Vietnam War history tour

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, where your personal guide meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free to relax, sample Saigon’s vibrant street food, or begin exploring the city at your own pace.

Throughout your Vietnam travel experience, your local guide is available to tailor activities to your interests, from authentic dining experiences to visits to significant war-era sites.

Explore Old Saigon’s colonial landmarks, including the Opera House, the Continental Hotel, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office, and the Reunification Palace. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, uncover the stories behind the architecture and gain insight into Saigon’s colonial-era history.

Continue with a visit to the War Remnants Museum, where powerful photographs, US-era artifacts, and military equipment provide a sobering and informative perspective on the Vietnam War.

Begin your day with a tailored visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. After a two-hour drive, explore the extensive underground network used by the Viet Cong, including a preserved section of tunnel that offers insight into the confined living conditions and guerrilla tactics of the period.

In the afternoon, continue to the Ba Den battlefield area at the end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Take a cable car to the summit of Nui Ba Den, where sweeping views provide space for reflection on a landscape shaped by intense conflict. In the evening, your driver returns you to Ho Chi Minh City for the night.

Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, then continue by private transfer to Hoi An for hotel check-in. As part of your Vietnam itinerary, enjoy personalized service with a local driver who shares practical tips and insights along the way.

In the evening, stroll through the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An and visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, a historic Chinese temple, and a former Vietnamese merchant’s house to experience the town’s well-preserved architecture and living history.

Later, meet a local artisan and learn how to make a traditional lantern by hand, creating a meaningful keepsake to take home.

At the Son My Memorial, learn about the March 16, 1968, My Lai Massacre through carefully presented exhibits, eyewitness accounts, and preserved sites that convey the human cost of conflict.

En route, pause to visit Chien Dan Cham, a group of ancient Champa towers more than a thousand years old, offering historical context that predates the modern era of conflict.

Enjoy a free morning to explore Hoi An at your own pace. Wander through lantern-lit streets, cycle into the surrounding countryside, or unwind on a nearby beach for a balanced mix of culture and relaxation.

In the afternoon, depart on a three-hour drive to the imperial city of Huế.

Visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and learn about the history of the Nguyen dynasty. Continue to Huế’s Imperial Citadel, modeled on Beijing’s Forbidden City and still bearing the scars of the 1968 Battle of Huế. Later, wander through Dong Ba Market for a glimpse of everyday local life.

Return to your hotel to relax, or opt for a guided bicycle ride with your local guide through the surrounding countryside for a more personal experience.

Drive two hours northwest from Huế to the former Demilitarized Zone, which once separated North and South Vietnam. Visit the Rockpile and cross the historic Hien Luong Bridge.

Walk through the bullet-riddled Quang Tri Citadel and continue to Camp Carroll and the remaining sections of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Together, these sites offer insight into key battlefields and vital supply routes of the war.

This morning, your driver transfers you to Huế Airport for a short flight to Hanoi. Relax during the journey and take in the changing landscapes as you travel from the former imperial capital to Vietnam’s vibrant northern city.

Upon arrival, visit Mr. My's home, a former Vietnam War pilot, and enjoy an intimate conversation about his personal experiences and local history.

The evening is free to explore Hanoi’s street food scene at your own pace, or choose an optional tailor-made street food tour designed around your tastes to sample authentic dishes and experience the city’s evening atmosphere.

After breakfast, your guide leads a tailored exploration of Hanoi, one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. Begin with visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, and the One Pillar Pagoda, gaining insight into the country’s leadership and daily life.

In the afternoon, continue to the North Vietnamese General Command Headquarters within the Thang Long Citadel.

Visit Hoa Lo Prison, often referred to as the Hanoi Hilton, followed by Kham Thien Street, the B-52 Memorial Lake, and the Downed Aircraft Memorial. These locations offer powerful perspectives on the 1972 Christmas Bombings and their impact on the city.

Today, travel to Ha Long Bay to begin a two-day cruise through a UNESCO-listed seascape of dramatic limestone karsts. Sail past towering islets and a traditional fishing village before anchoring in the tranquil Frog Pond area.

On board, choose from activities such as kayaking, swimming, or diving to explore hidden caves, snorkel in turquoise waters, and observe local life along the bay.

Spend the morning on board the boat. Rise early for an optional Tai Chi session on deck, set against the tranquil waters of Ha Long Bay. Later, explore Sung Sot Cave, climbing approximately 600 steps to reach its impressive, cathedral-like chambers.

Around 11:00 am, the cruise concludes, and your guide transfers you back to Hanoi. The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax at your leisure.

After your Vietnam War tour, enjoy a final, tailor-made morning immersed in local life. Sip a leisurely coffee, browse for last-minute keepsakes, or take a reflective walk through the neighborhood that has shaped your journey.

When it is time to depart, your private driver transfers you to the international airport and assists with check-in and luggage, ensuring a smooth and seamless conclusion to your Vietnam trip.