Sai Gon - Central Highlands - My Lai - Quang Tri DMZ - Hanoi

Welcome to Saigon, a city many American veterans remember from their time in Vietnam. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), your tour guide and your driver will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in the city center for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and recover after your flight. For those returning after many years, Saigon offers an opportunity to reflect on past experiences while seeing how the city has changed over the decades. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up for a full-day excursion north of Saigon into the historic Iron Triangle, an area that saw intense fighting during the Vietnam War. Traveling along Highway 13, pass through former military zones around Lai Khe, associated with the US 1st Infantry Division, and Ben Cat, near areas used by the 503rd Infantry Regiment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The route also passes areas linked to former bases of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Continue to Tay Ninh to visit the Great Temple of Cao Dai, the Holy See of Cao Dai, a distinctive religion founded in Vietnam that combines elements from several religious traditions. Admire the temple’s colorful architecture and, if the timing is suitable, observe the noon worship ceremony.

After lunch, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network used by Viet Cong forces during the war. Parts of the network lay beneath or near former US military positions, including areas associated with the 25th Infantry Division. Learn how the tunnels were built and used during the conflict, including the Tet Offensive of 1968. If you wish, you can explore an accessible section of the tunnels, depending on your comfort and mobility.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for the drive to My Tho in the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, board a boat to explore the Mekong River and its smaller waterways. Enjoy views of fertile farmland and rural life as you visit fruit orchards and family workshops producing traditional rice paper and other local products. Sample seasonal tropical fruits and enjoy a traditional Don Ca Tai Tu music performance, a musical art form associated with southern Vietnam. Lunch features the region’s specialty, elephant-ear fish, served at a riverside garden restaurant.
After the boat trip, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, known for its distinctive architecture blending Vietnamese, Chinese and European influences. Continue to Dong Tam Snake Farm, a well-known snake-breeding and research center. The visit also offers a chance to recall the history of the former Dong Tam military area, which played a role in the Vietnam War.

Continue by private vehicle to Can Tho. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Can Tho.

In the morning, your tour guide and your driver will transfer you to the pier for a boat excursion to Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the Mekong Delta’s best-known floating markets. Experience the lively trading scene as vendors sell fresh produce, fruits and other goods directly from their boats. Continue cruising along smaller canals to visit a family-run orchard, where you can sample fresh tropical fruits and enjoy green tea while learning about daily life in the Mekong Delta.

Afterward, return to the pier and continue by private vehicle to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping for lunch along the way. Arrive at your hotel at around 17:00 and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Best Homestays in Mekong Delta

Can Tho City

Cai Rang Floating Market

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a full-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, exploring key sites connected to the Vietnam War and the city’s earlier history.
Begin at the Reunification Palace, formerly the Independence Palace and headquarters of the South Vietnamese government. Visit the main reception rooms, presidential offices and underground command bunker, where military and political matters were handled during the war. The palace became a defining site in the final days of the conflict. On April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese tanks entered its grounds, marking the fall of Saigon and the end of the war.
Continue to the War Remnants Museum, which displays military equipment, photographs, documents and personal accounts related to the conflict. Its exhibits explore the war’s impact on Vietnamese civilians and soldiers and present material from different perspectives.
Next, stop at the site of the former US Embassy on Le Duan Street. The embassy compound became associated with the Tet Offensive in 1968 and, later, the final evacuation of American personnel from Saigon during Operation Frequent Wind in April 1975. Although the original embassy building no longer stands, the site remains an important point of reference for understanding these events.

After lunch, head to Cho Lon, Saigon’s historic Chinatown, to visit Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, and Binh Tay Market, a major trading center serving the Chinese-Vietnamese community.
Return to the city center to see the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, prominent landmarks from the French colonial period. Nearby, learn about the history of the Rex Hotel, a well-known wartime gathering place for American military personnel and correspondents. The area around the cathedral was also associated with the former John F. Kennedy Square.
Conclude the day with a visit to a lacquerware workshop to see how traditional Vietnamese lacquer products are made. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. . Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for the drive southeast to Vung Tau. Along Highway 1, pass through areas associated with several major US and allied military installations during the Vietnam War, including Di An, Bien Hoa Air Base, the former Long Binh Logistics Complex and Bear Cat, once associated with the US 9th Infantry Division and Royal Thai forces.

Upon arrival in Vung Tau, a coastal city remembered by many American veterans as an important Rest and Recuperation (R&R) destination during the war, visit some of its best-known historical and cultural landmarks. Explore Villa Blanche (White Palace), climb to Vung Tau Lighthouse for views over the coastline, visit Niet Ban Tinh Xa Pagoda, also known as Nirvana Meditation Pagoda, and see the Statue of Christ atop Mount Nho.
After the visits, check in at your hotel and enjoy free time to relax on the beach. Overnight in Vung Tau.

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for the drive north along the coast from Vung Tau to Nha Trang. Traveling along Highway 1, pass through Xuan Loc, the site of a major battle in April 1975 during the final phase of the Vietnam War. Continue through areas around Phan Thiet and Phan Rang, where former military installations played a role during the conflict.
As you approach Cam Ranh Bay, learn about its strategic importance as a deep-water harbor and a major US military logistics and naval facility during the war. Stop for lunch along the way before continuing to Nha Trang.
Upon arrival, visit Bao Dai Villas, a group of historic villas set on coastal hills overlooking Nha Trang Bay. Then check in at your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax on the beach or explore the city. Overnight in Nha Trang.

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for the drive from Nha Trang into the Central Highlands. Traveling along Highway 21, the road climbs from the coastal plains through Phoenix Pass (Dốc Phượng Hoàng), a strategic route during the Vietnam War and the 1975 Central Highlands Campaign. Your tour guide will explain the pass’s historical significance as you travel inland through the changing landscape.
Arrive in Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of Dak Lak Province and the center of Vietnam’s coffee-growing region. The city played a decisive role in the final phase of the war when North Vietnamese forces launched a major offensive here in March 1975, setting in motion a series of events that led to the collapse of South Vietnam.

After lunch, visit a traditional coffee plantation to learn about coffee cultivation and sample locally grown coffee. Continue to Ako Dhong Village, known for its traditional Ede longhouses and cultural heritage. Learn about the Ede community and its history in the Central Highlands, including the role of some Ede people who served in Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) units supported by US Special Forces during the war.
Check in at your hotel upon arrival and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot.

At 8:30 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a relaxed day exploring the countryside and cultural heritage around Buon Ma Thuot. Drive through rubber and coffee plantations to Buon Don, a village historically known for its elephant-hunting and taming traditions.
Learn about the cultural heritage of the Ede and M’nong communities, whose traditions are closely connected to the forests and rivers of the Central Highlands. Your tour guide will also explain the wartime role of some local indigenous people who served alongside US Special Forces in Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) units.
Explore traditional wooden stilt houses and, depending on local conditions, walk across suspension bridges over the Serepok River. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant before returning to Buon Ma Thuot in the afternoon.
If time permits, visit the World Coffee Museum to learn about coffee culture in Vietnam and beyond. Alternatively, enjoy a quiet break at a café and sample locally grown highland coffee. Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot.

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for the drive north along Highway 14 through the Central Highlands toward Pleiku and Kon Tum. As you travel through Gia Lai Province, learn about the region’s role in the Vietnam War, including the former Camp Enari, once the headquarters of the US 4th Infantry Division, and the military areas around Pleime.
The route also passes through the broader region associated with the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965. Your tour guide will explain the significance of the fighting around LZ X-Ray and LZ Albany, where US air cavalry units and North Vietnamese forces fought in some of the best-known engagements of the war.
Stop for lunch along the way before continuing north toward Kon Tum. The surrounding highlands saw further heavy fighting, including during the 1972 Easter Offensive. Learn about former military positions in the area, including the ridge known as Rocket Ridge, subject to the route and access conditions.
Upon arrival in Kon Tum, visit a Bahnar village to learn about traditional architecture and local life, then see Kon Tum Wooden Church, a landmark known for its distinctive combination of local and European architectural influences.
Check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kon Tum.

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for the drive from the Central Highlands toward the coastal city of Quy Nhon. Travel along Highway 19, crossing Mang Yang Pass, a strategic route that saw military action during both the French Indochina War and the Vietnam War.
Continue through An Khe, an important US military hub during the Vietnam War. The area was home to Camp Radcliff, the base of the US 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), which conducted major operations across the Central Highlands. Your tour guide will explain the military significance of An Khe and Highway 19, which connected the highlands with the coastal supply centers.
Stop in Tay Son to visit Quang Trung Museum, dedicated to Emperor Quang Trung and the Tay Son movement. The museum also introduces the region’s traditional martial arts heritage. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant before continuing to Quy Nhon, which served as an important logistics center for the US 1st Logistical Command and a Rest and Recuperation (R&R) destination during the war.
Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy free time to relax on the beach or explore the city. Overnight in Quy Nhon.

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Quy Nhon for the drive north to Quang Ngai along Highway 1. This stretch of the central coast passes through several areas associated with major military operations and logistics activities during the Vietnam War.
As you leave Quy Nhon, learn about the city’s former role as an important supply center for US forces, including petroleum storage facilities and ammunition depots that supported military operations in the surrounding region. Continue past the area around Phu Cat Air Base, a major US air installation during the war. Your tour guide will explain its role in air operations and military logistics in central Vietnam.

Travel onward through Bong Son, an area that saw extensive fighting during the war, including operations in the northern part of former Binh Dinh Province. Continue through Duc Pho, where former US and South Vietnamese military bases supported operations along the coastal corridor between Binh Dinh and former Quang Ngai Province.
Stop for lunch along the way before continuing to Quang Ngai. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Quang Ngai.

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Quang Ngai for a visit to the My Lai (Son My) Massacre Memorial, one of the most significant historical sites associated with the Vietnam War. Learn about the tragic events of March 16, 1968, when civilians in the village of Son My were killed by US soldiers, and explore the memorial’s exhibits, photographs and preserved historical remains. The visit offers an opportunity to understand the impact of the massacre on local communities and its lasting place in the history of the war.
After the visit, enjoy lunch before continuing by private vehicle north to Da Nang. The drive follows the central coast, passing through areas of former Quang Ngai Province and the Tam Ky region. Arrive in Da Nang in the late afternoon and check in at your hotel. The evening is free to relax after the drive. Overnight in Da Nang.

At 8:30 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a day exploring Da Nang’s wartime history and cultural heritage before continuing to Hoi An.
Begin with a visit to the former Da Nang Air Base, an important US military aviation facility during the Vietnam War. Continue to Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, built by American contractors during the 1960s to support military transportation between Tien Sa Port and the city. The bridge was later named after Nguyen Van Troi, a Vietnamese revolutionary executed in 1964 after being convicted of attempting to assassinate US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.
Visit My Khe Beach, a coastline familiar to many American servicemen during the war, before continuing to the Marble Mountains, known for their limestone hills, caves and Buddhist pagodas. Enjoy lunch at a carefully selected restaurant before driving to Hoi An.

In Hoi An, meet a Vietnamese veteran who participated in the resistance war against the United States. Through a personal conversation, hear about his wartime experiences, memories and reflections on the conflict, as well as his perspective on the changes Vietnam has undergone since the war. This is an opportunity for a genuine exchange of experiences and perspectives between people who may once have stood on opposite sides of the conflict.
After the meeting, take a walk through Hoi An Ancient Town, with its historic merchant houses, assembly halls and narrow streets reflecting centuries of cultural exchange. In the late afternoon, return to Da Nang. Overnight in Da Nang.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Tailor Shops in Hoi An

Restaurants in Da Nang City

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Da Nang for the drive north to Hue. Begin with a visit to the area known as Red Beach, near the site where the first US Marine combat troops landed in Vietnam on March 8, 1965, marking a major turning point in the American military involvement in the war.
Continue along the coast and cross Hai Van Pass, a scenic mountain route that also held strategic importance during the conflict. Enjoy views over the coastline before continuing to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.

After lunch, visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Flag Tower, which became a focal point during the Battle of Hue in the 1968 Tet Offensive. Learn about the intense fighting that took place in and around the Citadel, one of the longest and most destructive battles of the war.
At the end of the tour, transfer to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free to relax. Overnight in Hue.

At 8:30 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a full-day exploration of Hue’s historical and cultural heritage. Board a traditional dragon boat for a scenic cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s most iconic Buddhist landmarks. Here, see the historic Austin car associated with Venerable Thich Quang Duc, who was driven to Saigon in this vehicle before his self-immolation in June 1963 in protest against religious persecution under the Ngo Dinh Diem government. The event became a defining moment in South Vietnam’s political history.
Continue by private vehicle to explore the royal tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty, beginning with Tu Duc Tomb, set among pine trees, lotus ponds and landscaped gardens. Enjoy a traditional Hue-style lunch at a carefully selected restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit Minh Mang Tomb, known for its harmonious architecture and tranquil surroundings, followed by Khai Dinh Tomb, whose elaborate mosaics and decorative details blend Vietnamese, Asian and European influences.
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in Hue.

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a full-day tour north into the historic Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in former Quang Tri.
Drive along Highway 1, passing areas associated with former military installations, including Camp Evans and Fire Support Base Nancy. Continue to Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, the site of intense fighting during the 81-day battle in the summer of 1972, before visiting Ai Tu Combat Base, a former military installation associated with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam’s 3rd Infantry Division.
Upon reaching Dong Ha, learn about Leatherneck Square, the area bounded by Con Thien, Gio Linh, Dong Ha and Cam Lo, where US Marine Corps forces conducted major operations, including Operation Buffalo in 1966.

Continue north across historic Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River, which formed part of the provisional military demarcation line separating North and South Vietnam under the 1954 Geneva Accords. Explore Doc Mieu, a former military position associated with the McNamara Line, and visit Vinh Moc Tunnels, where local villagers lived underground to shelter from heavy bombing during the war.
Pay your respects at Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery, a major memorial honoring Vietnamese soldiers and volunteers who died along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Before returning to Dong Ha, stop near the former Con Thien Fire Support Base, a strategically important US Marine Corps position near the DMZ, subject to road conditions and access.
Check in at your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight in Dong Ha.

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a journey west along historic Route 9 toward the Lao border, following a route closely associated with military operations during the Vietnam War. Along the way, pass former US military positions and fire support bases, stopping to view the Rockpile, a prominent observation post used by US Marines, and Dakrong Bridge, near an important section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail network.
Continue to Khe Sanh Combat Base, the site of the famous 77-day siege in 1968. Explore the former airstrip and the base’s outdoor displays of military equipment and wartime artifacts. Your tour guide will explain the strategic importance of Khe Sanh and the surrounding hills, as well as the earlier French military presence in the area.
Enjoy lunch at a restaurant before driving back southeast through Dong Ha to Hue Railway Station. In the evening, board an overnight sleeper train to Hanoi. Overnight on board the train.

Upon early morning arrival at Hanoi Railway Station, your tour guide and your driver will meet you and transfer you to a carefully selected restaurant for breakfast and refreshments.
Begin your tour at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, visiting Ba Dinh Square, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and President Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House. Learn about his role in Vietnam’s struggle for independence and the events that shaped the country’s modern history.
Continue to Huu Tiep Lake in Ngoc Ha Village to see the preserved wreckage of a US B-52 bomber shot down during Operation Linebacker II in December 1972. Next, visit the Vietnam Military History Museum, where an extensive collection of military equipment, aircraft, weapons and wartime artifacts provides insight into Vietnam’s military history, including the conflict with the United States.

Enjoy lunch at a carefully selected restaurant before transferring to your hotel for check-in and some time to rest after the overnight train journey.
In the afternoon, visit Hoa Lo Prison Relic, widely known among American prisoners of war as the “Hanoi Hilton.” Explore exhibits covering the prison’s history under French colonial rule and its later use to detain American pilots during the Vietnam War.
Conclude the day with a traditional cyclo ride through the bustling streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, offering a glimpse of the capital’s historic streets and everyday life. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi Capital City

Restaurants in Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out. At the scheduled time, your driver will transfer you to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) for your departure flight.
Thank you for traveling with WaytoVietnam Travel. We hope this tour has given you valuable insights into Vietnam’s history, culture and people, along with opportunities to revisit places connected to your memories of the Vietnam War. We wish you a safe journey home and look forward to welcoming you back to Vietnam in the future.

If this itinerary does not fully match your interests, travel plans or personal experiences, please contact us. Our team will be happy to tailor a private Vietnam tour to your specific interests, including particular wartime locations, former military bases or battlefields you would like to revisit.