Vietnam War in the Highland

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), you will be warmly greeted by your tour guide and driver, then transferred to your hotel in the city center.

Ho Chi Minh City, still remembered by many American veterans as Saigon, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once a major logistical and operational hub during the Vietnam War, it has grown into Vietnam’s largest economic and financial center and one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic metropolises. Today, modern skyscrapers and bustling commercial districts stand alongside historic landmarks, reflecting both the city’s complex past and its remarkable development.

Recognizing that a long-haul international flight can be tiring, especially for senior travelers, the remainder of the day is reserved for rest and relaxation. Depending on your arrival time and energy level, if you feel refreshed and would like to explore, our guide will be happy to accompany you on a gentle stroll through the downtown streets. Along the way, you can experience Saigon’s lively sidewalk coffee culture, observe everyday city life and discover the contrast between the city you may remember and the metropolis it has become. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today, explore the rich history and vibrant spirit of Ho Chi Minh City, a place many American veterans still remember as Saigon. Your tour guide will introduce key landmarks that reflect the city’s wartime past, colonial heritage and remarkable transformation over the decades.

Begin the morning at the Reunification Palace, formerly the Independence Palace, which served as the presidential residence and headquarters of South Vietnam until April 1975. Continue past the former site of the American Embassy, closely associated with the final days of the war, before visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Central Post Office, two notable examples of French colonial architecture in the city center.

After lunch, visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War and its lasting impact on the country and its people. Continue to Cho Lon, Saigon’s historic Chinatown, where traditional Chinese architecture, temples and busy commercial streets reveal the cultural heritage of the city’s Chinese-Vietnamese community. Depending on the time available, visit Binh Tay Market or Thien Hau Temple for a closer look at daily life and local traditions.

The day concludes at the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can browse handicrafts, souvenirs and local products. From here, you can continue exploring independently or arrange a transfer back to your hotel with your driver. The evening is free for relaxation or independent dining. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Pleiku, an important military center in Vietnam’s Central Highlands during the Vietnam War.
Upon arrival at Pleiku Airport (PXU), meet your tour guide and driver before heading south along National Highway 14 to explore significant historical sites in the region. Pass through Ham Rong Pass, also known as the Dragon Mountain area, and visit the former site of Camp Enari, which served as the headquarters of the US 4th Infantry Division. Continue through the Cacteka plantation area, a landscape associated with military operations in this part of the Central Highlands.

Further south, explore the Pleime area, associated with the 1965 Battle of Plei Me, and nearby locations connected with former military operations, including Ban Can, subject to local access and road conditions. Your tour guide will share the historical context of the region and the role these areas played during the conflict.
Today, the peaceful countryside, coffee plantations and ethnic minority communities offer a striking contrast to the region’s wartime past. The drive also provides a glimpse of everyday life in the Central Highlands and how the area has changed over the decades.

Return to Pleiku in the late afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Pleiku.

In the morning, depart Pleiku and drive north toward Kon Tum and Dak To, a region that witnessed intense fighting during the Vietnam War because of its strategic position in the Central Highlands and its proximity to important military routes.

Travel through the rugged mountainous terrain toward Dak To, an area associated with major engagements involving North Vietnamese forces, the US 4th Infantry Division and South Vietnamese forces. Explore historical sites in the area, including the former Dak To Airfield, also known as Phoenix Airstrip, and views toward Charlie Hill, subject to local access and road conditions. Your tour guide will share insights into the battles fought in this strategically important area and the role the surrounding high ground played during the conflict.

After lunch, return to Kon Tum to discover its cultural and architectural heritage. Visit the iconic Kon Tum Wooden Church, built in 1913 and known for its distinctive blend of Catholic architectural influences and traditional Bahnar craftsmanship. Continue to a nearby ethnic minority village to learn about local customs, traditional communal Rong houses and daily life in the Central Highlands.

In the late afternoon, drive back to Pleiku. Enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening after a day exploring the region’s wartime history and cultural heritage. Overnight in Pleiku.

In the morning, depart Pleiku for a scenic drive toward the coastal city of Quy Nhon via Highway 19, a historic supply route connecting the Central Highlands with the coast. During the Vietnam War, this road was vital to military logistics and troop movements between Pleiku, An Khe and Quy Nhon.

Cross the historic Mang Yang Pass, associated with major military operations during both the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War. Continue to An Khe, where the US 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) established its base at Camp Radcliff in 1965. Your tour guide will share insights into the history of this major helicopter-supported base and its role in operations across the Central Highlands.

Depending on time and local access, continue toward the Bong Son area, which witnessed significant military activity during the conflict. Along the way, pass the Phu Cat Airbase area, formerly an important US airbase during the war. As the area remains associated with military operations, access restrictions and photography regulations must be respected.

Arrive in Quy Nhon, a coastal city that served as an important port and logistics hub for US forces during the war. Its port and supply facilities played a significant role in supporting military operations across the Central Highlands. Today, Quy Nhon offers a more relaxed atmosphere, with sandy beaches and a peaceful coastline providing a welcome contrast to the region’s wartime history.

Check in at your hotel and spend the remainder of the day relaxing by the sea or enjoying a gentle walk along the waterfront. Overnight in Quy Nhon.

In the morning, leave Quy Nhon and travel south along National Route 1A toward Nha Trang. The drive passes through Tuy Hoa and the surrounding rice fields, villages and coastal lagoons of Phu Yen.

Upon arrival in Nha Trang, visit Long Son Pagoda, known for its large white Buddha statue, and the Po Nagar Cham Towers, an ancient temple complex overlooking the Cai River. During the Vietnam War, Nha Trang was an important military center and a popular rest and recuperation (R&R) destination for American servicemen. Today, it is known for its beaches, fishing port and relaxed coastal atmosphere.

Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing by the beach or taking a walk along the waterfront. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Enjoy a relaxing day in Nha Trang after several days of traveling through the Central Highlands and along the coast. The morning and early afternoon are free for you to enjoy the beach, take a walk along the waterfront, visit a nearby café or relax at your hotel. Lunch is served at a carefully selected restaurant.

In the late afternoon or early evening, your driver will transfer you to Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) for your evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel on your final morning in Saigon. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for some last-minute shopping, pick up a few souvenirs or relax at a sidewalk café and watch the city go about its daily life.

At the agreed time, your driver will transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) for your departure flight.

As your tour through the Central Highlands and coastal regions of Vietnam comes to an end, we thank you for choosing WaytoVietnam Travel. We hope this trip has given you the chance to revisit places connected with the war, see how Vietnam has changed over the years and experience the country beyond its history. We wish you a safe journey home and hope to welcome you back to Vietnam in the future.