Vietnam War Tour

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), once a major military airbase during the Vietnam War, you will be warmly welcomed by your private guide and driver from WaytoVietnam Travel and transferred to your hotel in the city center.

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately known to many as Saigon. For veterans returning after decades, arriving in a city so closely connected with their past may bring back memories of a very different time. Once a major center of military and political activity, Saigon has evolved into a vibrant metropolis where historic landmarks, tree-lined boulevards, modern skyscrapers and traditional neighborhoods reflect the remarkable changes Vietnam has undergone.

After check-in, take time to rest and recover from your international flight. Depending on your arrival time and how you feel, you may wish to enjoy a traditional Vietnamese coffee, take a gentle stroll nearby or simply relax at the hotel.

There is no scheduled sightseeing today, giving you time to settle in comfortably before exploring Vietnam’s wartime history, experiencing its living culture and discovering the peaceful everyday life of the country today.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

After breakfast, begin exploring Ho Chi Minh City, still widely known as Saigon, through the landmarks that tell the story of its wartime past and historical transformation.

Visit the War Remnants Museum for an insight into the Vietnam War and its lasting impact on the country and its people. Continue to the Independence Palace, formerly known as the Presidential Palace of South Vietnam, where the events of April 30, 1975 marked a turning point in the nation’s history.

Continue to the Notre-Dame Cathedral area and the Central Post Office, two notable landmarks reflecting Saigon’s French colonial heritage. Then explore Cho Lon, the city’s historic Chinatown, where traditional temples, busy streets and long-established businesses reveal another side of Saigon’s cultural life.

Enjoy lunch at a carefully selected restaurant before returning to the city center. In the late afternoon, visit Ben Thanh Market, one of Saigon’s best-known landmarks, where you can browse local handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing and Vietnamese specialties. Take your time shopping or simply soak up the lively atmosphere before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Shopping Malls in Ho Chi Minh City

Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

Art and cultural performances in Ho Chi Minh

In the morning, travel through the countryside northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. This extensive underground network played an important role during the Vietnam War, serving as a base for guerrilla operations and providing shelter, supply routes, and communication links. Explore the site and learn about the ingenuity, hardships, and survival strategies of those who lived and fought underground.

Continue to Tay Ninh to visit the Cao Dai Holy See, the spiritual center of Caodaism, a distinctive Vietnamese religion that draws on elements of several religious traditions. Discover its colorful architecture and learn about the beliefs and practices of this unique faith.

After lunch, proceed to Ba Den Mountain (Black Virgin Mountain), one of southern Vietnam’s most prominent natural landmarks. Once a strategic high-altitude military lookout, the mountain has transformed into a peaceful scenic and cultural destination. Take the modern cable car to the summit to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, with its patchwork of fields and distant horizons.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

In the morning, leave Ho Chi Minh City and travel south toward the Mekong Delta, in the area formerly known as Tien Giang Province and now part of Dong Thap Province. En route, visit the Dong Tam snake farm area near My Tho, historically associated with Dong Tam Base Camp, an important base for the US 9th Infantry Division and the Mobile Riverine Force during the Vietnam War.

Continue to Ap Bac, the site of the historic Battle of Ap Bac in January 1963, an important early engagement in the conflict. For veterans returning to Vietnam, this visit offers an opportunity to revisit a significant wartime location and see how the surrounding countryside has changed over the decades.

After lunch, continue to Cai Be for a leisurely boat trip along the waterways of the Mekong Delta. Cruise past green islands, observe daily life along the riverbanks and visit traditional family-run workshops, such as those producing rice paper or coconut candy, depending on local operating conditions. Stop at a tropical fruit orchard to sample seasonal fruits before winding through palm-lined canals and returning to your vehicle.

Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

In the morning, travel east from Ho Chi Minh City along Highway 1 toward Bien Hoa and Long Binh, once key centers of US military operations during the Vietnam War. Long Binh Post served as a major logistics hub and housed important headquarters, including elements of United States Army Vietnam (USARV). Today, much of the former military area has given way to industrial parks and expanding urban communities, reflecting the dramatic changes Vietnam has undergone since the war.

En route, pass through or near former military areas such as Di An and Bear Cat (Camp Martin Cox), once associated with US Army operations in the region. Continue southeast toward Xuan Loc, passing areas associated with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, to reach the site where one of the last major battles of the war took place in April 1975. The Battle of Xuan Loc was a fierce engagement in the final weeks before the end of the conflict, making this an important stop for veterans interested in revisiting the region’s wartime history.

After lunch, return to Ho Chi Minh City, with opportunities to reflect on the contrast between the former military landscape and the region’s development today. The route and stops can be adjusted for veterans wishing to revisit particular locations connected with their service.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Take a morning flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku, in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, a region that played a significant role during the Vietnam War. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel before setting out to explore key wartime locations associated with US military operations in the area.

Travel south along Highway 14 toward Ham Rong Mountain Pass and the former Camp Enari, once the base camp of the US 4th Infantry Division. Although much of the former military landscape has changed, these locations remain important landmarks for veterans seeking to reconnect with the region’s wartime history.

Continue to former operational areas around Cactecka Plantation, Plei Me and Bau Can, where military operations took place during the war. Learn about the strategic significance of the Central Highlands and the role these locations played in the wider conflict. The itinerary can be adapted to include specific bases or sites connected with your military service, subject to accessibility.

Return to Pleiku in the late afternoon. Overnight in Pleiku.

In the morning, travel north from Pleiku toward Kon Tum, then continue northwest to Dak To and the former battlefields of the Central Highlands. This region witnessed intense fighting during the Vietnam War, particularly during the 1972 Easter Offensive. Visit the former Dak To airfield area before continuing toward Charlie Hill (Hill 1015) and nearby Hill 1049, also known as Deta. These strategic high points were the scenes of fierce fighting and remain significant landmarks for veterans interested in revisiting the Central Highlands campaign. Access to the former battlefield sites is subject to road conditions and local arrangements.

After lunch, return to Kon Tum to explore its cultural heritage. Visit the century-old Kon Tum Wooden Cathedral, completed in 1918, whose architecture combines European Romanesque influences with traditional Bahnar stilt-house elements. Continue to nearby Bahnar villages to learn about the community’s traditional architecture, customs and everyday life.

Drive back to Pleiku in the late afternoon. Overnight in Pleiku.

In the morning, visit the former Camp Holloway site near Pleiku, once an important US Army aviation and logistics base during the Vietnam War. Depending on access and local arrangements, explore the surrounding area and learn about its wartime role. You may also visit a nearby Jarai village to discover the community’s distinctive cultural traditions, traditional homes and everyday life.

Afterward, depart Pleiku and travel east along historic Highway 19 toward the coast. Cross Mang Yang Pass and continue through the An Khe area, a region closely associated with major US military operations. The route follows a historic military corridor that connected the Central Highlands with the coastal supply bases.

Continue to Quy Nhon, which served as a major logistics and supply hub for US forces operating in the Central Highlands during the war. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing by the beach, offering a welcome break after several days exploring former battlefields.

Overnight in Quy Nhon.

In the morning, travel north along coastal Highway 1, passing the former Phu Cat Airbase and crossing the coastal plains around Bong Son, Mo Duc, and Duc Pho, with the eastern foothills of the Truong Son Mountains forming the backdrop.

Continue to Quang Ngai Province to visit the Son My Memorial (My Lai), a place of solemn remembrance dedicated to the civilians killed on March 16, 1968. Take time to reflect on the human cost of war and pay your respects at this important memorial site.

Continue north past the former Chu Lai Airbase, once a major US Marine Corps aviation base and an important military facility during the war. Today, the surrounding area has developed into a growing economic and commercial zone.

Arrive in Hoi An in the late afternoon and check in at your hotel. Spend the evening exploring the charm of this UNESCO-listed ancient town, with its lantern-lit streets, historic architecture, and peaceful riverside atmosphere.

Overnight in Hoi An.

In the morning, enjoy a gentle walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its well-preserved architecture and blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, historic merchant houses, and the lively market to discover the town’s rich trading heritage.

Afterward, travel north toward Hue, stopping in Da Nang to visit the Marble Mountains, a cluster of limestone and marble hills dotted with caves and pagodas. Continue past My Khe Beach, historically known to many American servicemen as China Beach, which became a popular rest and recreation area during the war.

Drive over the spectacular Hai Van Pass, also known as the Ocean Cloud Pass, and enjoy sweeping views of Da Nang Bay and Lang Co Bay, weather permitting. As you approach Hue, pass near the former Camp Eagle area, once an important base of the US 101st Airborne Division. Viewing opportunities may be limited because the former military site has since been redeveloped.

Arrive in Hue, Vietnam’s last imperial capital, and check in to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a dinner cruise along the Perfume River accompanied by traditional Vietnamese music.

Overnight in Hue.

Depart Hue early in the morning and travel north along Highway 1 toward Quang Tri, passing former military sites including Camp Evans, Fire Support Base Nancy, and Ai Tu Airfield. Continue to Dong Ha, the gateway to Leatherneck Square, the historic combat area south of the DMZ bounded by Con Thien, Gio Linh, Dong Ha, and Cam Lo. This region witnessed some of the fiercest fighting involving US Marines during the war.

Cross the historic Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River, near the former dividing line along the 17th parallel between North and South Vietnam. Visit Doc Mieu, once part of the defensive system along the DMZ, before continuing to Vinh Moc Tunnels. Explore the underground network where Vietnamese villagers sheltered from intense bombing and maintained a community beneath the ground.

After lunch, head west along historic Route 9 toward the Laotian border. Pass former military landmarks including the Rockpile, Camp Carroll, and Dak Rong Bridge, stopping where access and time allow. Continue to Khe Sanh Combat Base, the site of the prolonged siege in 1968. Explore the former airstrip and surviving exhibits, and take in the surrounding valleys, where coffee plantations now occupy much of the landscape. The visit offers time to reflect on how this former battlefield has changed over the decades.

Return to Hue in the late afternoon or evening, depending on road conditions and time spent at each site.

Overnight in Hue.

In the morning, visit the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City in Hue. Explore the historic palaces and courtyards of Vietnam’s last imperial dynasty, while learning about the intense fighting that took place here during the 1968 Tet Offensive. Although much of the citadel was damaged during the war, ongoing restoration efforts have brought many parts of this important heritage site back to life.

Late in the morning, transfer to Phu Bai International Airport (HUI) for your domestic flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a leisurely walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, set on a small island in the lake. Later, take a relaxing cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, passing bustling streets, historic shop houses and elegant French colonial buildings while experiencing the distinctive character of the capital.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Begin the day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (viewed from outside when closed), the Presidential Palace area and Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house. Continue to Hoa Lo Prison, famously known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton,” to learn about the prison’s history and the experiences of American servicemen held there during the Vietnam War.

Afterwards, visit the Vietnam National Museum of History, focusing on exhibits that help explain Vietnam’s modern history and its struggles for independence. The museum provides valuable context for understanding the country’s wartime past and the events that shaped modern Vietnam. Continue to the Vietnam Military History Museum at its new location on Thang Long Avenue, where a large collection of military artifacts, aircraft, tanks and other exhibits illustrates Vietnam’s military history and wartime experiences.

Enjoy lunch at a carefully selected restaurant before departing Hanoi at around 16:00 for Ha Long via the expressway. On arrival, check in at the hotel and enjoy dinner before relaxing for the evening.

Overnight in Ha Long.

At 8:00 AM, transfer to the harbor and board a premium day cruise for a six-hour exploration of Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s most remarkable natural landscapes. Sail through emerald waters surrounded by thousands of towering limestone karsts and picturesque islets.

During the cruise, visit a spectacular limestone cave, such as Thien Cung Cave, and admire the bay’s hidden lagoons and dramatic rock formations, depending on the selected route. Enjoy a freshly prepared seafood lunch on board while taking in the scenery.

After the cruise returns to the harbor in the afternoon, meet your private driver for the transfer back to Hanoi via the expressway. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing. In the evening, you may explore the Old Quarter or attend a traditional water puppet show, subject to your interests and schedule.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend your remaining time in Hanoi relaxing or picking up a few final souvenirs. Depending on your flight schedule, your private driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) for your departure flight home.

As your 15-day journey comes to an end, WaytoVietnam Travel would like to express our sincere gratitude for allowing us to accompany you on this meaningful tour of remembrance, reflection and discovery. We hope the experiences you have shared, from revisiting places connected to the war to discovering Vietnam’s beautiful landscapes, rich culture and warm hospitality, will leave you with lasting memories.

Thank you for traveling with WaytoVietnam Travel. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back to Vietnam for more memorable tours exploring the country’s natural landscapes, historic landmarks and cultural heritage.