Vietnam Veteran Tour

Vietnam Veteran Tour

4.9/5 339 Latest reviews
Tour Code: ODY-VN-019
Destination: Vietnam
  • Duration 11 Days
  • Tour Type Private & Bespoke
  • Tour Style Historical

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


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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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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.

  • Top Choice
    Lotte Hotel Saigon
    Lotte Hotel Saigon
    Address: 2A - 4A Ton Duc Thang St, District 1, HCMC, Vietnam
  • Harmony Hotel & Spa
    Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa
    Address: 32A-34 Bui Thi Xuan St- Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, HCMC, Vietnam
  • Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel
    Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel
    Address: 17 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1, TP.HCMC, Vietnam
  • Sofitel Saigon Plaza
    Sofitel Saigon Plaza
    Address: 17 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Top Choice
    Lasenta Boutique Hotel Hoi An
    Lasenta Boutique Hotel Hoi An
    Address: 57 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
  • Top Choice
    Allegro Hoi An – Little Luxury Hotel & Spa
    Allegro Hoi An – Little Luxury Hotel & Spa
    Address: 86 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
  • Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa
    Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa
    Address: Lac Long Quan Street, Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
  • Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa
    Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa
    Address: 91 Hung Vuong Street, Hoi An, Vietnam
  • Top Choice
    Indochine Palace
    Indochine Palace
    Address: 105A Hung Vuong St., Hue City, Vietnam
  • Top Choice
    Eldora Hotel Hue
    Eldora Hotel Hue
    Address: 60 Ben Nghe Street, Hue City, Vietnam
  • Hotel Saigon Morin
    Hotel Saigon Morin
    Address: 30 Le Loi St., Hue City, Vietnam
  • Silk Path Grand Hue Hotel
    Silk Path Grand Hue Hotel
    Address: 02 Le Loi Street, Hue City, Vietnam
  • Top Choice
    InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
    InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
    Address: 5 Tu Hoa street Tay Ho, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • La Siesta Premium Hang Be
    La Siesta Premium Hang Be
    Address: No 27 Hang Be St, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • The Lapis Hotel
    The Lapis Hotel
    Address: 21 Tran Hung Dao Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • The Oriental Jade Hotel
    The Oriental Jade Hotel
    Address: 92 & 94 Hang Trong street, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam

What's Included in Your Private Tour


  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

    • 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

Your Travel Partner Every Step of the Way


  • Before You Travel
    • Personalized itinerary planning
    • Professional advice from local experts
    • Smooth booking support from start to finish
    Every great journey starts with thoughtful planning. From the moment you contact us, we take the time to understand your travel style, interests, and expectations. Whether you’re looking for iconic highlights, local experiences, or a more relaxed pace, we help design a trip that truly fits you.
  • While You Travel
    • Expert local guides with deep knowledge
    • 24/7 support for any on-the-go needs
    • Flexible arrangements to suit your pace
    Once your trip begins, we're right there with you behind the scenes. Our local guides, trusted partners, and support team work together to make your journey smooth, comfortable, and worry-free. From airport pickups to flexible day-to-day arrangements, we help you travel with confidence and ease.
  • After You Return Home
    • We welcome and value your feedback
    • A travel team you can return to anytime
    • Special benefits for your next journey
    For us, the journey doesn’t simply end when the trip is over. We love staying connected with our travelers, hearing your feedback, and learning more about your experience. Your insights help us continue improving our services while also inspiring future travelers. Many of our guests travel with us again, or recommend us to family and friends, and that’s something we truly value.

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