Vietnam War
About the tour: Vietnam War
Tour Introduction
Delve deep into the history of the Vietnam War, as we explore some of Vietnam’s most famous regions, seeing stunning scenery and discussing the impact that the 19 year war had on the country. We begin in Hanoi and journey through to Ho Chi Minh city, visiting places such as ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An and Dien Bien Phu along the way. We discuss topics such as the First Indochina battle and the My Lai massacre and visit battlefields sites including Red Beach 2, the battle site of Ap Bac and the Vinh Moc Tunnels. Visits to cemeteries and museums further add to the experience and allow us to envision what the men fighting here went through during the 19 year, Vietnam War.
Tour Includes
- 12 nights hotel
- 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 2 dinners
- 1 night on board a junk in Ha Long
- Flights to Hanoi and from Ho Chi Minh City with one checked-in suitcase
- Domestic flights
- Airport transfers in Vietnam
- Air-conditioned coach travel
- Local English speaking guide
- Fully escorted in Vietnam with a specialist Historical Guide
- Entrance fees for all sightseeing tours as specified in the itinerary
We offer flexible payment options
Once you have booked your battlefield tour either online, or by telephone (), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can -
- Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
- Send payments via online banking.
- Send payments via cheque.
- Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.
Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.
Tour Itinerary
For customers living outside of the UK, if you want to make a booking you will need to provide a UK postcode on our online booking system. If you are not able to provide a relevant UK postcode then you can enter the postcode for London Victoria Coach Station – SW1W 9TP. You should then be able to proceed to complete your booking.
If you do encounter a problem then you can speak to one of our friendly advisors who will be happy to help.
Please Note : After completing your booking, a member of our Customer Service team will be in touch to make sure everything is okay.
Either e-mail our Reservations Department or call on 01709 830 333 and they will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
Day 1
Fly to Hanoi.
Day 2 - Arrive Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, we have the option of joining an orientation cycle ride around Hanoi Old Quarter and then walk along the Long Bien Bridge which was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War or spend the afternoon at leisure in Hanoi.
Vietnam Fighter Plane (2)
Key Visits
- Hanoi
Day 3 - Hanoi
A full day to explore Hanoi’s illustrious history. In the morning, we visit the imposing marble edifice housing the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, his wooden stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. We explore the Military Operation Bunker (General Command Headquarter) and the D67 bunker – also called the Central Military Commission Bunker inside the Hanoi Citadel. In the afternoon, we visit the 'Hanoi Hilton', nick name of the Hanoi prison where American pilots were kept during the war. We continue on to sites related to the December 1972 B-52 bombing of Hanoi: the Kham Thien Street and the B-52 Memorial Lake, stopping by the Downed Aircraft Memorial commemorating McCain’s shoot-down and capture.
Included meals: Breakfast
B52 Remains in Hanoi (3)
Key Visits
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Military Operations Bunker
- D67 Bunker
- Hanoi Prison
- Kham Thien Street
- B-52 Memorial Lake
Day 4 - Dien Bien Phu
Transfer to Noi Bai airport for our flight to Dien Bien Phu where the last battle of the First Indochina War took place in 1954.Upon arrival and transfer to your hotel we take an afternoon visit to the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum where photographs, war documents, weaponry and other items are displayed.
We continue to the Dien Bien Phu War Cemetery and the French soldier war memorial before exploring the local central market (time permitting).
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Dien Bien Phu War Cemetery (2)
Key Visits
- Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum
- Dien Bien Phu War Cemetery
- French Soldier War Memorial
Day 5 - Muong Phang Headquarters, Christian de Castries’ Bunker
This morning we visit Muong Phang, the headquarters of Dien Bien Phu campaign.We explore the tunnel network and bunker system used by General Vo Nguyen Giap before visiting Dien Bien City and hills where former bases of the French army are located. We visit the bunker of the French commander Colonel Christian de Castries before returning to our hotel.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recovered French trenches in Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam. DBP is a city in northwestern Vietnam, best known for the battle during the First Indochina War. (1)
Key Visits
- Muong Phang
- French commander Bunker
Day 6 - Dien Bien Phu
We start our morning with a visit to the former French fortified hills where fierce fighting took place, such as Him Lam Hill (Beatrice), Doc Lap Hill (Gabrielle) and A1 Hill (Eliane 2), before our return flight to Hanoi and an overnight stay.
Included meals: Breakfast
Old tanks in Dien Bien Phu (2)
Key Visits
- Old tanks in Dien Bien Phu
Day 7 - Ha Long Bay
We travel through green rice paddy fields to Ha Long Bay where we board a cruise that takes us amongst the hundreds of islets of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. We enjoy lunch and drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks rising out of the sea. (Please note, today's itinerary is subject to change without prior notice by the cruise operator).
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Beautiful sea landscape in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. (2)
Key Visits
- Ha Long Bay
Day 8 - Ha Long Bay Boat Cruise - Dong Hoi
We spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay before returning to the wharf. We transfer to Hanoi airport with a stop by Pha Lai Bridge for the flight to Dong Hoi. We arrive in Dong Hoi and transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Included meals: Breakfast
(2)
Key Visits
- Ha Long Bay Boat Cruise
Day 9 - Dong Hoi
This morning we visit the Khe Gat Air Strip, Eight Ladies Cave and Ho Chi Minh trails. After lunch in Dong Hoi we travel to the fascinating Vinh Moc Tunnels which villagers constructed to escape from frequent bombings. Continue to the then Hien Luong Bridge which, for many years served as a symbol of the divided nation before arriving in Dong Ha for an overnight stay.
Included meals: Breakfast
Ho Chi Minh Trails (2)
Key Visits
- Dong Hoi
- Khe Gat Air Strip
- Eigth Ladies Cave
- Ho Chi Minh Trails
Day 10 - Hue, DMZ
After breakfast, we drive to Hue visiting some significant war sites around the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Proceed to visit the Con Tien Base and the Dakrong Bridge which was on the former Ho Chi Minh trail before visiting the former US Marine Base at Khe Sanh. Our next stop is Quang Tri Citadel, which changed hands several times, before seeing the Highway of Terror and Bo De School. We continue to Hue and to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Included meals: Breakfast
US Marine Base at Khe Sanh (5)
Key Visits
- Hue Citadel
- Hien Luong Bridge
- US Marine Base at Khe Sanh
- Hue
Day 11 - Hoi An
This morning we take a boat cruise on the peaceful Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, then visit the Imperial Citadel. In the 1968 TET offensive, Hue was considered as the bloodiest battle place. Continue to Hoi An via the Red Beach 2 (where the US marines official landed, beginning America’s military role in Vietnam, crossing the line from advice and assist to warfare) and My Khe Beach (known as China Beach for GI’s R&R). Arrive in Hoi An and our hotel. The remainder of the day is free.
Included meals: Breakfast
Thien Mu Pagoda (4)
Key Visits
- Hoi An
- My Khe beach
- Thien Mu Pagoda
Day 12 - My Lai Massacre
Drive south towards the former Chu Lai air base with stops at the Nui Thanh battle memorial. Continue to visit the site of My Lai massacre before driving back to Hoi An where highlights include an ancient merchant house, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the vibrant riverside market. Afterwards, enjoy free time to further explore the old town.
Included meals: Breakfast
Gate of Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Hoi An, Vietnam (1)
Key Visits
- Nui Thanh Battle Memorial
- My Lai Massacre
Day 13 - Saigon
We take the early morning flight from Danang to Saigon. Arrive in Saigon and drive to Cu Chi, where we will walk through the jungle area in Ben Duoc, known as 'the Mushroom' to US soldiers. Here we will have a chance to learn how Cu Chi guerilla fighters survived and resisted during the Indochina and Vietnam War. Try some of the tubers and tea that many tunnel-dwellers lived on After the tour, we transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City, making stops en route to view rice paddies and rubber plantations to learn about some of the agricultural products of Vietnam. We return to our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City with a chance to visit Reunification Palace.
Included meals: Breakfast
Ch Chi Tunnels (2)
Key Visits
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 14 - Ap Bac Battle Site, Boat Cruise, Mekong Delta
We depart for the Mekong Delta. We start our visit with the major battle site of Ap Bac then arrive in My Tho, once famous for the US Brown Water Navy. Here we enjoy a boat cruise along the river and take a short walk to a handicraft workshop where products are made from coconut trees. We visit a local house where we enjoy tea and taste home grown fruits. After lunch, we return to Ho Chi Minh City and visit the Secret Ammunitions Bunker and War Museum, before an hour talk with a Vietnam War Veteran (subject to availability).
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Viet Cong Tank (2)
Key Visits
- My Tho Boat Cruise
- Ap Bac Battle site
- War Museum
Day 15
Morning at leisure before transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your overnight flight to the U.K.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 16
Arrival in the U.K.
Specialist Battlefield Guides
All of Leger’s battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line.
Please note: On certain tours, you may get tour guides other that the ones listed below.
Hotel
If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.
No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.
All hotel rooms benefit from private bathroom facilities.
Some hotels have tea and coffee making facilities. Please check the tour pages for more information or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333
Most hotels have a lift, please call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 for more information.
Some hotels have ground floor rooms. Please email for information on individual hotels or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.
Your hotels will supply towels in your room.
We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.
We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.
You will stay at hotels detailed, or similar:
Silk Path Hotel Hanoi, Hanoi (2 nights)
Muong Thanh Holiday Dien Bien Phu Hotel, Dien Bien Phu (2 nights)
Silk Path Hotel Hanoi, Hanoi (1 night)
Junk Boat (1 night)
Sun Spa Resort & Villa, Dong Hoi (1 night)
Sai Gon Dong Ha (1 night)
Eldora Hotel, Hue (1 night)
Boutique Hoi An Resort, Hoi An (2 nights)
Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights)
Travel Options
Departure times given for each region are approximate. Please check your travel documents to confirm the actual timings.
Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £25pp (9 days duration and over) on all European tours. In addition to this seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £15pp (9 days duration and over). This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on feeder journeys to/from the U.K. port. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law. Central view seats are free.
Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.
If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.
Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.
We guarantee that all passengers on the same booking will be seated together on the main tour coach. Seats on the transfer coaches to and from the U.K. port are not allocated.
Hot and cold drinks are served on the main tour coaches. Prices are approximately £1 or 1.25 Euro per drink. Prices will be confirmed by the driver. Drinks may also be served on the transfer coaches but this is not guaranteed.
Transfer vehicles are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure and will depend on where passengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.
With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.
All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer vehicles to and from the U.K. port may not have on-board toilets. When non-British coaches are used on transfers and tours (air holidays only) an on-board toilet may not be available. However, comfort stops will be made during long journeys.
All coaches feature air-conditioning. Should the air-conditioning system break down for a period exceeding 12 hours, compensation will be awarded up to a maximum of £10 per fare-paying passenger per tour.
Depending on the location of your pickup point, you may be picked up by coach (not necessarily the on you are touring on), minibus, taxi, National Express or Megabus service. You may then be taken to another centralised pickup location or service station. We operate a passenger interchange at Stop 24 Services, where you will meet the tour coach you are holidaying on and then continue on with your outbound journey. Similarly, on the way home, you may also change transfer vehicles at another location, to take you to your final drop off point.
One medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full. We may refuse to carry larger or heavier cases. Hand luggage can be stored in the overhead racks aboard the coach.
It could be either - This will be confirmed in your travel documents.
When it comes to getting to the Battlefields, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you choose from.
Travel Extras
With an overnight stay, a Door-to-Door pick up or the option to meet us at the interchange, our travel extras allow you to create a travel experience to suit your needs...
Join coach at Interchange
+ Find out moreJoin your tour coach at the interchange.
On most tours if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.
Excludes tours to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.
Door-to-Door service
+ Find out moreOn Battlefield tours of 7 days’ duration or more, you don’t even have to think about getting to your local joining point. Our Door-to-Door Service collects you from your home and takes you to meet your transfer vehicile, then brings you back at the end of the holiday. Door-to-Door Service is available within a 20-mile radius of one of our free joining points and is from £90 per car, return (up to 4 passengers per vehicle).
If you live a little further afield, you can also take advantage of this convenient option for an additional charge – please enquire at the time of booking.
