A Special "Couples"
Tour/Return to Viet Nam
for Veterans and Their Families
(Tour Description:
Designed not so much as a 'battlefield return-tour," but as a unique
opportunity for the veteran and his family to enjoy all the beauty,
history, and culture of a fascinating country that is now totally at
peace and moving forward on the world stage. The mood of this tour is
relaxed and unhampered, and includes some of the best hotels and beaches
available in Viet Nam.)
22 June Sunday
Day One Depart Los Angeles (LAX) around noon and connect
to Incheon, South Korea. Transfer to flight to Viet Nam.
23 June Monday Day Two Arrive in Ha Noi late in the evening and transfer to our hotel in the city's "Old Quarter." Overnight in Ha Noi
Galaxy, Eden, or equivalent
hotel.
24 June Tuesday Day Three Day touring of the city sights of Ha Noi to include Hoan Kiem Lake, the Presidential Palace, the Hanoi Hilton Prison and Museum, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and other sites central to the Ha Noi government complex. If time allows, the City's fine military museum and Museum of History and Ethnology. The day will conclude with a performance at the National Water Puppet Theatre.
Galaxy, Eden, or equivalent hotel
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
included.
25 June Wednesday Day Four Drive early in the morning to Ha Long Bay, passing through Hai Duong, and vestiges of the DeLattre Line that once surrounded Ha Noi. We'll pass near Hai Phong and sites famous during the time of the war with the French. Arriving in Ha Long Bay (famous for its magnificent limestone Karst island formations,) we'll board our own personal wooden junk for an overnight tour of the Bay.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
included.
26 June Thursday Day Five We continue to sail Ha Long Bay with stops at various caverns and floating fishing villages. There will be ample time to swim, kayak, or simply relax and enjoy the incredible scenery. In the afternoon we return to Ha Noi and relax before boarding the evening train for the South. Our next destination is the City of Hue after overnighting on the express train.
Breakfast, Lunch included,
Dinner on your own.
27 June Friday Day Six We arrive in Hue and check in to our Luxury Hotel along the banks of the Perfume River (Huong Giang). After a brief rest, day-touring of this fabulous (Quiet!) city begins with visits to the Imperial Citadel, Dong Ba Market, Thien Mu Pagoda and ample time to enjoy the sights and sounds of Hue. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore on your own or just relax along the river. In the evening there will be a dinner-boat cruise of the river
with Hue Musicians included to round out the evening.
Huong Giang Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
included.
28 June Saturday Day Seven This morning we continue touring Hue and the Imperial Mausoleums of the Nguyen Kings, to include the Tombs of Ming Mang, Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh. The tour to Ming Mang includes an eight-mile boat journey. This will be a busy, but exciting day to gain an understanding of the historical importance of one of Viet Nam's most important cultural centers - Hue City.
Huong Giang Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch included.
Dinner on your own.
29 June Sunday Day Eight Today we depart Hue and drive south to Hoi An, passing through Phu Loc, crossing over the Hai Van Pass and entering Da Nang. We'll have time to visit Da Nang's great beaches, visit the world-famous Cham Museum, and stop at Marble Mountain to visit the monasteries and shrines atop
these unusual mountains of pure marble. We then proceed to Hoi An.
Lotus Garden or equivalent 4-star hotel
Breakfast, Lunch included,
Dinner on your own.
30 June Monday Day Nine Once an ancient Chinese and Japanese seaport, Hoi An is full of things to do - excellent shopping, beaches, restaurants, there is plenty to keep you occupied. Today, we offer a side trip to My Son up in the Que Son Mountains or an exploratory trip up the Vu Gia River to where it meets the Tu Bon. Or it can be a day to do nothing but enjoy the sights of Hoi An.
Breakfast included, Lunch and Dinner on your own
Lotus Garden or equivalent 4-star hotel
1 July Tuesday Day Ten Today is a transit day to the south. We take a late morning flight to Saigon from Da Nang International Airport, take a brief overview city tour of Saigon Center then transfer to our Hotel for the evening.
We'll have one night in Saigon before departing for the Mekong and Hau River Delta Region.
Bong Sen or Bong Sen Annex Hotel, or equivalent.
Breakfast included. Lunch and Dinner on your own.
2 July Wednesday Day Eleven We depart early in the morning for Can Tho - one of the most important cities in the Delta. We stop at Cai Be and board boats for most of the day's activities. We'll tour sleepy delta fishing and farming villages and get a real taste for typical village life. Then we proceed all the way to Vinh Long by boat and finally reach Can Tho on the Hau River. We check in at the luxurious Can Tho Victoria Hotel for total relaxation and pampering for the next two days. (Hotel shuttleboats available for trips into the center of town -Free!)
Can Tho Victoria Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Group Dinner
included.
3 July Thursday Day Twelve Early morning (Very Early!) boat excursion to Can Tho's famous 'floating' wholesale markets. This is Delta river exploration at its best and must be experienced. We'll spend the whole morning on the river, stopping for meals and various surprises along the way. In the afternoon there will be plenty of free time for personal sightseeing or exploration around Can Tho.
Can Tho Victoria Hotel
Breakfast included, Lunch
and Dinner on your own.
4 July Friday Day Thirteen Late morning check out in Can Tho and then we take a leisurely drive back to Saigon. We return to the Bong Sen Hotel or equivalent. Upon arriving in Saigon there is still lots of time to see the city, shop, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of one of Asia's fastest growing commercial centers.
Bong Sen Hotel, Bong Sen Annex, or equivalent.
Breakfast included, Lunch
and Dinner on your own.
5 July Saturday Day Fourteen Last full day in Viet Nam, especially Saigon. Today you'll have an opportunity to take a full guided tour of Saigon to include Nguyen Van Thieu's Presidential Palace, Le Duan Street, The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Saigon, the Old Post Office Building, Cho Lon (China Town), and Saigon's waterfront. Other sites will be included. Or you can opt to take advantage of Saigon's shopping opportunities.
Bong Sen Hotel, etc.
Breakfast included, Lunch
on your own, in the evening a final Farewell Dinner on top the Rex Hotel.
6 July Sunday Day Fifteen Today we prepare to depart our hotel and Saigon. Time for last-minute shopping or packing for the trip home. Late afternoon check-out and then we proceed to the International Airport for our flight back to the U.S. late in the evening. We fly all night and arrive in Los Angeles the next morning.
Breakfast included. Lunch and Dinner on your own.
7 July Monday Return to LAX. Arrive at around 9:20 a.m. in Los Angeles.
Valor, Inc. 30 September to 15 October 2007 Total Corps Tour
(Does not include II-Corps) 30 September Sunday Day One connect to Incheon, Korea. Transfer to Viet Nam flight. 1 October Monday Day Two hotel in Old Quarter area. Overnight in Ha Noi. Eden Hotel 2 Oct. Tuesday Day Three area, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Presidential Palace, John McCain Statue, and all city highlights, and sections of the famous Old Quarter. Overnight in Ha Noi. Eden Hotel Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included. 3 Oct. Wednesday Day Four relax. In the evening , proceed to Ha Noi Station for train-ride south. Overnight on train to Dong Ha. B, L, included. Dinner on your own. 4 Oct. Thursday Day Five Truong Son Hotel. After a short break, tour DMZ area to include Rt. 9 all the way to Laos Border (town of Lao Bao). Stops include Camp Carroll, The Rock-Pile and Razor- Back, Da Krong, Khe Gia Bridge, Khe Sanh, Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, Lao Bao Prison, and the Border Gate on the Lao Frontier Zone. Overnight in Dong Ha. Dong Truong Son Hotel B, L, D, included. 5 Oct. Friday Day Six to include "Leatherneck Square" - Cam Lo, The Wash-out, Con Thien, and Gio Linh. We will also tour the Peace Bridge at the Ben Hai River and continue north to the Vinh Moc Tunnels 35 km. from Dong Ha. In the afternoon we proceed south to Hue and begin covering the city battle areas during the 1968 Tet Offensive. In the evening, a boat/dinner cruise on the Perfume River. Huong Giang Hotel B, L, D, included. 6 Oct. Saturday Day Seven Battle for Hue City north of the river, to include the Citadel and the "Phase-lines." In the afternoon we proceed to Da Nang, taking our time to stop at significant locations along Route One through Quang Tri, Phu Bai, and Phu Loc. Overnight in Da Nang. Bamboo Green Central Hotel. B, L, included. Dinner on your own. 7 Oct. Sunday Day Eight upon arrival, we'll drive directly to Dong Xoai (Binh Phuoc) and begin touring III-Corps to include Phuoc Vinh Airstrip. Overnight in Dong Xoai Nha Kach Tinh Binh Phuoc B, included, L, D, 'on the road' and individually paid for. 8 Oct. Monday Day Nine Quan Loi, and if necessary, Bu Dop (site of the jump-off for the Cambodian incursion.) Overnight in Dong Xoai Nha Khach Binh Phuoc B, included, L, D, 'on the road' and individually paid. 9 Oct. Tuesday Day Ten at Ben Cat/Lai Khe Airstrip and other sites as necessary. We will overnight in Tan An, on our way to the Mekong Delta. The New Phuong Nga Hotel, Tan An. B, and D, included, L 'on the road' and individually paid for. 10 Oct. Wednesday Day Eleven boat to Vinh Long and proceed by ferry boat to Can Tho. While in Cai Be, we'll spend plenty of time on the Mekong River visiting local villages and floating markets. This area was home to the U.S. Riverine Forces. Victoria Can Tho Hotel B, L, included, dinner on your own. 11 Oct. Thursday Day Twelve resort complexes along the Hau River. Opt for the (very early!) morning boat excursion to Can Tho's fascinating floating market, or opt for doing nothing by relaxing by the pool. You'll hate to leave this place! Victoria Can Tho Hotel B, included, L, D, on your own. 12 Oct. Friday Day Thirteen check out at noon for the 4-hour drive to Saigon. After arrival in Saigon we'll go directly to our final hotel. City-touring and dinner in the evening on your own. Bong Sen ANEX Hotel. B, included, L 'on the road,' and individually paid for, D on your own. 13 Oct. Saturday Day Fourteen and the site of the old American Embassy, Thieu's Presidential Palace, Cho Lon Chinese market area, City center near the Rex Hotel and the Saigon waterfront. (Or opt to spend a day in Vung Tau at the beach or enjoying the sites in Vung Tau. In the past we've used the expediency of the "Fast-Boat." This side tour is paid for individually by the tour participants, and well worth it!) Bong Sen ANEX Hotel. B, included, L, D, on your own. 14 Oct. Sunday Day Fifteen shopping before departure. Late check-out at hotel and then we depart for Tan Son Nhut Airport at 8:30 for international check-in procedures. The flight back to Incheon, Korea departs shortly after midnight. Late check-out at Hotel B, included, L, D, on your own. 15 October Monday
Valor, Inc. 24 June to 9 July
("The Highlands")
24 June Sunday Day One Depart Los Angeles (LAX) around noon and connect to Incheon, Korea. Transfer to Viet Nam flight.
25 June Monday Day Two Arrive in Ha Noi late in the evening and transfer to hotel in Old Quarter area. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Galaxy, Eden, or equivalent Hotel.
26 June Tuesday Day Three Full-day city tour of Ha Noi to include central Ba Dinh district, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Presidential Palace, John McCain Statue, and all city highlights, and sections of the famous Old Quarter. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Galaxy, Eden, or equivalent Hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
27 June Wednesday Day Four Full day in the city to continue touring, or rest and relax. In the evening, proceed to Ha Noi Station for train-ride south.
Overnight on train to Dong Ha.
B, L included. Dinner on your own.
28 June Thursday Day Five Arrive in Dong Ha in the a.m. and proceed to Dong Truong Son Hotel. After a short break, tour DMZ area to include Rt. 9 all the way to Laos Border (town of Lao Bao). Stops include Camp Carroll, The Rock-Pile and the Razor-Back, Da Krong, Khe Gia Bridge, Khe Sanh, Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, Lao Bao Prison, and the Border Gate on the Lao Frontier Zone. Overnight in Dong Ha.
Dong Truong Son Hotel.
B, L, D, included.
29 June Friday Day Six Very early morning departure and continue to tour the DMZ, to include "Leatherneck Square" -Cam Lo, The Wash-out, Con Thien, and Gio Linh. We will also tour the Peace Bridge at the Ben Hai River and continue north to the Vinh Moc Tunnels 35 km. from Dong Ha. In the afternoon we proceed south to Hue and begin covering the city battle areas during the 1968 Tet Offensive. In the evening, a boat/dinner cruise on the Perfume River.
Huong Giang Hotel.
B, L, D, included.
30 June Saturday Day Seven Morning tour to Hue that will cover the actions of the Battle for Hue City north of the river, to include the Citadel and the "Phase-lines." In the afternoon we proceed to Hoi An, taking our time to stop at significant locations along Route One through Quang Tri, Phu Bai, and Phu Loc, and Da Nang City.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Lotus Hotel
B, L, included. D on your own.
1 July Sunday Day Eight Very early morning departure for trip south to the Highlands, passing through Chu Lai, Duc Pho, and My Lai. Plenty of opportunities to stop along the way to Quy Nhon. We will reach Quy Nhon late in the afternoon and overnight at one of Quy Nhon’s newest resort facilities, Hoang Anh Resort.
B, L, included. D on your own.
2 July Monday Day Nine
The ‘New’ Dak Bla Hotel
B included, L, D, on your own.
3 July Tuesday Day Ten Today we tour the area around Kontum to include Dak To and Plei Me Special Forces Camp, and any other requested areas. Late in the evening we return to Plei Ku and overnight at the Hoang Anh Resort in Plei Ku.
Hoang Anh Resort (Plei Ku.)
B, L, included, D, on your own.
4 July Wednesday Day Eleven A very long drive today to Nha Trang with stops along the way for the incredible coastal scenery. We’ll pass through Tuy Hoa and overnight at the Asia Paradise Hotel near the beach.
Asia Paradise Hotel
B included, L on the road and paid for individually, D on your own.
5 July Thursday Day Twelve Early morning departure from Nha Trang for the Mui Ne area near Phan Thiet. In keeping with Valor’s "R & R at the end of the Tunnel" theme for this experience, the next two days will be spent in total luxury at this newest beach resort area in Viet Nam. Total relaxation in a spectacular setting. We’ll overnight at the Bamboo Village Resort in Mui Ne.
Bamboo Village Resort
B included, L, D on your own.
6 July Friday Day Thirteen Full day of R & R at Mui Ne. Nothing planned today.
Bamboo Village Resort
B included, L, D on your own at any of the fine local restaurants.
7 July Saturday Day Fourteen Drive to Saigon, passing through Xuan Loc area and passing Long Binh. There will be a short city tour upon reaching Saigon and plenty of time for personal exploration and shopping. In the evening a Farewell Dinner is planned at the top of the Rex Hotel.
Bong Sen, Huong Sen, or equivalent Hotel.
B, D included, L on the road and on your own.
8 July Sunday Day Fifteen Final full day in Saigon to rest, relax, or do that final shopping before departure. Late check-out at hotel and then we depart for Tan Son Nhut Airport at 8:30 p.m. for international check-in procedures. The flight back to Incheon, Korea departs shortly after midnight.
Late check-out at Hotel.
B included, L, D on your own.
9 July Monday Day Sixteen Return to LAX. Arrive at around 9:20 a.m. in Los Angeles.
.
