Vietnam Fire Support Base Coral & Balmoral 50 th Anniversary Tour Wednesday 23 May 2018 AUSTRALIA - HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) (D) Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, the locals still refer to it as Saigon; after passing through customs you are met by your local guide and driver who will transfer you to your central city hotel. The remainder of your day is at rest to recover from your flight. This evening there is a group welcome dinner to meet with your fellow travelllers. Day 2 Thursday 24 May SAIGON CITY TOUR (B) Commencing your tour of this large and chaotic former capital you visit some of the city s landmarks, which include the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, built by the French in1877, former Presidential Palace, War Remnants Museum and Saigon s China Town, Cholon. (During the American War Cholon was a thriving black market for US soldiers trading in American Army issue supplies.) You complete your tour with a visit to the 40 th floor of the Bitexco Tower for commanding views of the city surrounds. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure to relax by the pool, continue your sightseeing or perhaps visit the markets for some local shopping. Day 3 Friday 25 May CU CHI TUNNELS SAIGON (B L) Todays travels take you to Cu Chi and the former underground VC village of Ben Duoc. Built by local fighters, the Viet Minh during the Indochina conflict and completed during the American War. The tunnels were an immense connecting network that stretched over 200km and penetrated three levels deep. They included, hospitals, schools, meeting rooms, kitchens, and sleeping quarters. After watching a video filmed by the Vietnamese during the American war, you explore the bombed cratered landscape, ingenious booby traps, a narrow tunnel opening and the widened tourist tunnel systems. After lunch alongside the picturesque river you return to Saigon.
Day 4 Saturday 26 May FSB CORAL & BALMORAL SAIGON (B L) Today you commemorate the 50 th anniversary of the battles at Coral and Balmoral and pay your respects to all those who fought and lost their lives in the ensuing battles. Your travels take you north to the former Fire Support Base sites of Coral and Balmoral. This area was the location of savage fighting between the Australians and the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong, from the 12 th May to the 6 th June 1968. On the 12 th and 13 th May and again on the 16 th May FSB Coral was attacked by NVA and Viet Cong forces and on the 26 th May and 28 th May FSB Balmoral was attacked by NVA and Viet Cong forces. Today both areas are rubber plantations and the central areas of both Fire Support Bases are marked by various memorials to the Vietnamese dead, may they RIP.. Day 5 Sunday 27 May MEKONG DELTA SAIGON (B L) This morning you travel south to the Mekong Delta where you board our private boat for a cruise along the Mekong River to learn about the traditional lifestyles, culture and customs of those who call the Delta home. You visit a fish farm, sample tropical fruit on one of the many islands and learn how they make coconut candy. Lunch is in a traditional restaurant and you return to Saigon mid-afternoon.. Day 6 Monday 28 May VUNG TAU (B L) Please have your luggage in the foyer by 6.15 am, and be ready to depart by 7.20am. You then board a hydrofoil for a scenic cruise southeast along the Saigon River to the South China sea, disembarking in Vung Tau. Our waiting bus will then take you on a tour of this popular and fast growing seaside resort, which bears little resemblance to its war time past. You visit the White Villa, the area known as Flags, "Back Beach" and the VC Memorial located where Headquarters 1 ALSG once stood. After lunch you board a cable car for a scenic ride to the top of the "Big Hill" which was formerly known as Radar Hill, for a panoramic view of Vung Tau and its beaches. The remainder of your day is free to laze by the pool, or continue your sightseeing. Overnight Vung Tau Day 7 Tuesday 29 May BARIA LONG HAIS VUNG TAU (B L) After visiting the fishing village along the sea front, you travel northeast to the township of Baria, for a shortb stop at the markets. You then travel through the village of Long Hai and along the South China Sea coast to the Long Hais and Minh Dam Secret Zone. After visiting the local VC Memorial, you make your way up to the Buddist Pagoda for spectacular views of the surrounding area. Lunch is at the Tropicana Hotel. On your return to Vung Tau, you pass through Lang Phuoc Hai and the area of the illfated Australian mine field. Overnight Vung Tau
Day 8 Wednesday 30 May NUI DAT- LONG TAN HORSESHOE DAT DO (B L) Boxed picnic lunch After breakfast you travel north to the site of the former 1st Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat. Whilst few remnants remain of the Base, time is allowed to explore the area and to visit the school located at the end of what was Luscombe Airstrip. Next you travel to the Long Tan Battlefield and the Long Tan Cross, before stopping near the Horseshoe to view the exterior of this former combat base, which was mined many years ago. From the Horseshoe your journey takes you to Dat Do, through the village of Anh Nhut before passing through Long Dien. Overnight Vung Tau Day 9 Thursday 31 May BINH BA SAIGON (B D) After breakfast you make your way back to Saigon via the village of Binh Ba. A refreshment stop is made along the way and you should be back in the city of Saigon by lunch time. The remainder of your day is free to shop or perhaps have a relaxing massage, you will leave the salon with a new spring in your step ready to continue your travels.this evening there is a farewell dinner to say goodbye to those travellers not heading north. Day 10 Friday 1 June SAIGON - AUSTRALIA (B) For those not travelling north, your tour program comes to and end. Thank you for travelling with us and we wish you a safe onward passage. Your guide will arrange for your transfer to the airport to connect with your onward flight. CONTINUATION OF TOUR Day 10 Friday 1 June DANANG - HOI AN (B) After breakfast you transfer to the Airport for your flight north to Danang, which is located in central Vietnam. On arrival you board our private bus for the short drive south to the former spice trading port of Hoi An, which still retains the feel of centuries past and is a Unesco World Heritage site. After booking into your hotel and freshening up you begin a walking tour along the narrow cobbled streets to visit the local market, cross the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge, visit antique wooden buildings, temples, galleries and tailor shops. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to relax around the pool or continue your sightseeing. This evening we recommend that you dine out in one of the many river side restaurants. Overnight Hoi An
Day 11 Saturday 2 June HOI AN - DANANG (B L) Todays drive north takes you to to Danang, Vietnam s 4 th largest city. First stop is the unique Marble Mountains, with its 5 peaks that symbolize the 5 essential elements, metal, wood, water, fire and earth. Providing the weather and your fitness allows you can at your pace climb the 156 stone steps that are carved into the mountain, you will be rewarded with magnificent views of China Beach and the surrounding areas. Those not so energetic can take the lift or visit one of the many marble factories to watch the workers create statues of all types and sizes, all are available for sale. After lunch you tour this sea port city and visit the original China Beach. Danang was home to the greatest concentration of US military personnel during the Vietnam War. On your return to Hoi An, your time is free. At small expense a cruise on the Thu Bon River followed by dinner is a nice way to end the day.overnight Hoi An Day 12 Sunday 3 June HOI AN DANANG - LANG CO BEACH HUE (B L) Mid-morning you farewell Hoi An and travel north across the stunning Hai Van Pass, stopping at Lang Co Beach for lunch. Continuing your travels north you arrive in the former capital of Hue mid-afternoon. The Imperial City of Hue is straddled by the Perfume River and was the capital of Vietnam during the reign of the Nguyen dynasty, the last dynasty in Vietnam. After booking into your hotel your time is at leisure to explore this historical city. Overnight Hue Day 13 Monday 4 June HUE CITY TOUR (B L) This morning you board a Dragon boat for a scenic cruise along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. On your return to Hue you visit the ancient Citadel, which is situated on the northern bank of the Perfume River. The Royal complex is a world heritage site and is a remarkable piece of architecture, square in shape, 10 km in circumference, 6 m high and 21 m thick with 10 entrances and 24 watch towers. After lunch in a local restaurant you visit the Ho Quyen Arena which was built in1830 to house gladiator style fights between the revered and worshipped elephants and the feared tigers. The tigers were tethered with their claws removed and their teeth filed down. The fighting was for the benefit of the Royal Family and other high ranking guests. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure to relax by the pool, continue your sightseeing or do some shopping in the local market. Overnight Hue Day 14 Tuesday 5 June DEMILITARISED ZONE (DMZ) (B L) Picnic Lunch Departing early, you travel north to the former Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) which was established as a dividing line between North and South Vietnam as a result of the first Indochina War. Included in today s visit is Quang Tri and the remains of Long Hung church, the Ben Hai river and the Hien Luong bridge which marks the former border between North and South Vietnam, the Vinh Moc tunnels, which were three levels deep and home to approximately 60 families between 1966 and 1972, Camp Carrol, the largest American fire base below the DMZ, The Rockpile, which was only accessible by helicopter and was an American observation post, Dak Rong bridge, which was the starting point of of Highway 15, one of the main branches of the Ho Chi Minh trail, which leads to the A Shau valley and Hamburger Hill and the Khe Sanh Combat Base. You return to Hue late afternoon.
An option for those not wanting to do this tour is a fun hands on cooking class in an ancient house for a cost of $100 per person which includes the ingredients collected at the colourful market to make your speciality Vietnamese dishes which you share later over lunch. Participation is to be confirmed when booking. Overnight Hue Day 15 Wednesday 6 June HUE HANOI (B) This morning you transfer to the airport for your flight north to Vietnams capital Hanoi, a charming ancient city with tree lined boulevards, a blend of French, Chinese and Vietnamese architecture, lakes and Pagodas. After booking into your central hotel and freshening up you begin your tour of the city with a fun ride on a Cyclo along the broad streets and around the outskirts of the 13 th century Old Quarter. The lively Old Quarter comprises 36 streets packed with shops selling all kinds of goods, each street named for its primary products sold and where for centuries peddlers traded their wares.you complete the day with a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Overnight Hanoi Day 16 Thursday 7 June HANOI (B) Continuing your tour of Hanoi you visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house, One Pillar Pagoda; the Presidential Palace, the Temple of Literature, the Army museum and the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton by the American POW s. The remainder of your. day is at leisure for shopping, sightseeing, or relaxing around the pool. Overnight Hanoi Day 17 Friday 8 June HALONG BAY (B L D) This morning you drive east to the Unesco World Heritage Site, Halong Bay. On arrival you board a deluxe traditional Vietnamese Junk and and take in the views as she cruises as she cruises this natural wonderland of jutting limestone islands, rock formations and caves. After lunch you disembark the junk to visit Thien Cung cave Heavenly Palace cave before visiting the Vung Vieng floating fishing village. The Junk will then stop alongside one of the private sheltered Islands allowing you to swim from its white sandy beach. (weather permitting) This evening the Junk will anchor in the calm waters of Tonkin Bay whilst you enjoy dinner and local music before retiring to your cabin. Day 18 Saturday 9 June HALONG CITY-HANOI (B L D) Why not rise early and watch the sunrise over the majestic Islands and then join the crew for some Tai Chi on the deck of the Junk. After breakfast, you visit Titop Island, with its pristine white beach, ideal for swimmers, the more adventurous can climb the 427 stone steps to the mountain top Pagoda where you will be rewarded with spectacular views over the bay. On your return to the junk you can shower and then take in the magnificent scenery as the junk makes its return to Halong Bay. After disembarking you lunch and then make your way back to Hanoi. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure to make the most of your last full day in Vietnam. This evening there is a dinner to farewell your fellow travellers. Overnight Hanoi
Day 19 Sunday 10 June HANOI - AUSTRALIA (B) This morning your tour program comes to an end and we thank you for travelling with us and wish you a safe onward journey. Your guide will organize your transgfer to the Airport to connec t with your onward flight. NB: (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner Please note that the itinerary is subject to change. A medium level of fitness is required to join this tour and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Price: $2800 per person twin share 10 days south only $ 750 single sup Pricing for tour plus extension: $4200 per person twin share 19 days south and north $1100 single sup Tour Includes Domestic flights within Vietnam as per itinerary Accommodation at 4 & 5 star hotels All sightseeing as per itinerary Lunches and Dinner as per the itinerary Private A/C Modern Bus with cold bottled water and face towels whilst travelling Private boats where indicated Australian Vietnam Veteran war historian Local English speaking guide All entrance fees and permits. Gratuities to local guides Battle Tours information kit, quality polo shirt, cap or bucket hat Not Included International flights Airport transfers out of tour dates Vietnam Visa Travel Insurance Personal expenses including phone calls and laundry Options for those not wanting to do the DMZ Tour (to be confirmed on booking)