Vietnam War in the Highland

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 cafe. (If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. O/N in 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.

The central highlands are our next destination. After breakfast we board a short flight, taking over mountainous regions to Pleiku, the most strategically important position during the Vietnam War. On arrival we set off on a drive southward highway No 14 to visit Ham Rong Pass and Camp Enari, which was the former headquarter of the 4th Infantry Division. The following war sites are Cacteka plantation, Pleime, and Ban Can. This village is the former operational areas of the 4th Division. O/N in Pleiku.

Heading out of town we travel by roads to Komtum with a look of the former US DZ site where some French barracks are still standing. This rough mountainous area was once a violent battle field between the NVA units and the 4th Division along the Ho Chi Minh and Sihanouk trails. On arrival we explore areas of Dakto including the former airbase and the Chalie hill. We return to the town for lunch and visit the old wooden church and several hill tribe villages. O/N in Pleiku.

The impressive journey begins as we depart Pleiku and drive to Quy Nhon Town, which was a supply depot of the first Log Command. We cross over the Mang Yang Pass before traversing An Khe , a major military area where you could find the First Air Cavalry Division among other units. We head north to visit the petroleum farm , the ammunition dump and the strategic Bong Son Area. Along the way we pass by Phu Cat Airbase which is now managed by Vietnamese Army therefore no picture is allowed. O/N in Quy Nhon.

Today we make our way along the central coast though Tuy Hoa rice bowl towards Nha Trang. A part of the pleasure of traveling in this region is the simple joy of seeing the rice fields and the smiling faces of the people. On arrival in Nha Trang we enjoy a short city tour, seeing the Long Son Pagoda and the impressive Ponagar Cham Towers, which are overlooking the colorful fishing port. The remainder of the day will be free to enjoy a well earned rest on a beach. O/N in Nha Trang.

The fabulous sunny weather, turquoise water surrounding a string of islands and white sandy beach stretching the whole length of the city make Nha Trang one of Vietnam's premier beach resorts. Today we have time for a well earned rest on a beach or exploring the town on your own pace. In early afternoon we regroup at hotel for transfer to airport for a short flight back to Ho Chi Minh. The rest of day will be fee to catch up on many funny shopping areas. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

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.