Vietnam War Veterans: US Marines & I Corps Battlefield Tour

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), you will be met by our airport representative, who will assist you with VIP Airport Fast-Track service to help speed up immigration procedures, along with assistance with customs and luggage collection.
Your private guide and driver, arranged by WaytoVietnam Travel, will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in central Hanoi.
Hanoi has changed enormously over the decades. Today, it is a lively capital with tree-lined boulevards, historic buildings, busy streets and a rich café culture. As Vietnam’s political and cultural center, the city offers a very different picture from the one many veterans may remember.
After check-in, the rest of the day is free to relax after your long flight. If you feel up to going out, you might enjoy a traditional Vietnamese coffee near Hoan Kiem Lake or take a gentle walk around the lake and its surrounding streets. Otherwise, you can simply rest at the hotel before the tour begins tomorrow.

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide and driver to explore Hanoi’s wartime history.
Begin at Hoa Lo Prison, known to many American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton.” The former prison offers insight into its history during French colonial rule and the later detention of American pilots during the war.

Continue to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long to visit the D67 Command Bunker, which served as an important command center for the People’s Army of Vietnam leadership during the later years of the war. The bunker and its preserved facilities offer a closer look at military planning and decision-making during this period.
Next, head to Huu Tiep Lake in Ngoc Ha Village, where part of a US B-52 bomber shot down during the December 1972 air campaign remains in the water, surrounded by residential homes.

Enjoy lunch at a carefully selected restaurant in Hanoi before driving along Thang Long Boulevard to the Vietnam Military History Museum. Explore its extensive collection of military aircraft, tanks, artillery and other historical artifacts documenting Vietnam’s military history.
In the late afternoon, return to central Hanoi for a traditional cyclo ride through the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Take in the busy streets, historic shopfronts and everyday life around the capital’s most famous lake.

Afterwards, return to your hotel to relax. The evening is free for dinner at a restaurant of your choice, a walk around the neighborhood or a quiet evening at the hotel.

Enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel in Hanoi. With no sightseeing scheduled, you can rest, enjoy breakfast, pack comfortably or take a short walk around the neighborhood before continuing your tour.
In the early afternoon, your driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) for your domestic flight to Hue.

Located along the Perfume River in Central Vietnam, Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. The city is known for its Imperial Citadel, royal tombs and historic temples. During the 1968 Tet Offensive, Hue became the scene of a major and prolonged urban battle. Today, it is a quieter city where historic landmarks and everyday life sit alongside the river.

Upon arrival at Phu Bai International Airport (HUI), meet your local guide and driver from WaytoVietnam Travel for the transfer to your hotel.
The evening is free to relax after the journey. You may take a gentle walk along the Perfume River, enjoy a coffee nearby or simply rest at the hotel before tomorrow’s historical visits.

After breakfast, meet your private guide and driver to explore Hue, the former imperial capital and the site of one of the major battles of the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Begin at the Imperial Citadel, where intense fighting took place during the Battle of Hue. Explore the historic grounds and learn about the battle, the damage sustained by the city, and its impact on local residents and the forces involved.
Continue to Phu Cam Church and the surrounding area, where the historical setting provides further context for the fighting in southern Hue. Your guide will explain the events associated with the battle and, where reliable information is available, relate them to the military units and locations relevant to your interests.
Enjoy lunch at a carefully selected restaurant in Hue.
In the afternoon, take a private boat trip along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s best-known landmarks. The boat ride offers a different view of the city and its historic riverfront after the morning’s battlefield visits.
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. The remainder of the day is free to relax, walk along the river or enjoy dinner at a restaurant of your choice.

After breakfast, meet your private guide and driver for the drive north from Hue along Highway 1 to Quang Tri Province, a region marked by some of the heaviest fighting during the Vietnam War.
Begin at Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, the site of the 81-day battle in the summer of 1972. Walk through the historic grounds and memorial area as your guide explains the battle’s significance and its impact on the region.
Continue to Hien Luong Bridge and the Ben Hai River, which marked the temporary dividing line between North and South Vietnam under the 1954 Geneva Agreements. Visit the preserved bridge complex and its exhibition area to learn about the division of the country and the events that shaped life along the former DMZ.
Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Dong Ha before continuing toward the coast to visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels. Built by local villagers for shelter during heavy bombardment, this underground network includes living areas and communal spaces used by residents during the war. Walk through accessible sections of the tunnels to learn how local communities adapted to life underground.
In the late afternoon, transfer to your hotel in Dong Ha and check in. The evening is free to rest after the day’s visits or explore the town nearby.

After breakfast, meet your private guide and driver for the drive west along Route 9 toward Khe Sanh, following a road that played an important role in military operations between the coastal region and the Laotian border.

Along the way, stop at selected historical locations, including Dakrong Bridge, near the western approaches to the former DMZ, and the Rockpile area, a prominent rocky outcrop associated with US military observation during the war. Stops will depend on road conditions and the time available.

Continue to Khe Sanh Combat Base, the site of the 1968 siege involving US Marines and North Vietnamese forces. Explore the accessible airfield and display areas, where military equipment, aircraft, and historical photographs help explain the battle and the role of the base. Your guide will also discuss the surrounding hill positions, including Hills 881, 861, and 875, and their significance during the campaign.

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Khe Sanh town before continuing west along Route 9 to Lang Vei, the site of a US Special Forces camp overrun by North Vietnamese forces supported by tanks on February 7, 1968. Learn about the battle and its connection to the wider fighting around Khe Sanh during the Tet Offensive. The visit will depend on available time and access to the site.

In the afternoon, begin the return drive east to Dong Ha. Depending on the schedule, there may be time for a brief stop at another accessible historical site along Route 9.

Arrive at your hotel in Dong Ha in the late afternoon or early evening. The remainder of the day is free to relax or enjoy dinner in town.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel in Dong Ha. The morning is free to rest or have a coffee before checking out and meeting your driver for the visit to Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery.
Located west of Dong Ha, the cemetery commemorates thousands of Vietnamese soldiers who lost their lives along the Ho Chi Minh Trail during the war. Spend time walking through the memorial grounds and paying your respects at this important national site. The visit also offers an opportunity to learn more about the Ho Chi Minh Trail and its role in supplying forces during the conflict.
Enjoy lunch at a restaurant near the cemetery before continuing south to Da Nang by private vehicle. The drive takes several hours, so rest stops can be arranged along the way as needed.
Arrive in Da Nang in the late afternoon or early evening and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax after the drive, enjoy dinner nearby or simply unwind at the hotel.

After breakfast, meet your private guide and driver for a tour of Da Nang’s main sites associated with the US Marine Corps and the American military presence during the war.
Begin at the Red Beach area near Nam O, where the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade landed on March 8, 1965. Your guide will explain the landing and how Da Nang developed into a major US military base, with extensive air and logistical facilities.
Continue to Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), a group of limestone and marble hills south of the city. During the war, caves in the mountains were used by Vietnamese forces for shelter and medical treatment. Visit selected caves and pagodas, depending on access and your mobility. From suitable viewpoints, you may also see My Khe Beach, known to many American servicemen as China Beach.

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Da Nang featuring Central Vietnamese dishes.
In the afternoon, visit the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, home to a collection of sculptures from the ancient Champa civilization.
Return to your hotel near My Khe Beach in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the beach, take a swim or relax by the sea. Several beach bars along the waterfront offer cold beer, drinks and sea views, making them a pleasant place to unwind before dinner. You can choose a spot that suits your preference and budget.

Enjoy a free morning at your hotel near My Khe Beach. You can have breakfast, swim in the sea, relax by the pool or take a walk along the beach before heading to Hoi An in the early afternoon.
At 1:00 PM, meet your private guide and driver for the drive to Tra Que Vegetable Village, just outside Hoi An. Walk through the vegetable and herb gardens and learn about traditional farming methods from your guide. The visit offers a look at rural life around Hoi An, away from the busy streets of the Ancient Town.
Continue to Hoi An Ancient Town and explore its historic streets on foot. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge area, traditional merchant houses and Chinese Assembly Halls, while learning about the town’s past as an important trading port. You will also have time to browse the shops and take photos along the riverside.

Enjoy dinner at a carefully selected restaurant in the Ancient Town, with regional dishes such as Cao Lau noodles and white rose dumplings.
As night falls, lanterns illuminate the old streets and cast reflections on the Thu Bon River. Spend some time exploring the night market or enjoying a drink by the river before meeting your driver at around 9:00 PM for the return drive to your hotel near My Khe Beach.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Tailor Shops in Hoi An

Restaurants in Hoi An

After breakfast and check-out, meet your private guide and driver for the drive south from Da Nang to Chu Lai, where US Marines established a major base in 1965.
Visit accessible locations associated with the former Chu Lai Air Base and surrounding Marine Corps operations. Your guide will explain how the airfield was built and used to support Marine aircraft and ground operations in the region.
The area is also closely linked to Operation Starlite, launched in August 1965 near Van Tuong, south of Chu Lai. Depending on your military background and the sites that can be visited, the day can include discussion of this operation and other Marine activities in the surrounding area.

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the Chu Lai area. In the afternoon, continue to selected historical locations based on accessibility and your interests. If you served in this area, let us know your unit and approximate dates of service in advance so we can identify places that may be relevant to your experience.
Later, continue to Tam Ky and check in to your hotel. The evening is free to relax and have dinner.

After breakfast and check-out, meet your private guide and driver for the drive to Quang Ngai to visit the Son My (My Lai) Memorial in Tinh Khe.
The memorial documents the My Lai massacre of March 16, 1968, when US soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians. Visit the museum exhibition and preserved village area to learn about the events, hear the stories of those affected and understand the lasting impact on local families and communities.

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Quang Ngai before transferring to Chu Lai Airport (VCL) for your domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City. The visit and transfer will be arranged around the confirmed flight schedule. If a suitable flight from Chu Lai is unavailable, an alternative departure from Da Nang may be considered, subject to flight availability and the additional transfer time.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), a major military airbase during the war, meet your driver for the transfer to your hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City.
The rest of the day is free to relax after the journey or head out for dinner nearby.

8:00 AM, meet your private guide and driver for the drive northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Depending on your interests and the day’s arrangements, visit Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc.
Used by Viet Cong forces during the war, the tunnel network served as shelter, communication routes, supply passages and military facilities. Explore the visitor area and accessible sections of the tunnels while your guide explains how the system operated, the conditions underground and the challenges faced by forces trying to locate and destroy it. Some passages are narrow and low, so entering them is optional.

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant near Cu Chi or on the way back to the city.
In the afternoon, return to central Ho Chi Minh City to visit the War Remnants Museum, where photographs, military equipment and historical exhibits document the war and its impact. Continue to the Independence Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace and a key landmark in the events of April 30, 1975, when tanks entered its grounds as Saigon fell.
If time allows, make a brief stop in Cho Lon, the city’s historic Chinatown, to see the busy streets and commercial area before heading back toward central Saigon.

In the evening, transfer to Bach Dang Wharf to board a dinner cruise on the Saigon River. Enjoy dinner on board as the boat passes the illuminated city skyline and waterfront landmarks. After the cruise, return to your hotel.

Ho Chi Minh City

Spa & Massages in Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi Tunnels

Enjoy a free day in Ho Chi Minh City after your journey through Vietnam’s wartime history. You may prefer to rest at your hotel, take a walk along Nguyen Hue Street and the city center, or visit Ben Thanh Market to browse the stalls and sample Vietnamese street food nearby.
For those wishing to see more of southern Vietnam, a private full-day excursion to the Mekong Delta can be arranged upon request (L). Travel to Ben Tre or My Tho for a boat trip along the waterways, passing coconut palms and riverside communities. Depending on the itinerary, visit a local coconut workshop, walk through a fruit orchard and learn about daily life in the delta. Lunch featuring regional dishes is included before returning to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
The evening is free for a farewell dinner at a restaurant of your choice or a final stroll around central Saigon.

Enjoy your final free time in Ho Chi Minh City before your departure.
At the scheduled time, your driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) for your flight home.
Returning to Vietnam and revisiting places connected to your military service can bring back many memories. We hope this trip has given you time to reflect on your experiences, reconnect with places from the past and see the country as it is today. It has been a privilege for WaytoVietnam Travel to help you make this return visit.

We wish you a safe journey home and good health in the years ahead. If you or your family decide to return to Vietnam for a classic tour, discovering its historic towns, beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage, we would be delighted to welcome you again.