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
Life changed for Nghia Dong and his family the day he learned the pain he was suffering was caused by stomach cancer. Since that day there has not been a single day like any of the old days. We go through life hardly noting the passage of time, now each day brings with it a new meaning, a new outlook, a new dilemma, which, in the barrage of unanticipated concerns, often goes unrecognized or unappreciated. As cancer cells consume the body, everyone’s thoughts become consumed with fear. This is not surprising; cancer is a disease that is still spoken of with subdued voices, its initial pronouncement echoing sounds of the death knell. Cancer is a disease that also plays with the emotions of patients and their loved ones. Yet, there are survivors and somewhere in the wide emotional swings lies reason for hope. In Nghia’s case, however, valuable time was lost due to an initial misdiagnosis.
From the very beginning there has been openness among Dong family members about Nghia’s prospects for survival. For some, during the early days, the comforting protection offered by denial provided a measure of solace. But by holding frank discussions and consultations with doctors (pre- and post-surgery, pre- and post-treatments, this is a time when you cannot ask too many questions), and during family meetings, everyone is apprised of Nghia’s condition, and of the process and prospects through each stage. This knowledge has not made it any easier for some members of the extended family. While preparations are being made for the inevitability of Nghia’s passing, no one is ready to give up hope.
Nghia Dong was a soldier during the Vietnam War. He spent most of the war in the service of the American Consulate where he personally placed himself at risk, being wounded in the process, in the defense of those he was assigned to protect. His mind still functions like a soldier as he finds himself once again in battle, only this time he has been ambushed and weakened by a silent and unseen enemy. This is a personal battle, one that he would like to fight on his own terms, confronting the enemy directly; however, he cannot fight this battle alone. The battle against cancer requires unconventional weapons; first, as much of the enemy as possible must be surgically removed, then, after recovery, a strict regimen of radiation and chemotherapy. At the same time the patient’s body is being assaulted, inside and out, by friend and foe, the patient needs to draw on all resources available to maintain the strength needed to continue the battle. The bravery Nghia exhibited during his service in still sustains him, he will need all of it if he is to survive the next, more robust round of treatments. He was successful in his personal duties to the American Consulate, yet, the larger war was lost, in the same respect, he will not be able to defeat cancer, but on a personal level he may overcome the enemy trying to destroy him from within.
As a young man fleeing , Nghia met his future wife in a moment of tenderness. Hanh was a seasick young woman traveling on the same boat when she vomited on his shoes. Nghia, overcome with compassion and attracted by her beauty, which is evident in early photographs of her, attempted to comfort her by putting his arms around her shoulders and holding her tightly against his body. When they reached their destination they separated, but each had come to know the other well enough, that when a chance meeting brought them together again, they recognized each other. If not initially smitten with this captivating young woman, he was now and endeavored to make the most of this opportunity. It was during this second meeting that they decided to stay together and raise a family. After the birth of two children, the young couple was forcefully separated, this time by Hanh’s brother who did not approve of their relationship. The children were sent to live with other families and Hanh was placed in the care of an uncle who found employment for her away from where she had been living with Nghia. Through an extraordinary test of wills, Hanh and Nghia were able to reunite. However, they were unsuccessful in their attempts to reclaim their two children who still live in . They made a fresh start with a daughter, Thuy, and after evacuating during the fall of , they went on to raise a family of five children.
There are two glaring aspects of cancer that weigh heavily on all involved: the emotional highs and lows and the visibility of the disease. Each seems equally difficult to cope with for a patient and family. Even a staunchly positive outlook surrenders to doubt at times, proving the fickleness of the mind to be as insidious as the disease itself. The rogue cells wreaking internal havoc and consuming stomach tissue are not visually evident. When we look at the patient, it is the physiognomy of stomach cancer that we actually see. We see the face of cancer by watching someone succumb to the disease, by observing the body wasting away, by the pained expressions that reach out to us who are essentially powerless beyond sympathy. It is in the decline of the patient that we witness these malignant cells growing, multiplying, and spreading.
The responsibility for arranging Nghia’s medical treatment has been shouldered by his daughter, Thuy, though always in consultation with him, moving forward only with his consent. She has a special bond with her dad, which almost makes agreement a one-sided affair. Her love and respect for him are boundless, so more often than not, though it sometimes takes a little badgering, she manages to convince him to follow a particular regimen designed to prepare him for the next step in the process. The end goal of this process is life. Most of the financial responsibilities have been delegated to Hiep, the eldest son living in the . This balance suits everyone and is in keeping with traditional Vietnamese culture.
Hanh, Nghia’s wife of 50 years, and Thuy have assumed the role of primary caregiver. This often leads to contentious confrontations between mother and daughter over what is best or what mistakes are being made. The family prides itself on being communicative, with clear, precise instructions being necessary to sustain proper medical care. At times, there has been confusion over medications and dietary needs. In fact, food consumption has been a particularly tricky issue; first, there was the need to reestablish the desire to eat, then, once the appetite returned, with the aid of medication, the process of eating had to be controlled to prevent overeating, which often led to vomiting, also controlled by medication. To combat this, a schedule calling for as many as eight small meals over the course of a day was instituted. However, as simple as this seems, this schedule takes vigilance and determination to maintain, and it has proved extremely difficult for both caregiver and patient to follow.
Exercise is another critical element on the path to wellness; it is beneficial for both mind and body. Here, too, the desire to want to make things easier for the patient is counterproductive. As long as Nghia is able to do certain tasks, family members should refrain from attempting to help him every chance they get. While this goes against one’s
natural inclinations, it is for the benefit of the patient. To some extent, so as not to appear helpless, he will make the effort on his own. When walking, Thuy often asks her dad to rate his pain on a scale from 1 to 10. Repeated high numbers resulted in a visit to the doctor’s office and the discovery of a blood clot in his left leg, and the need for more medication. These days, Nghia gets around with the aid of a cane. Initially, he was upset at the thought of using a crutch of any type to help with walking; now it seems to lend a semblance of authority to his stride, as well as an occasional extension to his arm. When necessary, a wheelchair is pressed into service to the welcomed relief of tired, painful legs.
For Hanh and Nghia this is an especially difficult time. She worries about being left alone and he worries about leaving her alone. They sometimes bicker about this, Nghia telling his wife that she better find another man because he will not be here for her much longer, which, of course, only upsets her. In the early stages of Nghia’s treatment, Hanh insisted that she would die before her husband. She was certain that he would survive just as he had survived his wounds during the Vietnam War; now realizing that this is no longer likely, her mind struggles to deal with the implications and at times she is reduced to quiet tears. To watch her coddle him at home is to be reminded of how deep and strong their love for each other remains. While her movements around him have certainly changed since the onset of cancer and in response to his own changing needs, they come across as the same unconscious expressions of affection that exist between two people who have been together for many years.
Cancer changes how family and friends interact with the cancer patient. This is as much a side effect of cancer as the visible degradation of the body. Often there is confusion or befuddlement that expresses itself as pity, which has a demoralizing effect, likely to upset the patient. It can be difficult, even for adults, to speak freely with someone they know to be dying. How does one pick up the thread of an ongoing conversation and then leave it dangling, expecting to pick it up again on the next visit? How does one say good-bye at the close of each visit, thinking they may not get the chance between now and next time? Visitors and family alike should ask questions about the process, the treatment, the doctors, or tell stories about the past, talk of current events, news, or how common friends are getting along, and determine from the response which questions the patient is more comfortable answering and follow that line of conversation. Above all, it is important to respect the dignity of the patient.
For Shawn and Julie, the two grandchildren living at home, who probably have always thought of their grandfather as a household fixture, overt expressions typically take the form of physical gestures. Shawn will help his grandfather, or spend time with him when no one else is available, but there is very little substantive communication. In fact, his grandfather’s illness seems to have had little impact on his life. At 18, he is at that age when spending time with friends, in particular, a girlfriend, is more important than enjoying some of the precious time his grandfather has left. No doubt he will feel a certain amount of sadness, but he is also matter-of-fact about the possibility of his grandfather dying soon.
Julie hugs her grandfather in a way that appears genuinely natural and unpremeditated, which must be comforting for both, but she too finds it impossible to talk to him. There are obvious questions that all children should be asking their elders. If a child is not precocious enough to participate in this kind of open dialog, one that grows more intimate over time, it will only become harder as the child gets older to express affection. Despite growing up in her grandfather’s house, Julie cannot find that level of comfort to speak freely to him about her feelings. She can articulate these feelings in a general way to others when asked, but like Shawn, she finds it easier to avoid the issue rather than confront it.
There are times when Nghia appears to fall asleep and discussions spring up around him with the airing of emotions too sensitive to express to him directly. The frustration of being unable to say, for uncertain reasons, the genuine feelings in the heart, forces open a valve. Whether he hears any of this venting is unknown, but if so, how is it being processed? It is quite likely that he understands their frustrations and accepts the expressions of affection that he receives from them, knowing a greater, unspoken meaning lies behind them.
Phuong, a daughter living at home and mother of Shawn and Julie, has been dependent, for many years, on the generosity and support of her parents. She loves her father, but is dealing with this family crisis by distancing herself from the center of activity. For her, it is comforting to cry a little every day. Unlike Julie, Phuong shuns physical contact, and like both her children, she never openly expresses her feelings, preferring to keep the hurt inside. While she says silly things to give the impression of being insensible or dimwitted, she may be the most perceptive observer of her father’s own reaction to his cancer. Despite being marginally cognizant of the discourse, she listens and observes, and may be processing more than the active participants who are focused on particular issues and immediate concerns. She believes her father knows that he cannot beat death this time and that he would prefer to manage the remainder of his life in a way that would minimize the trauma of his death on his family. She understands that he cannot give up without a fight, that he will not abandon his family without a struggle. For this reason he moves forward, pushing onward like a soldier. Ultimately, it is the impending changes that worry her more than anything else. She is aware that her father’s death will likely have a greater impact on her life than on any of the other family members.
Hiep the second son here in the U.S. is married with his wife Linda and daughter Maddie. He represents the good son who holds a good job, raise a good family and is up there living the American dream. He is busy so guilt does set in sometime. He is trying his best when he has time off to help dad cut the lawn and help take mom to the big Costco store. There were many time he fight with his wife for time with his dad family and it make it hard for the family to have dealing with the in-laws.
Nam is the baby of the family and he is represent as the other son who has stray and has disappoint the family many time. He gets in to trouble a lot with the law and with financial. Among the family Thuy his sister has put her townhouse up for bond to bail him out before and has loss a Honda vehicle which she helps paid for and then the police confiscated because of drug. Still till the end on Mother’s day he fights with his parent and did not drive them down to celebrate Hiep birthday and Mother’s day in Leesburg.
He is an angry young man-- maybe because of a loss in 1990 of his brother Si who die in a drowning accident at . He has never been the same since. In life there are separations that should prepare us for the parting of loved ones through death. Painful as these separations often are at the time, life continues, sometimes better and sometimes worse than what came before. Nam still plays in a band and seems to cares more about his friends than to spend time with his dying father.
. The idea of death represents a release for both patient and loved ones. It represents the end of obligation, of certain tasks that caregivers have difficulty performing, finding it futile to prevent the body from surrendering completely to the disease consuming it. More importantly, it brings to a close the patient’s suffering. The decision to skip or suspend treatments rests with the patient and should be based on an honest prognosis. Once this decision is reached, it should be respected.
In death there is no going back; every opportunity one thought one would always have to ask or answer is now lost. There will no longer be occasions for hugs, handshakes, or kisses, no more smiles, laughter, or other expressions of endearment. Death robs us of our time with family and friends. Cancer frequently puts patient and family on the fast track, stealing time from them by forcing them to confront the disease, and when it is too late for anything more, leaving them to witness the painful end.
The loss of a loved one leaves painful emotions that linger long after the patient has departed. There will always be reminders, whether physical objects or memories, which keep the deceased in our thoughts. Remaining in the family home can be as painful as it is comforting. It may take a strong constitution to be surrounded by the tangible evidence of the departed, with daily reminders of their absence everywhere. Touching familiar objects is a way of connecting, a way of not letting go. To live everyday in a reverie of the past is to rob the sufferer of the future and of any hope for healing. Nghia may have had this in mind when he decided to sell the house that the Dong family has called home for the past 17 years. Lost will be the comfort of familiar surroundings, the gardens where Hanh grew Vietnamese vegetables that she sold to the local Vietnamese community, a thriving business that helped supplement her husband’s income, and the network of friends who will now have to travel greater distances to visit the family. This secondary loss will force additional radical changes on some members of the family.
Each member of Nghia Dong’s family is confronting his cancer differently; each realizing that this crisis will dramatically change their lives in ways they had not anticipated. Whether out of complacency or simply by being involved with life, no one was prepared for this. In fact, people rarely are. To lose the hub of a wheel leaves the spokes unsecured and at risk of falling out. The wheel, losing its structural support, will collapse. The Dong family may be too busy at this stage of Nghia’s treatment to be thinking about what will happen after he is gone. Even though the spokes fall out, they will manage to hold the family together as a way of honoring Nghia Dong’s memory.
by Woody Woodis
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.
.
