Vietnam Battlefield
Tour.
Escorted Group Tour Dossier. VBT18
Introduction
A tour specially
designed for those wishing to see Vietnam from a historical view.
Focusing on
Vietnams struggle from French colonial rule that ended in the famous
defeat at Dien Bien Phu. To the more recent past with the long and
destructive war with America.
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.
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.
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.
From the French occupation and their eventual defeat to the build
up and direct intervention of the Americans until their eventual
withdrawal. First hand accounts will be given by people who have
lived through this amazing and devastating part of history. A traditional
Vietnamese dinner will be given as our host welcome you all to their
beautiful country.
Day 3
Full day touring
Hanoi visiting the Hoa Lu Museum ( Hanoi Hilton )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
where the French were so decisively defeated by the Viet Ming, and
by doing so ended the domination of French rule in Indochina. 16,000
French troops include many Legionnaires were station in this strategically
important valley, which the French assumed would never be taken.
How wrong could they have been. In 1953 hopes of getting out of
the bog of the Indochina war, the French dropped paratroopers into
Dien Bien Phu in an attempt to win a decisive battle to regain the
initiative. Under the command of General Giap the Viet Minh transported
heavy artillery, guns and equipment high into the mountains until
they had the whole area surrounded. After a battle lasting 55 days
the French having suffered heavy casualties surrendered to the Viet
Minh.
10,000 French troops were taken prisoners and by doing so ended
nearly a century of French rule.
Day 5
This area of
North Vietnam is not only of interest because of its historical
connections but also because of its stunning scenery and colourful
ethnic tribes. 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 . Built on the same principles as the Forbidden
Palace in Peking (Beijing). It is enclosed by 7-10m thick outer
walls along with moats, canals and towers. Emperor Gia Long commenced
construction in 1804 after it was decreed a suitable location and
orientation for the palace. The site covers 6 square kms; sufficient
area to house the emperor and all his family and courtiers.
After checking
into our hotel we visit parts of the old citadel and the old American
base. Evening dinner and lecture.
Day 7 - Day 8
We spend the
next two days visiting the incongruously named Demilitarised Zone
(DMZ), scene of some of the fiercest fighting of the Vietnam War,
Khe Sanh the site of one of the most famous battles of the War and
Hamberger Hill. Ho Chi Minh Trail, The tunnels of Vinh Moc served
a similar function to the better known Cu Chi tunnels. The Rock
Pile a 230m high limestone outcrop just South of the DMZ. The Hien
Luong Bridge on the 17th parallel which marked the boundary between
N and S.
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, which was heavily attacked during the
Tet offensive in 1968 resulting in heavy losses. After lunch we
will drive to Danang crossing the impressive 'Hai Van' pass, stopping
to admire the view and bunkers at the top of the pass.
Day 10
Today we will
drive to Hoi An. The drive is not particularly long, but it will
take up most of the day, as there are a number of interesting places
to stop. We first drive to the near by China Beach were the first
American Marines landed in 1965. Then a visit to the 'Cham Museum'.
We continue onto the Marble Mountain an old VC hospital where there
is evidence of gunbattles.
In the afternoon we arrive in Hoi An Once one of the busiest bustling
commercial ports in Southeast Asia .
Day 11
Morning drive
to Danang and flight to Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon ). After checking
into the hotel we 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 who used the security of the surrounding
dense forest to launch attacks against supply routes and terrorist
attacks in the Saigon area. This area became a 'free fire zone'
and received intensive bombing from B-52s.
Day 14
A day tour to
the Cu Chi district 30 km north-west of the city centre.
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.
DEPARTURE
DATES AND PRICES
Sunday 4th March-Tuesday 20th 2007
Sunday 4th
November-Tuesday 20th 2007
Price £985.00
ground price, plus £675.00 return international flights
Total price £1,660.00 per person.
Single supplement
£200.00
For currency
conversions, click here: XE.com
Personal Currency Assistant
We will arrange
twin share accommodation for single travellers, the supplement is
for those requesting for their own rooms
MEKONG TRAVEL
- SIGHTSEEING TOUR POLICY
Major sightseeing
highlights of Indochina include a huge variety of religious and
historic monuments; a rich cultural and artistic heritage; museums
and beautiful scenery. Such key elements are naturally include in
sightseeing tour itineraries, but Mekong Travel also seeks out the
less obvious attractions - interesting local markets, festivals,
wherever these coincide with travel plans, traditional handicrafts
and industries, plus the opportunity to meet local people in their
own environments. Also include are opportunities to try regional
cuisine and to see typical or traditional forms of entertainment.
Mekong Travel
includes such extra dimensions to make any visit to Thailand, Vietnam,
Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos a richer, more rewarding and more memorable
experience.
GENERAL ADVICE ON TRAVELING IN INDOCHINA
Never drink
tap water - purified, bottled water is available everywhere.
Use an insect
repellent against mosquitoes, especially in upcountry and forested
areas. A hat and high factor block cream is advisable as protection
against the hot tropical sun when sightseeing.
Casual and light
clothing is required, preferable natural fibre, year-round, but
a sweater or jacket may be useful in hill areas, particularly during
winter months, when evenings can be quite cool. An umbrella or raincoat
is essential if visiting during the monsoon months (May-September).
Travellers should
take adequate supplies of any prescription medicines they may need,
as supplies may not be available locally. A spare pair of eyeglasses,
if worn, is also advisable. Useful too, is a flashlight, for exploring
caves or details of temple interiors, which are often not properly
illuminated
Take plenty
of film, as locally available supplies are not always reliable.
Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military
installation is forbidden. Please use discretion when photographing
people, especially with tribal people, who may have superstitions
against this. For close-up shots always ask first.
Visitors are
required to dress decently within the precincts of religious buildings.
Ladies should not wear shorts or bra-less T-shirts in such places.
Shoes and socks/stockings must always be removed at pagodas and
monasteries. Shoulders and knees should be covered. Disregard of
these rules causes serious cultural and religious offence to the
devout Asian people. Visitors are advised to ignore touts who may
approach them to exchange foreign currency, or to sell gems of dubious
quality. Such offers, although apparently attractive, are breaking
strict laws.
Begging is widespread
in some parts of Indochina but not in others and visitors are requested
not to encourage development of this practice by giving money, sweets
etc. to children. If travellers wish to contribute to say, a village
community, gifts should be directed to the local schoolteacher or
headman.
Contributions can also be arranged to recognise local charities
two of which we support.
HOTELS
In spite of
the building boom that is creating new hotels up to international
standards for the first time in key tourist centres, accommodations
in Indochina still varies widely in quality and, during high seasons,
availability can be limited. Mekong Travel clients will generally
receive hotel reservation priority, but Mekong Travel cannot guarantee
specific hotel requests and reserves the right to substitute accommodation
of the best available alternative standard when a first-choice hotel
is not available. Clients are advised that accommodations, especially
outside the main locations, may not always be up to international
standards.
Many people have no idea of the stunning visual beauty and traditional
culture that Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia have to offer. It is a
unique and fascinating region of great physical and rich cultural
diversity whose history spans over 4,000 years.
Picture a land
of idyllic tree-lined beaches, tranquil bays dotted with the sails
of junks and sampans, offshore coral islands, mountains, valleys,
primal forests, plains crossed by countless rivers and emerald rice
fields enriched with the varied scenes of everyday life. The traditional
rural life, embodied in the villagers tilling the land with rudimentary
tools under their conical hats in the patchwork paddy fields, and
children riding their water buffaloes home from the fields at the
end of the day, contrasts dramatically with the sights, sounds and
pace of the cities whose busy streets overflow with humanity borne
along on a rising tide of bicycles and motor scooters.
The regions
long history is an every present companion: sites of ancient battles,
ancient civilisations and kingdoms which flourished in this enigmatic
land long before the French colonialists, Communism and the tragic
wars of the more recent past.
In traditionally
agricultural countries, new to the concept of tourism, you have
to expect the unexpected, if so you won't be disappointed.
This tour traces
the complex history and culture of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and
its people, introducing some of the many different faces and places
of these fascinating countries. Almost all travel restrictions have
been dropped, and you can now visit most parts of these countries.
PRACTICAL
INFORMATION
WEATHER. Except
for Dalat (and Hanoi between November and February) the weather
will be hot and humid throughout, with temperatures during the day
between about 28C and 34C. It is only a little cooler at nights.
There is quite a range of seasons between the north and the South
Vietnam: the south has a distinct hot dry season from February to
June, and there is a pronounced wet season in the middle of the
country in September and October. November to March is a cool season
in the north, and there may be some drizzly rain: a jumper or warm
jacket may be required. Other than that, rain when it does fall
usually comes in short, violent bursts with bright sunshine in between.
Laos tends to be drier than Vietnam and during the summer months
slightly hotter, except in the mountains. Cambodia's weather patterns
are much on a par with southern Vietnam although during the winter
months a pleasant cool wind blows down from the Lao Mountains. It
is unlikely that the weather will ever be perfect for the entire
duration of any trip. In addition flooding does occur from time
to time particularly north of Hue though this is unpredictable,
as indeed is the weather in Indochina in general.
VACCINATIONS.
No vaccinations are compulsory unless arriving from and infected
area, but we recommend vaccination against hepatitis A and typhoid.
Malaria prophylactics is strongly recommended and there has been
some chloroquine resistance reported, so please see your Doctor
for advice.
ACCOMMODATION.
The accommodation on this trip is a mixture of good quality private
hotels (mostly 2 to 3- star). The hotels have air conditioning and
we will normally have twin rooms with private facilities. In general,
the hotels we use are of a good standard, and will be clean and
comfortable with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, minibar and
TV.
FOOD. All
breakfasts (e.g. bread, eggs or fruit and tea or coffee) are included.
Lunches and Dinners will be taken as a group on a daily kitty of
£10.
EXTRA EXPENSES.
Visa £40. Departure tax. 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. Optional tours if required. 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.
GROUP, STAFF
& SUPPORT. The group size will be between 6 and 18. All
groups will be accompanied by an experienced English guide, plus
a Vietnamese guide and where applicable a local driver. All your
luggage and personal belongings will be carried by the support vehicle.
TRIP PROFILE.
Our trip takes us from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh. From the famous battlefield
of Dien Bien Phu to the main battlefield sites of the war with America.
Guest lecturers from the Northern Vietnamese army outline their
experiences and their tactics 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.
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.
· 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.
· Meals other than breakfast.
· Visas
· Airport transfers on arrival and departure if you are not
arriving on our standard flights (supplement payable).
The information
in this dossier has been given in good faith and covers the average
range of conditions to be found on the trip. These are poor countries
where services are not up to International standards consequently
unexpected changes sometime occur.
Please call
us with any questions you may have.
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