Tour Packages
| Here are the trips in the works for 2009 | ||||||
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At this time, these are target dates, and are subject to change
to meet the needs of the group.
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Two Weeks Feb 28-March 14 June 6-June 20 Aug 1-Aug 15 Oct 17- Oct 31 |
One Week Feb 15 Feb 22 April 12-19 May 10- May 17 Sep 6- Sep 13 |
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| Two Week Tours | One Week Tours | Veterans Tours | Custom Tours | |||
| Two Weeks in Vietnam - $1400.00* | ||||||
| Day 1 | Saigon | Officially known as Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon has become the business center of Vietnam with modern skyscrapers, new hotels and an energy comparable to any major city in the world. Yet, it's kept much of its old world charm and has much to offer in the way of shopping and sightseeing. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and driver who will take you on a brief tour of the city before checking into your hotel. Take some time to relax and freshen up in your room before going to the market for a little shopping and a photo excursion. Then have a terrific traditional dinner at one of Saigon's fine restaurants. | ||||
| Day 2 | Mekong Delta / Saigon |
We head south 70 km to the Mekong Delta. This is a must see for anyone who comes to Vietnam. A boat will take us up the Mekong River to one of the many islands where we can see the small villages and experience the lifestyle of the people who fish and farm in this area. We will have lunch at one of the outdoor restaurants and have a chance to row small canoes through some of the lush jungle lined canals that run through the area. |
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| Day 3 | Cu Chi Tunnels |
The next morning we load up head out of
the city to Cu Chi. This area is famous for its elaborate tunnel
complex that was used by the VC and Northern Army during the war.
One has to see this complex to fully appreciate it. Though the
allied troops knew of its existence, they were never able to locate
the more than two hundred kilometers of tunnels that served as a
major stronghold for the Resistance during the war.
We fly out in the afternoon so make sure you are ready to head out in time for our flight. |
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| Day 4 | Quy Nhon | This beautiful coastal city offers some of the finest beaches and hotel accommodations to be found anywhere. We will stay at a luxurious hotel with a swimming pool that overlooks the ocean. We will explore the fishing harbor and then have a great seafood dinner at one of the many restaurants near by. | ||||
| Day 5 | Hoi An |
We load up early and drive up the coast,
stopping in route at Chu Lai military base. This was the sight of
the first major engagement between American and Vietnamese forces in
1965.
Hoi An is historic village just south of Da Nang and has become a famous attraction for tourists because of its many fine shops and restaurants. We will visit the silk factory where they spin the silk from the cocoon of the silk worm into fine fabric and then custom tailor clothing for you on the spot. You can be measured in the afternoon and have your garment delivered to your hotel before noon the following day. |
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| Day 6 | Hoi An | Before breakfast we catch a boat on the river and take an hour cruise and watch the fishermen cast their giant nets out for their morning catch. The rest of the day is free time to wonder the streets and do a little shopping before dinner. | ||||
| Day 7 | Da Nang / Hue |
On the road between Hoi An and Da Nang,
we pass by Marble Mountain. This cluster of five small mountains of
marble has been a holy place for centuries. There is a Buddhist
temple at the top and a very impressive cave to examine. This cave
was used by the Viet Cong during the war as an R&R (rest and
relaxation) center and they could look down into the Marine facility
known as Freedom Hill located at its base. It's a bit of a climb up
a stairway to get to the top but it's worth the effort. We will also
stop at the marble factory where they hand carve amazing pieces of
art from the marble found in the mountain. We will stop for lunch in Da Nang and cool off with a swim on China Beach. The water is beautiful and warm and the beaches are nearly deserted during the day. From here, we drive over Hai Van Pass to the city of Hue (pronounced wey) 70 km to the north. |
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| Day 8 | Hue |
With its central location and beautiful
setting on the Perfume River, Hue was selected by the emperor to be
the capital of Vietnam in 1805. His palace, or The Citadel, was
modeled after the Forbidden City in China. Hue became the cultural
center of Vietnam and has much to offer for all visitors. Hue was
also the setting for some of the heaviest fighting during the war.
In 1968 during the Tet holiday, Viet Cong and North Vietnam regulars
took up positions in the Citadel and held on to their positions for
18 days. This resulted in the destruction of most of the emperor's
palace and much of the city itself. Today, a monumental effort is
underway to restore the Citadel to its original splendor. While in Hue, we will have a Royal Dinner on the river complete with costumes and traditional music. We will also take a boat up the river to visit many of the key attractions in this interesting city. Our hotel, The Saigon Morin, is my favorite place to stay in Vietnam. Its old French charm and beautiful courtyard and pool make for a relaxing evening. |
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| Day 9 | Hanoi | We catch the morning flight from Hue to Hanoi, arriving at about eleven o'clock. Before checking into our hotel, we will stop at the famous Hanoi Hilton where American servicemen were held prisoner during the war years. After a brief city tour, we will check into our hotel and have time to unwind before taking a cyclo ride through The Old Quarter with its many sidewalk shops and restaurants. This section of Hanoi is something that must be experienced! | ||||
| Day 10 | Hanoi |
Feel free to sleep in or get caught up
on your email or postcards. We will gather for a traditional Hanoi
lunch then visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the house where he
lived during the war years. We will also stop at the ancient One
Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of literature before stretching our
legs in a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake where many of the locals can be
seen doing their Tai Chi and playing chess in the shade that
surrounds this peaceful lake. We need to be packed and ready to catch the train for Sapa by 8:00 pm. This overnight train has had many improvements in recent years and now offers comfortable sleeper cars. The train pulls out at nine o'clock and arrives at Lao Cai along the Chinese border at 6 in the morning. |
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| Day 11 | Sapa | From Lao Cai we take a shuttle to the mountain town of Sapa. Sapa is a favorite for tourists from all over the world. Its impressive terraced rice fields and the colorful clothing worn by the tribal women of the area make Sapa a photographer's dream. The weather in Sapa is much cooler because of its elevation (1,400 meters) so bring a light jacket or raincoat. We will go for a trek into the countryside so appropriate footwear is essential. | ||||
| Day 12 | Sapa | We will spend the morning shopping and photographing at the local market before checking out and returning to Lao Cai, take photos on the Chinese border, then catch the train back to Hanoi. | ||||
| Day 13 | Ha Long Bay | Arrive in Hanoi at 5:30 am, have breakfast then head out for Ha Long. No trip to Vietnam would be complete without spending a night on the magnificent Ha Long Bay. It's a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle and reflect on your trip to Vietnam. This natural wonder is made up of over one thousand islands that jut up from the quiet bay like dragons teeth and has been nominated to be on the list of the seven natural wonders of the world. Your boat, a large wooden 'junk" has comfortable cabins with private bathroom and an observation deck. The food served by the crew is the freshest seafood that can be found and is delicious. | ||||
| Day 14 | Hanoi | The boat returns to the dock after lunch and we return to Hanoi around four pm. You will have one last day to finish your last minute shopping and browse through the Old Quarter at your own pace. This is also a great time to get your laundry done, pack your bags, and prepare for the flight home. | ||||
| Home | Drive to the airport to catch your international flight back home. You arrive in California at about the same time you left Hanoi. | |||||
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One Week In Vietnam - $800.00* |
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| Day 1 | Saigon | Officially known as Ho Chi Minh City, the city has become the business center of Vietnam with modern skyscrapers, new hotels and an energy comparable to any major city in the world. Yet, it's kept much of its old world charm and has much to offer in the way of shopping and sightseeing. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and driver who will take you on a brief tour of the city before checking into your hotel. Take some time to relax and freshen up in your room before going to the market for a little shopping and a photo excursion. Then have a terrific traditional dinner at one of Saigon's fine restaurants. | ||||
| Day 2 | Hoi An | We load up early and fly up the coast to Da Nang. We will have a bus waiting to take us to Hoi An. This historic village just 20 km to the south has become a famous attraction for tourists because of its many fine shops and restaurants. We will visit the silk factory where they spin the silk from the cocoon of the silk worm into fine fabric and then custom tailor clothing for you on the spot. You can be measured in the afternoon and have your garment delivered to your hotel before noon the following day. | ||||
| Day 3 | Da Nang |
Leaving Hoi An, we will stop at Marble
Mountain. This cluster of five small mountains has been a holy place
for centuries. There is a Buddhist temple at the top and a very
impressive cave to examine. The cave was used by the Viet Cong
during the war as an R&R (rest and relaxation) center and they could
look down into the Marine facility known as Freedom Hill located at
its base. It's a bit of a climb up a stairway to get to the top but
it's worth the effort. We will also stop at the marble factory where
they hand carve amazing pieces of art from the marble found in the
mountain. We will stop for lunch in Da Nang and go for a swim on China Beach. The water is beautiful and warm and the beaches are nearly deserted during the day. From here, we drive over Hai Van Pass to the city of Hue (pronounced wey) 70 km to the north. |
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| Day 4 | Hue |
With its central location and beautiful
setting on the Perfume River, Hue was selected by the emperor to be
the capital of Vietnam in 1805. His palace, or The Citadel, was
modeled after the Forbidden City in China. Hue became the cultural
center of Vietnam and has much to offer for all visitors. Hue was
also the setting for some of the heaviest fighting during the war.
In 1968 during the Tet holiday, Viet Cong and North Vietnam regulars
took up positions in the Citadel and held on to their positions for
18 days. This resulted in the destruction of most of the emperor's
palace and much of the city itself. Today, a monumental effort is
underway to restore the Citadel to its original splendor. While in Hue, we will have a Royal Dinner on the river complete with costumes and traditional music. We will also take a boat up the river to visit many of the key attractions in this interesting city. Our hotel, The Saigon Morin, is my favorite place to stay in Vietnam. Its old French charm and beautiful courtyard and pool make for a relaxing evening. |
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| Day 5 | Hanoi | We catch the morning flight from Hue to Hanoi, arriving at about eleven o'clock. Before checking into our hotel, we will stop at the famous Hanoi Hilton where American servicemen were held prisoner during the war years. After a brief city tour, we will check into our hotel and have time to unwind before taking a cyclo ride through The Old Quarter with its many sidewalk shops and restaurants. This section of Hanoi is something that must be experienced! | ||||
| Day 6 | Ha Long Bay | No trip to Vietnam would be complete without spending a night on the magnificent Ha Long Bay. It's a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle and reflect on your trip to Vietnam. This natural wonder is made up of over three thousand islands that jut up from the quiet bay like dragons teeth and has been nominated to be on the list of the seven natural wonders of the world. Your boat, a large wooden 'junk" has comfortable cabins with private bathroom and an observation deck. The food served by the crew is the freshest seafood that can be found and is delicious. | ||||
| Day 7 | Ha Long / Hanoi | We arrive back in Hanoi after lunch and you will have one last day to finish your last minute shopping and browse through the Old Quarter at your own pace. This is also a great time to get your laundry done, pack your bags, and prepare for the flight home. | ||||
| Home | ||||||
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Veteran's Tours
$1200.00* Though this tour is designed with the veteran in mind, it is not limited to only veterans. Family members are most welcome. If you are interested in the war in Vietnam and want to see some of the key places of the war, please join us. If you want to bring a group of vets over, let me know and I will put a package together that is customized to you needs. |
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| Day 1 | Saigon | I will
meet you at the airport and we load up on the bus to take us to our
hotel. After taking a little time to freshen up, we will take a
quick tour of the city and see the Presidential Palace where the NVA
tanks crashed through the gates in 1975 and then stop at the war
museum to see how the Vietnamese portray the war. The American
Embassy where the last Marines were lifted out is no longer standing
so we won't be going there. After our city tour, we will have some time to walk around a little before dinner. Be prepared to eat a lot. There are a couple of good night spots close to our hotel if any of you are ready to get out for some R&R. |
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| Day 2 | Cu Chi | The next morning we load up head out of the city to Cu Chi. This area is famous for its elaborate tunnel complex that was used by the VC and Northern Army during the war. One has to see this complex to fully appreciate it. Though the allied troops knew of its existence, they were never able to locate the more than two hundred kilometers of tunnels that served as a major stronghold for the Resistance during the war. | ||||
| Day 3 | Da Nang | Most
Marines who served in Nam spent at least some time in Da Nang. This
was the transit center for Marines coming in and going out of
country. On arrival in Da Nang, we will drive around the city for a
tour of some of our old stomping grounds. Namo Bridge, Freedom Hill,
Monkey Mountain, to name a few. Keep your swim trunks handy because
we will go for a swim on China Beach before having lunch.
After checking into our hotel, we will take a couple of hours break then drive to Marble Mountain, just south of the city. This cluster of five small mountains of marble has been a holy place for centuries and there is a Buddhist temple at the top and a very impressive cave to examine. This cave was used by the Viet Cong during the war as an R&R center and hospital. It's a bit of a climb up a stairway to get to the top but it's worth the effort. We will also stop at the marble factory where they hand carve amazing pieces of art from the marble found in the mountain.
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| Day 4 | Hill 55, Ga Noi Island, Arizona Territory, Chu Lai | It could
be said that the real shooting war between the American forces and
the Vietnamese started south of Da Nang in a place known as Chu Lai.
This was the stage in 1965 for Operation Starlight where the first
major engagement between the two forces took place. In the following
years, the area to the west and south of Da Nang became a hotbed of
conflict. We will check out many of the key areas that became well
known to the Marines who served here. This will be a long day so be
prepared by wearing a good pair of shoes and hat. After our day in the field, we will stop in the historical village of Hoi An for the night.
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| Day 5 | Hoi An | The
historical town of Hoi An is a great place to get out and do some
shopping. This small town has become a number one tourist stop over
because of its many shops, restaurants, and easy going atmosphere.
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| Day 6 | Dong Ha / DMZ
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We load
up early the next morning and head north over Hai Van Pass to the
DMZ. We will drive up Highway 1 to Dong Ha for lunch then catch
Highway 9 through Cam Lo, past The Rockpile and LZ Stud and end up
at Khe Sanh. There isn't a lot left of the original base but the
Vietnamese have put up an interesting museum on the site of the old
airstrip. We drive back to Dong Ha and spend the night at a hotel on Highway 9 and go for a swim.
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| Day 7 | DMZ
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This day
will be spent exploring some of the old stomping grounds along the
DMZ. Places like Con Thien, Mutter's Ridge, A-2, C-3, Gio Linh, and
Dai Do. After lunch at Qua Viet, we go up to the Ben Hai River that
separated the North from the south and have a photo op on the
bridge. There are also some impressive tunnels at the town of Vinh
Moc to explore. Then it's back to Hue for a little R&R.
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| Day 8 | Hue |
With its central location and beautiful
setting on the Perfume River, Hue was selected by the emperor to be
the capital of Vietnam in 1805. His palace, or The Citadel, was
modeled after the Forbidden City in China. Hue became the cultural
center of Vietnam and has much to offer for all visitors. Hue was
also the setting for some of the heaviest fighting during the war.
In 1968 during the Tet holiday, Viet Cong and North Vietnam regulars
took up positions in the Citadel and held on to their positions for
18 days. This resulted in the destruction of most of the emperor's
palace and much of the city itself. Today, a monumental effort is
underway to restore the Citadel to its original splendor. The first eveining, we will have a Royal Dinner on the river complete with costumes and traditional music. We will also take a boat up the river to visit many of the key attractions in this interesting city. Our hotel, The Saigon Morin, is my favorite place to stay in Vietnam. Its old French charm and beautiful courtyard and pool make for a relaxing evening. |
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| Day 9 | Hue | This will be a free day to relax, explore, shop, whatever you want. Hue is a great place to get out and just look around. In the evening we will set up a dinner with some former NVA as our guests. It's always interesting to sit down and share old war stories with these men. | ||||
| Day 10 | Hanoi | Catching the morning flight out of Phu Bai we arrive in Hanoi and go by West Lake where John McCain was shot down then take a tour of the Hanoi Hilton Prison before checking into our hotel. After lunch, we will stop and the war museum then go visit the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh. In the evening, we grab some cyclos (pedi cabs) and have a ride around the Old Quarter of Hanoi before dinner. | ||||
| Day 11 | Dien Bien Phu (This excursion is dependant on flight availability.) |
Dien Bien Phu was the site that marked the end of the beginning of the Vietnam War in 1954. It is here that the French were defeated by General Giap and his fighters. We spend the night here then fly back to Hanoi the next afternoon. This area is too far to drive from Hanoi and flights do not run every day. This excursion may not be available for all tours. | ||||
| Day 12 | Hanoi | We return to Hanoi late in the afternoon and have the evening on our own. It will be a good time for independent exploration or catching up on email. Dinner is on your own. | ||||
| Day 13 | Ha Long | No trip to Vietnam would be complete without spending a night on the magnificent Ha Long Bay. It's a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle and reflect on your trip to Vietnam. This natural wonder is made up of over three thousand islands that jut up from the quiet bay like dragons teeth and has been nominated to be on the list of the seven natural wonders of the world. Your boat, a large wooden 'junk" has comfortable cabins with private bathroom and an observation deck. The food served by the crew is the freshest seafood that can be found and is delicious. | ||||
| Day 14 | Ha Long / Hanoi | We will return to Hanoi around four in the afternoon and get ready to head home in the morning. There will be time for some last minute shopping as well. For our final evening, we will have a farewell dinner complete with special entertainment. | ||||
| Home | Saddle up for the Freedom Flight back to the world. | |||||
| Custom Tours | ||||||
| Custom tours are available for anyone who has special things in mind. We can arrange hotels, transportation, and guide service to meet any of your needs. | ||||||
| *Prices are based on groups of 6 or more and include all domestic transportation, two meals per day, double occupancy hotel rooms, guide service, and entrance fees and permits where needed. Prices do not include international airfare, travel insurance, visas, beverages or tipping, | ||||||