February 14 – day 1 Depart from Los Angeles to Hong Kong
We board our Cathay Pacific Flight to Hong Kong from LA airport, departing at 11:05 PM. (In-flight meal service)

February 15 – day 2 In Transit to Hong Kong

February 16 – day 3 Arrival Hong Kong/Saigon
In Hong Kong we connect with our onward flight to Saigon. We arrive in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in the mid morning and the rest of the day is ours to relax. Tonight we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight REX HOTEL (In-flight meal service, D)

February 17 – day 4 Saigon
We board our motor coach for a sightseeing tour of Saigon, Vietnam's largest city. The city churns and bubbles, yet within this teeming metropolis we find the beauty of an ancient culture and timeless traditions. We will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere - street markets, outdoor cafes, sleek new cafes and pubs, and at the west end of the city, a huge Chinese neighborhood called Cholon, which means "Big Market." French and Christian influence is recognized in the landmark structures on our city tour. Notre Dame Cathedral with a statue of the Virgin Mary out in front, was built in the late 1800s in a neo-Romanesque style and is situated in the heart of Saigon's government quarters. Right next to it we will see the Central Post Office, the largest post office in Vietnam, and City Hall, also known as "Hotel de Ville," with its ornate gingerbread facade it resembles a town hall in France. The Opera House, known as the "Saigon Concert Hall," housed the lower division of the National Assembly and is now used as the Municipal Theater. The Reunification Palace, still preserved in its original state, was used as the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president until it was stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975, signifying the fall of South Vietnam. We'll see a collection of weapons and photographs from two Indochina wars at the War Remnants Museum. Among the museum's exhibits is an original French Guillotine brought here in the early 20th century. Ben Thanh Market, Saigon's central market and surrounding streets are the city's liveliest areas. Everything that's commonly eaten, worn or used by the average Saigon resident is available here. Choice handicrafts and laquerware are available in Saigon's main shopping area, Dong Khoi Street, known as "Rue Catinet" during the French years. After this day full of new impressions, we return to our hotel to freshen up for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight REX HOTEL (B, D)

February 18 – day 5 Saigon
Our journey takes us northwest to the province of Tay Ninh, where we see the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Ben Duoc Monument. Cu Chi, due to its strategic location to Ho Chi Minh City, was an important American base during the War. The Cu Chi Tunnels, dug with hand tools by the Vietcong, connected command posts, hospitals, shelters, and weapon factories. This amazing 125 mile long network of tunnels was never discovered by the American forces. The Ben Duoc Monument, designed like a traditional Vietnamese temple is dedicated to the war martyrs from 40 cities and provinces, who laid down their lives on the battle fields of Saigon, Cho Lon, and Gia Dinh during the anti-French and US resistance wars for national independence and freedom. The monument was erected in 1995 and includes a 43 foot high tower surrounded with gardens filled with ornamental plants and flowers blooming year-round. We return to Saigon for dinner and another overnight stay. Overnight REX HOTEL (B, D)

February 19 – day 6 Saigon/Hue
This morning, we will explore some of the former US Military bases including Bin Hoa, located 25 miles from Saigon, and later this afternoon, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Hue. On arrival in Hue we enjoy a city tour of this Old Imperial City built in the early 19th century. Although Hue has sustained much damage from natural disasters and wars, it still has the intact appearance of a complex monarchic capital consisting of walls, towers, palaces, and royal tombs. The Citadel (the square enclosure around the city) has a perimeter of 6.25 miles and a height of about 21 feet. The principle entrance, the Ngo Mon Gate, was reserved for the use by the emperor only, as was the bridge across the lotus pond. The Thai Hoa Palace consists of a spacious hall topped with an ornate roof supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. We will also see the Halls of Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the Forbidden Purple City. Overnight SAIGON MORIN HOTEL (B, D)

February 20 – day 7 Hue
Today we drive to Camp Carroll and the Kha Sanh Combat Base. Camp Carroll, established in 1966, was named after a US Marine Captain who was killed trying to seize a nearby ridge. Gargantuan 175-mm cannons were used here to shell targets, and in early 1968, one of the most controversial and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War occurred here. The base is located on a barren plateau, surrounded by vegetation-covered hills, often obscured by mist and fog. Later, we'll return to Hue for our dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight SAIGON MORIN HOTEL (B, D)

February 21 – day 8 Hue/Dong Ha/Hue
After breakfast, we are on our way to Dong Ha. Our route takes us northwest along Highway 1 past Huong Dien and Quang Tri. During the war, the town Quang Tri, once an important citadel city, was heavily bombed and almost all of the original buildings were destroyed. Then we travel to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) and we'll see the Vinh Moc Tunnels. The residents of Vinh Moc dug the 1.75 mile long tunnels into the red clay by hand and made it their home, since their village was located in one of the most heavily bombed areas. On a low rise south of the Ben Hai River we will see another base, Doc Mieu, which was part of the former McNamara line, the demarcation line between North and South Vietnam. This base was outfitted with an elaborate electronic system, intended to prevent infiltration across the DMZ. Remains of bunkers, craters and shrapnel can still be seen. The Truong Son Cemetery is a memorial to tens of thousands of North Vietnamese transport and construction soldiers, who were killed in the Truong Son Mountains along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The Con Thien Fire base, established by the US Marine Corps to stop infiltration across the DMZ was besieged in 1967 by the North Vietnam forces. The Rockpile, named after a large pile of rocks the US Marine Corps used as a lookout, can be seen, and also the Dakrong Bridge, built in 1975-76 with Cuban government aid. The last stop will be at the Lang Vay Special Forces Camp, established in 1962, and attacked and overrun in 1968 by the North Vietnamese infantry backed by nine tanks. Left here are only the remains of numerous overgrown concrete bunkers. Overnight SAIGON MORIN HOTEL (B, D)

February 22 – day 9 Hue/Da Nang/Hoi An
Today we drive from Hue to Hoi An and visit Da Nang on the way. We cross the Hai Van Pass in the Truong Son Mountain Range that stretches into the South China Sea. We will travel through an incredible mountainous area with spectacular views until we reach Lang Co beach resort. This pretty, island-like area of palm-shaded beaches is located on a crystal-clear lagoon – a forget-me-not stopover on our way to Da Nang. Da Nang, Vietnam's fourth largest city, is boasting a year-round pleasant climate since it's located in the northern limits of Vietnam's tropical zone. In Da Nang, we visit the Cham Museum, founded in 1915 by the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient. Its open-air collection of Cham sculptures is the finest in the world. Many of these sandstone carvings are breathtaking. Sightseeing highlights are the China Beach and the Marble Mountains. The China Beach, made famous by an American TV series of the same name, stretches many miles north and south of the Marble Mountains. During the war, American soldiers were airlifted here for rest and relaxation. The Marble Mountains are five marble hills and Vietnamese folklore tells that each of these hills represents one of the five elements of the universe. The largest and most famous, Thuy Son, has a number of natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. When the Champas ruled this area, the same caves were used as Hindu shrines. We'll drive on to Hoi An for our overnight stay. Dinner will be at a local restaurant. Overnight PACIFIC HOTEL (B, D)

February 23 – day 10 Hoi An/Da Nang/Hanoi (Flight)
Today each of us will take a Cyclo, the local form of a taxi, for our sightseeing tour of Hoi An. Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town, known as Faifo to early western traders, was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The sightseeing tour of historical buildings includes the Quan Cong Temple, an Assembly Hall of a Cantonese Chinese Congregation built in 1786 by Cantonese merchants who settled in Hoi An to do business. The building is surrounded by a central courtyard, and is highly decorated with intricate stone and wood carvings. The site enshrines an image of the god Quan Cong, flanked by the Goddess of mercy and the God of prosperity. We'll see the Phuoc Kien Pagoda, dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, Goddess of the sea and protector of sailors and fishermen, and another sight the Japanese Covered Bridge. The first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The Tran Family Chapel built about 200 years ago was used for worship by the Tran family whose ancestors moved from China to Vietnam around 1700. The Sa Huynh Museum, contains exhibits from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. We will also see the Phung Hung House where one family has been living for 8 generations. After concluding our city tour of Hoi An, we will transfer to the Da Nang airport for our flight to Hanoi. Our motor coach will meet us at the airport and will take us to our hotel. Later that evening we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight GUOMAN HOTEL (B, D)

February 24 – day 11 Hanoi
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has shaken off its unwelcoming attitude to travelers. The city is slow-paced and pleasant, with its lakes, shaded boulevards, and public parks; it is a fusion of the old and the new with its beautiful architectural treasures, colonial French homes and astounding modern skyscrapers. Bustling markets, thriving nightlife and excellent food are attracting many visitors to this ancient city. Sightseeing highlights are the One Pillar Pagoda constructed of wood on a single stone pillar, designed to resemble a lotus blossom, the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius in order to honor scholars and men of literary accomplishment, and right in the heart of Hanoi lies Hoan Kiem Lake, where on an islet, a tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with a red star was built. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh and has become a site of pilgrimage. We also see the magnificent Opera House, and St. Joseph Cathedral noted for its square towers, elaborate altar, and stained glass windows. Artifacts from Vietnam's turbulent military history are exhibited in the Bao Tang Lich museum. Displayed outside the museum are Soviet and Chinese weaponry supplied to North Vietnam during the war, alongside French and US made weapons captured in the Franco-Viet Minh and American wars. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight GUOMAN HOTEL (B, D)

February 25 – day 12 Hanoi/Halong Bay/Hanoi
Today we will enjoy a full day excursion to Halong Bay, including a four-hour boat trip. We'll sail past the islands of Trong, Mai, Am, Chen and Cong Troi (Heaven Gates.) We stop at one of the islands and visit Hang Dau Go, a huge three-chambered cave, which can only be reached via 90 steps. The cave was used during the 13th century to store bamboo stakes used to fight off Mongolian invaders. We will also explore Bo Nau, the "Pelican" and Thien Cung, the "Heaven Palace" caves. We return to Hanoi for our last nights stay and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight GUOMAN Hotel (B, D)

February 24 – day 13 Hanoi/Hong Kong/Los Angeles
We say farewell to Vietnam as we depart from Hanoi to Hong Kong, where we board our International flight to Los Angeles. We will gain back the lost day and arrive in the United States the same day. (B, In-flight meal service)

Price Includes:
Airfare, air taxes and transfers; all tours, hotel accommodations, meals as detailed in itinerary
(B, L, D) Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Price based on departure from Los Angeles
Tour is all inclusive there are no optional tours necessary or available