8 Days War Memory

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), your tour guide and your driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in the city center.
Welcome back to Ho Chi Minh City, still fondly known as Saigon by many. For veterans returning after decades, the city may bring back memories of the war years, yet much has changed. Once shaped by the events of the Vietnam War, Saigon has grown into one of Southeast Asia’s leading economic and financial centers. Former military areas and familiar streets now sit alongside modern skyscrapers, tree-lined boulevards, busy cafés and lively street markets. As you settle in, you will have your first glimpse of a city that has transformed while remaining an important part of Vietnam’s history.
After your long international flight, the rest of the day is free to rest and recover from your journey. If you feel up to it, you may take a short walk around the city center. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel for a full-day exploration of Saigon’s wartime history and cultural landmarks.

Begin with a stop at the former site of the US Embassy on Le Duan Street, a location deeply associated with the Tet Offensive in 1968 and the final evacuation of American personnel from Saigon in April 1975. Continue to the Reunification Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace and headquarters of the South Vietnamese government. Explore its historic rooms, the underground command bunker, and learn about the decisive events of April 30, 1975.

Next, visit the War Remnants Museum, whose photographs, military equipment, and historical exhibits offer a poignant look at the Vietnam War and its lasting impact. Afterward, admire the nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the Central Post Office, two prominent landmarks from Saigon’s French colonial era.

Head to Bach Dang Wharf along the Saigon River, a historic waterfront area that offers a glimpse of the city’s heritage as a vital military and commercial port. After lunch, explore Cho Lon (Chinatown), visiting the intricate Thien Hau Pagoda and the bustling Binh Tay Market to discover the rich culture of Saigon’s Chinese-Vietnamese community.

Conclude the day at Ben Thanh Market, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, before returning to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax at your leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for a morning flight to Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Set along the Perfume River, Hue is known for its royal architecture, historic pagodas, and cultural heritage, as well as its important place in the history of the Vietnam War.

Upon arrival at Phu Bai International Airport (HUI), your tour guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to the city center. Along the way, pass the area where Camp Eagle, a major US military base during the war, was once located.

After lunch, explore the grand Hue Imperial Citadel, including the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City. Your tour guide will explain the events of the 1968 Tet Offensive, when Hue became the scene of intense fighting between North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces and South Vietnamese and US troops. Walk through the historic grounds, where restored palaces and surviving structures offer a glimpse into the city’s imperial past and the damage caused by the battle.

Continue to Dong Ba Market, Hue’s main traditional market along the Perfume River. Browse stalls selling local products and discover the region’s distinctive food culture before transferring to your hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is free to relax. Overnight in Hue.

Depart Hue in the morning and drive north along Highway 1 toward the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a region that witnessed some of the fiercest fighting during the Vietnam War. Along the way, pass areas associated with former military installations, including Camp Evans, Fire Support Base Nancy, and Ai Tu Combat Base and Airfield.
Continue to Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, the site of intense fighting during the 81-day battle in the summer of 1972. Learn about the battle’s significance and its lasting impact on the town and surrounding communities.

Proceed to Dong Ha and learn about the area known during the war as Leatherneck Square, bounded by Con Thien, Gio Linh, Dong Ha and Cam Lo. Continue to Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River, which formed part of the provisional military demarcation line between North and South Vietnam under the 1954 Geneva Accords.
Visit Doc Mieu, a former military position associated with the McNamara Line, before continuing to the Vinh Moc Tunnels. Explore this remarkable underground network, where local villagers sheltered and maintained daily life during heavy bombing campaigns.
After the visits, transfer to your hotel in Dong Ha and check in. Overnight in Dong Ha.

In the morning, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Dong Ha and travel west along historic Route 9 toward Khe Sanh. This strategic corridor linking Vietnam with Laos was the scene of major military operations during the Vietnam War. Along the way, pass former fire support bases and military positions, including Camp Carroll and the area around the Rockpile, a prominent observation post used by US Marines. Continue across Dakrong Bridge, near an important section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail network.
Upon arrival at Khe Sanh Combat Base, explore the former airfield and the outdoor displays of military equipment and wartime artifacts. Learn about the 1968 siege and the role Khe Sanh played in the wider conflict.
Continue southwest to the site of Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, where US Special Forces and South Vietnamese troops faced a North Vietnamese assault supported by tanks in February 1968. Your guide will explain the battle’s significance and the camp’s role in the fighting around Khe Sanh.

In the afternoon, begin the return journey east along Route 9, passing through the mountainous landscape of the former DMZ before continuing south to Hue. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, depending on road conditions and the time spent at each site. Overnight in Hue.

Depart Hue and travel south toward Hoi An along one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal routes. Stop at Lang Co Beach before crossing Hai Van Pass, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the coastline and see former military bunkers near the summit.
Continue to Da Nang to visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, home to an important collection of artifacts from the ancient Champa civilization, followed by the Marble Mountains and My Khe Beach. Known to many American servicemen as China Beach, the area became a familiar R&R destination during the Vietnam War. Nearby, US Marines came ashore near Da Nang in March 1965, marking a major escalation of American ground involvement in the conflict.
Upon arrival in Hoi An, check in at your hotel. In the late afternoon, enjoy a private meeting with a Vietnamese veteran who participated in the resistance war against the United States. Hear his personal memories and reflections on the conflict, exchange perspectives and learn how life in Vietnam has changed over the decades. The conversation offers an opportunity to connect through shared history and reflect on the importance of peace and reconciliation. Overnight in Hoi An.

Spend the morning exploring Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved architecture and blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. Enjoy a guided walking tour through its historic streets, visiting landmarks such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and the bustling market along the Thu Bon River. These sites reflect Hoi An’s history as an international trading port and its rich cultural heritage.

After lunch, transfer to Da Nang International Airport for your afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), your driver will transfer you to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the city independently. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Tailor Shops in Hoi An

Restaurants in Hoi An

Enjoy some free time at your hotel before your driver transfers you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) for your departure flight.

Thank you for traveling with WaytoVietnam Travel and allowing us to be part of your return to Vietnam. We hope the places you revisited, the stories you heard and the people you met have given you fresh memories to take home. We wish you a safe journey and hope to welcome you back to Vietnam again.