TRIP PROFILE.

Our trip takes us from Hanoi and the northern mountains to Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the south. From the famous battlefield of Dien Bien Phu where the French were so decisively defeated by the Viet Ming, and by doing so ending the domination of French rule in Indochina. To the main battlefield sites of the war with America including the DMZ, the scene of some of the fiercest fighting of the Vietnam War. Khe Sanh the site of one of the most notorious battles and Hamburger Hill. Continuing onto the Mekong Delta where there was heavy fighting among the maze of canals and swamps and to the Iron Triangle in Song Be province which became a 'free fire zone'. Vietnam is one of the few countries that has suffered the awesome power of modern warfare and yet emerge victorious

We look at how the Vietnamese fought a war with little and inferior equipment relying more on tactics and resilience to over come adversity.

This is a very informative tour visiting the sites of battles, military bases and strategic positions as well as the main tourist sights of Vietnam.

Guest lecturers, veterans from the North Vietnamese Army, will provide first hand knowledge on what life was like during this traumatic time in history.

Although this tour concentrates on the historical sites of this country many other tourist sites are also included to provide a memorable insight into this fascinating part of the world. We use a combination of different types of transport, including mini bus, planes and boats.

DAY 1: Mid-day departure with Thai International Airways from London, Heathrow.
DAY 2: Arrive Hanoi early afternoon, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure to stroll around the old streets of Hanoi. Early evening we have guests lecturers who will outline the events of Vietnam recent past history.
DAY 3: Full day touring Hanoi visiting the Hoa Lu Museum ( Hanoi Hilton ) War Museum, Pagodas, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature and the old parts of the city. Evening to watch the Water Puppet Show.
DAY 4: Transfer from the hotel to the airport and fly to Dien Bien Phu. Afternoon tour of the old airstrip, museum and battle briefing of this famous battlefield.
DAY 5: A few hours are available to visit the jungle command post of General Giap and the Viet Minh. We return for the flight at mid-day to Hanoi. Transfer to hotel.
DAY 6: Morning flight to Hue the Imperial City . After checking into our hotel we visit parts of the old citadel and the old American base. Evening dinner and lecture.
DAY 7: We spend the next two days visiting the incongruously named Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), scene of some of the fiercest fighting of the Vietnam War.
DAY 8: Continue tour and in the afternoon on day eight we return to Hue and take an evening cruise on the Perfume River.
DAY 9: The morning is spent touring Hue City. After lunch we will drive to Danang.
DAY 10: Today we will drive to Hoi An. Visiting China Beach, the 'Cham Museum' and the Marble Mountain. In the afternoon we arrive in Hoi An.

DAY 11: Morning drive to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon ). Visit the War museum, former U.S Embassy and China town. Dinner with guest speaker. DAY 12: Depart for a tour of the Mekong Delta. This area saw allot of heavy fighting among the maze of canals and swamps that make up the delta. DAY 13: Tour to the area known as the Iron Triangle in Song Be province. This area was an important base for the VC so it became a 'free fire zone' and received intensive bombing from B-52s.

DAY 14: A day tour to the Cu Chi tunnels. Cu Chi played a very important role in the two resistance wars of the Vietnamese.
DAY 15: We spend our final day touring the area where troops from the Australian and New Zealand forces were in action. The Australians in particular suffered some heavy casualties during their clashes with the VC.
DAY 16: The morning is available for alittle last minute shopping before departure. Change flights in Bangkok.
DAY 17: Arrive early morning at London, Heathrow airport.

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INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

· Economy class return flights with Thai International airlines
· UK Air Passenger Duty Tax
· Accommodation (tax and service charges are also included)
· Services of a Western tour leader throughout
· Local guide throughout
· Private air-conditioned vehicles in each location
· Private (group) transfers to and from airports and train stations
· Entrance fees to museums, etc., permits, etc.
· Breakfasts & Dinners
· The services of our local staff in Vietnam

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

· Airport taxes payable locally on each departure
· Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, tips, etc.
· Lunches.
· Visas
· Airport transfers on arrival and departure if you are not arriving on our standard flights (supplement payable).

FOOD. All breakfasts (e.g. bread, eggs or fruit and tea or coffee) are included as are all Dinners which are taken as a group and arranged in good local restaurants were a variety of Vietnamese dishes can be tried. Lunches are on a daily kitty of £4.

EXTRA EXPENSES. Lunch (see above): Visa £40. Departure tax: currently US$7. There are also a number of entry fees not included in the price: as it is hard to say what people would like to visit . There will also be a kitty to cover soft drinks, mineral water and snacks for consumption whilst travelling , though this is unlikely to cost more than about £20 for the trip.

GROUP, STAFF & SUPPORT. The group size will be between 6 and 18. All groups will be accompanied by an experienced English guide, plus a local guide and where applicable a local driver. All your luggage and personal belongings will be carried in the vehicle.