Delta Company and others of the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry
1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
Return to Vietnam
8 – 22 APRIL 2018
Tour #: VN-18042
Tour Guide- Dave Macedonia
Vietnamese Tour Guide-Tiger Nguyen
Deadline for paid registration:January 1, 2018
Day 1-2 (Sunday-Monday, April 8 – 9, 2018) – HOUSTON to TAIPEI
Report to the International Terminal and proceed to the EVA Airlines ticketing counter for our flight to Taipei. We will lose one day crossing the International Dateline. Meals: D/B (in flight)
Day 3: (Tuesday, 10 April) – TAIPEI to SAIGON
After a short layover inTaipei where we endure the Big Speech, we depart forVietnam. We land at Tan Son Nhut Airfield (once the busiest airport in the world) and proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, clear customs, and board our waiting motor coach. We head into the center of Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by most Vietnamese) and point out sites such as the U.S. Army 3rd Field Hospital. This evening we enjoy an early Welcome Dinner. Then the rest of the evening is yours to visit some famous hotels from the war days. Meals:NO Lunch, D HotelAsian Ruby
Day 4: (Wednesday, 11 April) – TAY NINH to SAIGON to Pleiku
Early today we depart north on Thunder Road (QL-13) for Tay Ninh Province, visiting Phuoc Vinh XT 967 490), Quan Loi (Airfield XT 816 907), and An Loc (XT 760 893) and (XT 780 990). On our way to our hotel in Tay Ninh City, we explore sites of importance to the 12th CAV in the Fishhook Area. We then visit the are around Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain) and the Tay Ninh Combat Base (XT 158 513). After a special lunch we head back towards Saigon, we pass through the Filhol Rubber Plantation, Ho Bo Woods and Boi Loi Woods. Time permitting, our final stop today is the Notre Dame Cathedral. Across the street we can pick up amazing gifts at the Old Post Office. We have dinner (El Frescos) and report to Ton Son Nhut Airport for our flight to Pleiku on Vietnam Airlines Flight 1426 departing at 6:55 PM. Meals: B/L/D Hotel HAGL Hotel Gia
Day 5:(Thursday, 12 April) –Pleiku
Today we head north on Highway 14 toDak Tofor a visit to the Dak To Airfields 1 and 2, followed by viewing ofHill 875and other November 1967 battles that included 1/12th., OPCON to the 4th Infantry Division and to the 173rd Abn Bde. On our way back, we stop inKontum. Kontum was one of the major objectives of the 3-prong1972 Easter Offensive attacks by the NVA (DMZ in I-Corps; Kontum in II-Corps; and An Loc in III-Corps). We visiit Ave Maria100-year oldRosewoodChurchand theVinh Son Montagnard Orphanage en route to Pleiku, along withCamp Enari, and Artillary Hill (ZA 225 535).
Meals:B/L/D HotelHAGL Hotel Gia
NOTE- some may be part of a split tour which could visit LZ Eagle (YV855-885) or and/or LZ Hawk (YU 888 913) pending permission. This will be at an additional expense for each participant. (This option is in question, due to government permissions; the Two Streams battle site has been ruled out.
Day 6: (Friday, 13 April) – PLEIKU to QUI NHON
Today we travel east onRoute 19 towardsAn Khe (BR 480 430), An Khe Pass (BR 582 438) and Camp Holloway (AR 802 472). Continuing east we stopwhere the French Groupment Mobile 100(BR 252 483) at Mang Yang Pass were caught in a devastating ambush. Next we continue east to for a look and see. We continue downhill on our way to the coastal town of Qui Nhon where we check into our hotel and have dinner.Meals:B/L/D Hotel:Saigon Qui Nhon
Day 7: (Saturday, 14 April) –Qui Nhon to Tam Quan
We begin our day very early as we travel north onHighway One (QL-1). After Breakfast we will make brief stops at the former site of Qui Nhon City Airport and the location where the 1st Cav came ashore on September 11, 1965. Our objectives are the intersection with DT-631 and then up 506 Valley to LZ Pony (BR 808 832) and LZ Bird (BR 743 817) Back on Highway 1 we visit LZ Uplift (BR 924 752), we head east to Hoa Hoi. We cross the Bong Son Bridge (BR 87 960)and passLZ English (BS 879 005) on our way to our hotel in Tam Quan. Meals:B/L/D Hotel: DLGL- To Be Determined
Day 8: (Sunday, 15 April) –Tam Quan to Hoi An
After our overnight Tam Quan we explore the Battle of Tam Quan sites and visit other locations which were missed on Day 7 if needed. From there we head north, we pass thru Quang Ngai continuing on to Hoi An. Time permitting we may visit the Silk Factory in Hoi An. Meals:B/L/D Hotel: EEM
Day 9: (Monday, 16 April) –Free Day in Hoi An.
Hội An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda. Lunch and Dinner on your own. Meals: B Hotel: EEM
Day 10: (Tuesday, 17 April) – Hoi An to Hue
This morning we drive north on the beach road and stop at an interesting marble carving shop, as this area is famous for their stone-sculpture industries. The Marble Mountains here are visually-striking hills that rise abruptly from the flat coastal region – these mountains are home to Buddhist shrines and numerous caves. A little farther north we pass through the site of the Marble Mountain Air Facility, a U.S. helicopter base during the war. We also stop at My Khe Beach on the South China Sea for photos. My Khewas better known as“China Beach” and was used as an in-country ‘R&R’ facility for U.S. troops. We make a quick photo stop atRed Beach II(where the Marines first landed in 1965). Next, we make our way up the breathtaking Hai Van Pass(Pass of the "High Clouds"), stopping at the top to explore old French bunkers and to take in parting views ofDa Nang Bay. The Hai Van Pass had been a vital strategic military foothold for the Chinese for centuries, and was used by the French during France’s Indochina War, and by the U.S. in America’s Vietnam War. Bunkers and fortifications dot the hillsides here. Later, about eight miles before entering Hue, we pass byPhu Bai Airfield (YD 887-148)and soon enterCamp Eagle (541 318). We then enterHueCity (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam). After lunch, we will visit sites1968 Tet Offensivebattle for the southern city. We follow the actions of The Marine Regiments including the oldShell Gas Station, the formerMACV Compound, Tran Cao Van Street, Girl's High School, Hue University, Treasury, Public Health Building, Provincial Capital Building area, and theChurch of the Redemptress. We then enter theCitadel, with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to the northern battle, including theChuck Meadowsand Dong Ba Gates. We finish at theImperial Palacegate blown by 1st Bn., 5th Marine Regiment, allowing the ARVN to enter and lower the NVA flag that had flown for 24 days. Beyond the Citadel is theForbidden City, in which are the palaces ancient emperors. Then it's to our hotel on the south bank of thePerfume Riverfor a relaxing evening. Be sure to enjoy the hotel pool. After dinner, you can roam the fascinating shops on Le Loi Street until late at night. Meals:B/L/DHotel:Huong Giang
Day 11: (Wednesday, 18 April) –HUE to LAO BAO
This morning we head north on Highway 1 to visit Camp Evans (YD 541 318). Soon thereafter we enter Quang Tri City, stopping at LZ Sharon (YD 340 497). Returning to Highway 1 we stop at Long Hung Church (YD 34258 51833), a Catholic Church in which ARVN troops sought refuge during the 1972 Easter Offensive invasion from the North and in which NVA troops sought refuge as they retreated during the ARVN counter-attack. The church has been left as it stood after the battle, with scars from grenades, rockets, and bullets. We also visitBo De School (YD 33399 52193), which provides a shocking and violent reality of the ‘Battle of 81 Days and Nights’ for the city and its Citadel. The battle is infamous for the huge amount of ordnance fired by both ARVN and NVA forces. We then cross the Quang Tri Bridge, passing through the Ai Tu Airfield(Quang Tri Airbase) (YD 30703 55521). After lunch in Dong Ha, we proceed west on Route 9 (the main U.S. supply route from the coast to Khe Sanh), passing Cam Lo, Camp Carroll, the Rockpile, and LZ Stud,YD 002 493, before arriving at Khe Sanh Combat Base. After exploration, we continue west on Route 9, passing LZ Snapper (XD 845 344) to the south and then arrive at Lang Vei Special Forces Camp (XD 7844 3673)), overrun in the first-ever NVA tank assault. Co Roc Mountain soars to the heavens just across the border. Tonight, we stay in the Laotian border town of Lao Bao in somewhat Spartan accommodations.
Meals: B/L/D Hotel-SEPON HOTEL
Day 12: (Thursday, 19 April) – LAO BAO to HUE
After breakfast we travel west to the Vietnam/Laos Border Crossing. We then Backtrack east on Route 9, we turn south at theDa Krong BridgeviaHighway 14 (the new Ho Chi Minh Trail Highway)passing through theDa KrongandA Shau Valleys. We stop at A Loui (YC 388 992) and A Shau Special Forces Camp (YC 499 837) before heading east on oldRoute 547. We passFSB's Bastogne andBirmingham before arriving at our hotel in Hue City.Tonight, dinner is on our own. You may want to grab a pizza or a burger at the DMZ Bar, just a short walk from our hotel.Meals: B/L Hotel-Huong Giang
Day 13: (Friday, 20 April) HUE
Today is a FREE Day. You can shop, sample restaurants and bistros on Le Loi Street , and return to sites of of particular interest you saw on our Tet Offensive Tour on Day 10. Lunch and Dinner on your own.
Meals: B Hotel- Huong Giang
Day 14: (Saturday, 21 April) – HUE to Ho Chi Minh City
Up very early, we report to the Hue/Phu Bai Airport for our Vietnam Airlines Flight to Ho Chi Minh City Flight (VN 1371) to Ho Chi Minh City. We then prepare for our homebound journey, do some last-minute shopping on our own, or just relax in the lounge and reflect on the adventures of the last two weeks. Tonight, all hands are required at our very special Farewell Dinner (in the Asian Ruby Rooftop Restaurant). Meals:B//D Hotel- Asian Ruby
Day 15: (Sunday, 22 April) –Departure Ho Chi Minh City to CONUS
After lunch, those heading home transfer to Tan Son Nhut Airport for the EVA Flight BR 396 at 3:55 PM to Taipei. Departing from Taipei, we gain a day enroute to the continentalUnited States by re-crossing the International Dateline, arriving in Houston at approximately 11:05 p.m. this same day.Meals:B/L/ Dinner in Flight (Lunch at El Frescos)
We look forward to walking side-by-side with you in the places of our youth