DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL - HO CHI MINH

On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, 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 cafés. ( If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.
 

DAY 2: HO CHI MINH
Today we enjoy a full day sightseeing tour taking us to some major sights of Ho Chi Minh. We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous edifice was the former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. The following sights are the History Museum and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. We also visit the War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sales! The remainder of the day will be free for you to further explore the town or simply to relax. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

DAY 3 : HO CHI MINH -  CU CHI TUNNELS  - TAY NINH - BA DEN
The famous Cu Chi Tunnels were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. We head out of town today to see this war site before continuing to Tay Ninh, the head quarter of Cao Dai sect. We arrive in time to visit the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service. The next stop of our trip will be Ba Den Mountain which was a base for the US Army’s 25th Infantry Division. Our drive passes by the former Michelin rubber plantations before delivering us to Ba Den Mountain. Here is a chance to take cable to the summit for an impressive view of the surrounding areas. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

DAY 4 : HO CHI MINH - BIEN HOA - LONG BINH - VUNG TAU

Heading out of town we drive along the highway No 1 to visit Bien Hoa and Long Binh, the former USARV head quarters. This area now is transformed into industrial parks developed by foreign investment. Along the way we also have a chance to make stop over Di An and Bear Cat. Turning southwest we head towards Vung Tau beach, which is crowded and no longer scenic. After checking into hotel we enjoy swimming or seeing some places of interest, including Villa Blanche, mountaintop Jesus, Light House, Niet Ban Tinh Xa Pagoda. O/N in Vung Tau. (B)

DAY 5 : VUNG TAU - XUAN LOC - HO CHI MINH

The sun and sea are also a highlights of our trip to Vung Tau. After the last swimming opportunity we depart this town and drive back to Ho Chi Minh, using slightly different route passing by the 11th Armored Cav’s former headquarters. Today we have plenty of time so we can make stop as much as you please, to visit Xuan Loc, the site of the last fierce ARVN/NVA battle in 1975 before the fall of Saigon. On arrival in Ho Chi Minh we have free time for your own exploration of the town or catching up on many shopping areas. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

DAY 6 : HO CHI MINH - DONG XOAI
An early morning start to drive north, passing the Iron Triangle to the restored village of Ben Suc - a well know VC arms port on the Saigon river where the Col Alexander Haig landed with his 1st Division, unit to kick off Operation Cedar Falls. We travel up the highway No 13 well known as Thunder Road past Phu Cuong before arriving at Phu Loi . Here was a base for the ARVN 5th Division Headquarter , 1st US Aviation Brigade, POW Camp and the old 128th AHC airfield. A next stop of our trip is Ben Cat and Lai Khe, which was the 3rd Brigade de Head quarters of the US 1st Infantry Division , home also to the 173rd AHC and now a rubber research center. Upon leaving this area we make our way towards Loc Ninh to visit some of many combat bases. O/N in Dong Xoai. (B)

DAY 7 : DONG XOAI - HO CHI MINH
The exciting journey continues towards Bu Dang and Bu Dop, a special forces camp in northern III Corps. A next stop of our trip is  Song Be Province and War Zone D to explore some key locations. These violent battlefields are still in many veterans’ memory. We make our way back to Ho Chi Minh. A part of the pleasure of travelling in this region is the simple joy of seeing the rice fields and the smiling faces of the people. The remainder of the day will be free for your own exploration of the town and catching up on many shopping areas. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

DAY 8: HO CHI MINH - DEPARTURE
There is a free time to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh City. The tour ends after your transfer to Tan San Nhat Airport for departure. (B)