of Da Nang. It was the site of a United States Marine Corps strongpoint during the Vietnam War. Continue to Red Beach where the first U.S. combat marines landed in 1965. Afterwards drive to Monkey Mountain in Son Tra peninsula. During the Vietnam War, a U.S Air Force and Marine base was located at the very peak of Son Tra Mountain. Next, visit the Marble Mountains and China Beach that was home to the 510th Evacuation Hospital, where the wounded American soldiers could recover. See what is left of the Marble Mountain Army Airfield.
Return to your hotel in Danang/ Hoi An in the afternoon.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
Hotel 4* MANDILA BEACH (Deluxe Partial Ocean room)
Hotel 5* MIKAZUKI DA NANG (Deluxe room)
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Day 6
DA NANG - ANTENA VALLEY - HOI AN
After breakfast, travel south along Highway 1, crossing the Thu Bon River into the countryside beyond. The route follows the southern edge of Go Noi Island toward Liberty Bridge before continuing west into the foothills of the Que Son Mountains. Here, visit My Son Sanctuary, the former spiritual center of the Cham Kingdom and home to ancient temple ruins dating back to the 5th century near the old capital of Tra Kieu.
After exploring the historic site, continue to the remains of An Hoa Combat Base, an important military location during the war years. The journey then winds over Thu Bon River Pass into Antenna Valley before heading east through the Que Son region, stopping at former military landing zones including LZ Ross and LZ Baldy along the way.
In the mid-afternoon, drive to Hoi An and discover the charm of the historic old town. Begin at the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, lovingly preserved by seven generations. Continue to the Museum of Trade Ceramics, home to captivating artifacts collected from across Asia and the Middle East. A short stroll brings you to the 17th-century Chua Ong Pagoda, surrounded by a neighborhood rich in Chinese architectural heritage—perfect for a relaxed wander. While in town, don’t miss the chance to try Bánh Mì, often hailed as the world’s best sandwich. It’s one of the iconic Hoi An specialties that no traveler should leave without tasting. When the sun goes down, strolling at the night market before driving back to your hotel in Da Nang.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
Hotel 4* MANDILA BEACH (Deluxe Partial Ocean room)
Hotel 5* MIKAZUKI DA NANG (Deluxe room)
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Day 7
DA NANG - HUE
In the morning, begin the scenic 3–3.5-hour drive through the scenic Hai Van Pass to the imperial city of Hue.
In the afternoon, explore the must-see attraction of Hue. Begin your exploration at the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 520 hectares. Continue to the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, a tranquil royal retreat of lakes, pavilions, and pine forests, reflecting the poetic and contemplative spirit of the Nguyen emperor. On the way back to your hotel, stop by the mysterious, forgotten cemetery dedicated to the eunuchs of Nguyen Dynasty, also the only one in Vietnam. This special place is located on a secluded pine hill in the 19th century Tu Hieu pagoda where 92-year-old Thich Nhat Hanh – the father of mindfulness and one of the most influential spiritual leaders of our times, just after Dalai Lama, spent his remaining days at his "root temple”, awaiting the end of this life.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Hotel 4* ROMANCE (Deluxe with view)
Hotel 5* SILKPATH GRAND (Deluxe)
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Day 8
HUE - HAMBURGER HILL - KHE SANH
Depart early in the morning for A Luoi and the Ashau Valley, one of the most significant strategic areas during the Vietnam War. Stretching along western Hue near the Laotian border, this remote valley formed a key section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, used by North Vietnamese forces to move troops and supplies toward Hue and Da Nang. At its northern end was Base Area 611, a major NVA logistical hub that made the valley a fierce battleground throughout the war.
The day begins with a visit to the former Ashau Special Forces Camp, which was overrun by North Vietnamese forces in 1966. Continue to Hamburger Hill, the site of one of the war’s most intense and controversial battles. Fought on Hill 937, deep in the jungle-covered mountains near Laos, the battle lasted from May 10–20, 1969, as troops from the U.S. 101st Airborne Division struggled to capture the heavily defended hill. The extreme casualties and brutal fighting led soldiers to nickname it “Hamburger Hill.”
After lunch in A Luoi, travel along Road 14, a major branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, toward Khe Sanh. Explore the historic Khe Sanh Combat Base, a key U.S. Marine stronghold that came under heavy siege during the 1968 Tet Offensive and Ta Con airfield. Later, continue west toward the Lao border to visit the former Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, remembered as the site of the first major North Vietnamese tank assault of the war.
Overnight at Khe Sanh.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Local hotel in Khe Sanh
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Day 9
KHE SANH - DMZ - HUE
Depart early this morning for a full-day journey through the former “Leatherneck Square,” the heavily contested area between Con Tien, Gio Linh, Cam Lo, and Dong Ha that saw intense fighting during the war. Stopover at Dakrong suspension bridge, the Rock Pile and Camp Carol. Continue north toward the former DMZ, stopping at Gio Linh (Alpha-2), once the northernmost U.S. Marine firebase in South Vietnam.
Next, visit the Hien Luong Bridge spanning the Ben Hai River, the historic boundary that divided North and South Vietnam along the 17th Parallel. After lunch at Cua Tung Beach, continue to the Vinh Moc Tunnels, an underground village where hundreds of civilians sheltered during the intense bombing campaigns of Operation Rolling Thunder.
The final stop is Quang Tri Old Citadel, the site of the devastating 81-day battle during the 1972 Easter Offensive and one of the most symbolic battlefields of the Vietnam War. Return to Hue in the late afternoon.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation:
Hotel 4* ROMANCE (Deluxe with view)
Hotel 5* SILKPATH GRAND (Deluxe)
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Day 10
HUE – flight to HO CHI MINH CITY
You will be privately transferred to Hue airport to take the flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Upon arrival to Tan Son Nhat International Airport you will be welcomed by your guide holding a sign with your name on it. He will escort you to your hotel (approx. 30-minute-drive). Check in hotel after 2 PM.
First explore Saigon — a city of many layers, where the energy of a modern life blends seamlessly with a rich and complex past. This experience offers a deeper look into the vibrant metropolis while uncovering hidden stories and lesser-known landmarks.
Stroll through the leafy 30 April Park to reach the Central Post Office, a beautiful example of French colonial architecture. Nearby, catch sight of the former CIA building, the site of one of the last helicopter evacuations in 1975, and hear the story behind the famous “Fall of Saigon” photograph taken by Hubert van Es. From here, walk through the historic city center and central business district, passing architectural highlights such as City Hall, Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel, and the Saigon Opera House.
Step off the main boulevard to discover a historic apartment building transformed by the city’s youth into a vibrant creative hub. Independent boutiques, cafés, and art spaces reflect the spirit of Saigon’s young generation. Pause to relax with a refreshment at one of the building’s trendy cafés.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Hotel 4* REX (Deluxe)
Hotel 5* CARAVELLE (Deluxe)
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Day 11
HO CHI MINH CITY
Discover the lasting legacy of the Vietnam War during a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s most significant wartime sites. Begin at the War Remnants Museum, where powerful photographs, military equipment, and historical exhibits provide insight into Vietnam’s conflicts with both the French and Americans. The museum also honors the civilians, journalists, and soldiers affected by the war while presenting thought-provoking displays on the impact of modern warfare and international peace movements.
Continue to the Reunification Palace, the former presidential residence of South Vietnam and the site where the war officially came to an end on April 30, 1975, when North Vietnamese tanks entered the palace gates during the Fall of Saigon.
Next, visit Do Phu coffee, once a secret Viet Cong weapons bunker and meeting point hidden beneath an ordinary coffee shop during the Vietnam War. Enjoy a cup of coffee while your guide tells you fascinating stories about how the local guerrillas operated in the heart of Saigon.
Then explore a secret underground bunker hidden inside a century-old building. Here, you’ll learn about its construction and the crucial role it played during the Vietnam War era, offering valuable historical context.
Afterward, we will take a drive pass by former US Embassy which now houses the new US Consulate, the house of General Westmoreland and DOA (Defense Attaché Office) building. Continue to Rex Hotel for a drink at hotel’s rooftop so call “Five O’clock Follies” in the past.
Back to hotel in the afternoon.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation:
Hotel 4* REX (Deluxe)
Hotel 5* CARAVELLE (Deluxe)
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Day 12
HO CHI MINH – THE THUNDER ROAD
This morning we get up early and heading north-west on Highway 13. We pass close to the Iron Triangle as we arrive in Ben Cat. Just north of Ben Cat is Lai Khe and the southern end of Thunder Road.
Have a look at Lai Khe basecamp which served as base camp for the 1st Infantry Division from 1965-1972 along with several other American units over different periods of time. The base camp was the headquarters for the 3rd Brigade with the division headquarters not far away in Di An. Nowadays, there are not much left around the old base area but a visit to Lai Khe is a must for the history traveler.
Heading north on Thunder Road we will make stops at Phuoc Vinh base camp, also called Camp Gorvad, was to be one of the most important bases covering War Zone D. That area is now a shooting range for the People’s Army so it is not possible to visit the entire area. Besides of the runway, there isn't much left of the old camp.
Continue to An Loc - a ward of the town of Binh Long in Bình Phước Province. It located approximately 90 km north of Saigon. The town became famous during the Vietnam War, as the location of a major battle and B-52 air strike in 1972. The Battle of An Lộc was a major battle of the Vietnam War that lasted for 66 days and culminated in a decisive victory for South Vietnam. In many ways, the struggle for An Loc in 1972 was an important battle of the war, as South Vietnamese forces halted the North Vietnamese advance towards Saigon.
Then we also visit Quan Loi base camp, also known as LZ Andy or Rocket City (Decimal coordinates: 11.674921 106.664814) established in 1966 for the 1st Infantry Division. The runway is still visible and possible to drive on, though it is hidden within a large rubber plantation. Apart from the runway, however, there is not much to see here in terms of remaining buildings.
Next, drive to Loc Ninh SF base (the northern end of Thunder Road). It was the scene of many fierce battles due to its strategic location just inside the Vietnamese border.
Continue to Tay Ninh where we will spend the night.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: MELIA VINPEARL
Road transfer: 285km/ 6.5 hrs.
Remark: Actually, some former base camps are now belonging to Vietnam military. The rest is changed into the living zone. Depending on sites, we will try to get the permission on-sites for the visitors to get inside if possible. If not, please visit outside only.
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Day 13
TAY NINH – CU CHI – HO CHI MINH
This morning we visit Tây Ninh Combat Base was established approximately 5 km west of the city of Tây Ninh and 12 km from the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Tây Ninh served as the base for the 196th Light Infantry Brigade from April 1966 until August 1967. The base remains in use by the PAVN as part of the 7th Military Region.
Next, visit Cao Dai Holy See Temple. Tay Ninh is home to the intriguing Cao Dai sect, a uniquely Vietnamese religious movement that incorporates elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and even Catholicism from decades of external influence. Cao Dai Temple (as it is more commonly known) was built in a unique architectural style that reflects its blended traditions.
From here we continue to the Cu Chi Tunnel Complex to explore an incredible feat of perseverance and war time engineering born of necessity, and gain important insight into the prolonged struggle against invading armies. The residents of Cu Chi took the war underground into a highly developed network of tunnels that at its height stretched as far as Cambodia and included meeting rooms, kitchens and triage areas. Imperceptible from the ground, opposing armies could roll their tanks over the bunkers without causing damage to the tunnels below. Living conditions were harsh – in addition to fighting the war, residents battled food and oxygen scarcity, venomous insects, and cramped living quarters. Meeting with a VC veteran who lived and fought during the Vietnam War in this area to get to know more about the tunnel and their lives during the war.
We will pass through the Ho Bo Woods, and the Filhol Rubber Plantation on our way back to Saigon in the afternoon.
Road transfer: 112km/ 3 hrs.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation:
Hotel 4* REX (Deluxe)
Hotel 5* CARAVELLE (Deluxe)
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Day 14
HO CHI MINH CITY - DEPARTURE
Free time at leisure. Check out hotel at noon.
Depending on your flight time, transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. End of services.
Meal: Breakfast
Important Note for the trip: Some former base camps are now belonging to Vietnam military. The rest is changed into the living zone or farmland. Depending on sites, we will try to get permission on-sites for the visitors to get inside if possible. If not, please visit outside only
INCLUSIVE
● Accommodation in a twin or double room with daily breakfast
● One-night cruise on Ha Long Bay
● Private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers mentioned in the itinerary
● English-speaking guide for guided tours
● Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
● Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
● Private boat for sightseeing as mentioned in the program
● Mineral water during the transfer (2 bottles per person per day)
EXCLUSIVE
● Domestic flights Hanoi – Da Nang and Hue – Ho Chi Minh
● Personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.
● All other services not specified in the itinerary
● Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
● Vietnam visa approval letter on arrival
● Visa stamping fee at the airport (25US$ single entry to Vietnam paid by cash at the airport)
● Gratuities for guides and drivers
● Travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance)