About This Trip
This 11-day Vietnam tour is specially designed for those who wish to delve into the profound legacy of the Vietnam War. Trace the footsteps of history at the Ba Den battlefield sites in Ho Chi Minh City, pay homage to the poignant Son My Memorial, traverse the old Demilitarized Zone in Hue, and gain unique insights while chatting with a former Vietnamese pilot in Hanoi. We suggest dispelling gloomy moods from war-related events on a leisurely walk around the charming Hoi An ancient town or on an optional overnight cruise over the picturesque Halong Bay.
Itinerary Summary
| DAY | PLACE | HIGHLIGHTS |
| 1 - 3 | Ho Chi Minh City | Cu Chi Tunnels, Ba Den Battlefield Site, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace |
| 4 - 5 | Hoi An | Hoi An Ancient Town, Son My Memorial, Chien Dan Cham |
| 6 - 8 | Hue | Imperial Citadel, Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, Dong Ba Market |
| 9 - 11 | Hanoi | Meet a Former Vietnamese Pilot, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoa Lo Prison, Sites Related to the Christmas Bombings |
Suggested Itinerary
Your journey into Vietnam’s wartime history begins in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon — the city where the Vietnam War came to an end on April 30, 1975. Today, the city is vibrant and fast-moving, yet reminders of that turbulent era remain woven into its streets and landmarks.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, meet your guide and transfer to your downtown hotel. Settle in and prepare for the days ahead as you follow the footsteps of a defining chapter in Vietnam’s history.
- Ho Chi Minh City
Today’s Highlights
- Discover Saigon’s colonial landmarks
- Reflect on the Vietnam War at the War Remnants Museum
- Visit Reunification Palace
Your Day in Detail
Begin with a glimpse of colonial-era Saigon, visiting the Opera House, Continental Hotel, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Central Post Office. Then step into the War Remnants Museum, where powerful photographs, personal belongings, and military equipment offer a deeply personal look at the Vietnam War and its impact on those who lived through it.
End at Reunification Palace, formerly Independence Palace, where the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975 marked the dramatic end of the war. For veterans, military families, or anyone with a personal connection to this chapter of history, these places can offer a moment to pause, remember, and reflect.
- B L
- Ho Chi Minh City
Today’s Highlights
- Explore the original Cu Chi Tunnels
- Visit the historic Ba Den Battlefield
Your Day in Detail
Drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network once used by the Viet Cong for shelter, communication, and supplies. Walk and crawl through sections of the original tunnels to gain a vivid sense of the difficult conditions faced by those who lived and fought underground.
Continue northwest to Ba Den Battlefield, once an active battleground along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Here, you can reflect on the intensity of the fighting that took place in these mountains, with the option to ride a cable car to the summit of Black Virgin Mountain for sweeping views over the former battlefield.
- B L
- Ho Chi Minh City
Bid farewell to Saigon and fly to Da Nang, followed by a short transfer to Hoi An. After several days tracing the memories and battlefields of the Vietnam War, Hoi An offers a welcome change of pace.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure in UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town. You can wander through its atmospheric lanes and historic buildings, from the Japanese Bridge to traditional merchant houses and Chinese temples.
- B
- Hoi An
Today’s Highlights
- Visit Son My Memorial & reflect on the My Lai Massacre
- Discover the thousand-year-old Chien Dan Cham Towers
Your Day in Detail
Drive to Son My Memorial, site of the tragic My Lai Massacre of March 16, 1968, one of the darkest chapters of the Vietnam War. Through the memorial’s thoughtful interpretation, learn about the civilians who lost their lives and reflect on the human cost of conflict and its lasting impact.
On the way, stop at Chien Dan Cham Towers, a group of thousand-year-old Champa towers that offer a glimpse into a much earlier chapter of Vietnam’s history.
- B L
- Hoi An
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Hoi An, taking time to unwind by the countryside or nearby beach after the emotionally intense days of wartime history.
In the afternoon, take a scenic three-hour drive to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945).
- B L
- Hue
Today’s Highlights
- Visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
- Explore Hue Imperial Citadel
- Experience local life at Dong Ba Market
Your Day in Detail
Discover the legacy of the Nguyen Dynasty at the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, the resting place of its longest-reigning ruler. Continue to Hue Imperial Citadel, the former political and cultural heart of Vietnam. Inspired by Beijing’s Forbidden City, the vast complex still bears traces of the Battle of Hue in 1968, where damaged walls and restored buildings quietly reflect both imperial grandeur and the scars of war.
Later, stroll through bustling Dong Ba Market for a glimpse of local life before enjoying a leisurely afternoon. If you prefer, join your guide for a bicycle ride through the surrounding countryside.
- B L
- Hue
Today’s Highlights
- Explore the former DMZ and Rockpile
- Walk across the historic Hien Luong Bridge
- Follow the Ho Chi Minh Trail
- Visit Quang Tri Citadel & Camp Carroll
Your Day in Detail
Drive northwest from Hue (about two hours) into the former Demilitarized Zone, once dividing North and South Vietnam and shaping key phases of the conflict. Here, you will see the Rockpile - a former US Marine outpost, and the Hien Luong Bridge, where you can walk the symbolic dividing line. You will also visit the Ho Chi Minh Trail used to transport supplies by North Vietnam, the bullet-riddled citadel at Quang Tri, and Camp Carroll - the artillery base of the U.S. Marine Corps and the ground forces of South Vietnam.
- B L
- Hue
Today’s Highlights
- Meet a former Vietnamese pilot & hear his wartime memories
- Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter by cyclo
Your Day in Detail
Take a private transfer to the airport and fly to Hanoi this morning.
Upon arrival, meet your local guide and visit a former Vietnamese pilot, who will share personal memories and lesser-known stories from his wartime experience.
Later, hop on a cyclo and explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, weaving through its narrow streets and lively neighborhoods while taking in the city’s everyday rhythm.
- B L
- Hanoi
Today’s Highlights
- Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum & stilt house
- Explore the underground wartime command headquarters
- Visit Hoa Lo Prison, the “Hanoi Hilton”
- Discover sites linked to the 1972 Christmas Bombings
Your Day in Detail
After breakfast, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the simple stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived intermittently from 1958 to 1969, followed by the nearby One Pillar Pagoda.
Continue to the underground General Command Headquarters beneath the ancient Thang Long Citadel, once a key command center during the war. Then visit Hoa Lo Prison, known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” where American prisoners of war were held.
The day concludes with several sites connected to the 1972 Christmas Bombings, including Kham Thien Street, B-52 Memorial Lake, and the Downed Aircraft Memorial, offering a closer look at the events and places that shaped Hanoi during the final years of the war.
Note: For travelers with a bit of flexibility in their schedule, we highly recommend adding a two-day voyage on the mesmerizing waters of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- B L
- Hanoi
Meet your guide and driver at the appointed time for the private transfer to the airport. Say goodbye to Vietnam and board your homebound flight.
- B
Optional Activities
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Halong Bay CruiseJourney from Hanoi's historic heartbeat to Halong Bay's tranquil sanctuary. A UNESCO masterpiece, Halong entices with sun-kissed decks, kayak adventures amid pristine vistas, and refreshing swims in mineral-laden waters. Rise to Tai Chi on a sunlit deck, delve into hidden cave wonders, and relish a delectable brunch. Let the ethereal beauty of Halong Bay weave its magic, leaving a timeless imprint on your soul. -
Cooking Class with Local Market Visiting (Hoi An)Start your morning exploring Hoi An's bustling market. With the help of your master chef, purchase fresh ingredients for an authentic cooking class. Then, head to a village for a two-hour culinary adventure. Learn to cook popular Vietnamese specialties like spring rolls and noodles. Savor the results of your labor, proud of your mastery of time-honored recipes passed down for generations.
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Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge TourEscape the bustle of Da Nang for the cool climes and emerald vistas of Ba Na Hills. Your journey begins with an ascent by cable car, soaring over peaks into the heavens. At the summit, a spectacle of wonder awaits. The Golden Bridge stuns in the clouds, a vision in gold suspended between colossal stone hands. Then enjoy a delicious lunch while soaking in the jaw-dropping views.
Accommodation Options
The hotels listed below have been carefully selected based on customer feedback. You can either choose the ones you'd like to stay in or allow our travel experts to recommend options tailored to your specific requirements.
What's Included in Your Private Tour
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A dedicated travel expert will work with you to design and arrange your itinerary based on your interests, travel style, schedule, and budget. Your trip can be adjusted as your plans take shape.
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Accommodation is selected based on location, quality, your preferences, and budget. Depending on the destination and itinerary, options may include international hotel chains, boutique hotels, and locally distinctive properties.
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Local guides are arranged in each destination, with strong language skills and in-depth local knowledge. Your guide will help you make the most of each destination while sharing local history, culture, and everyday life.
Guide arrangements may vary depending on your destination and itinerary. Please refer to your Tour Program for the specific guide arrangements for your trip.
If you have any special requirements for your guide, such as in-depth historical and cultural interpretation or expertise in a particular industry or subject, please let us know in advance so we can take your preferences into consideration when arranging your trip. -
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated driver, as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic trains as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- International flights for selected multi-country tours, as specified in the itinerary.
Transportation arrangements can be adjusted to suit your itinerary and travel needs.
*As each trip is tailor-made, transportation arrangements may vary by itinerary and destination. The final arrangements will be detailed in your Tour Program.*International flights to and from your home country are normally not included in the initial Tour Program. If you would like, your travel expert can also help arrange these flights upon request.
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- Breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D) as specified in the itinerary
- Additional meals can be arranged upon request
- Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request
Gallery
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Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City
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War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City
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Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City
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Hoi An Old Town
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Forbidden City, Hue
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Old Quarter, Hanoi
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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi
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