Vietnam War Historical Sites North to South Itinerary 11 Days

Arrive in Ha Noi and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Begin your morning at the imposing marble Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed Mondays & Fridays), followed by a visit to his modest wooden stilt house and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the B52 Victory Museum and wander through the narrow alleys surrounding B52 Lake, before exploring the historic D67 Bunker — the former headquarters of the Central Military Commission inside the Hanoi Citadel (closed Mondays). Enjoy a cozy lunch at a local restaurant decorated in the nostalgic style of the subsidy period, offering a glimpse into daily life in Vietnam during the post-war years.

In the afternoon, visit Hoa Lo Prison, famously nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton,” where American pilots were once detained during the war. Conclude the day with a drive to Kham Thien Street and the B-52 Memorial Lake, significant sites connected to the December 1972 bombing, before returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Drive through the lush green rice fields of northern Vietnam to the breathtaking Ha Long Bay. Board a traditional junk cruise and sail among hundreds of limestone islands while enjoying lunch on board. Nearby lies the Gulf of Tonkin, historically associated with the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, a key event that escalated the Vietnam War. In the evening, anchor overnight amidst the bay’s majestic limestone karsts rising dramatically from the emerald waters.

Overnight on a junk.

Spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay before returning to the wharf. Transfer back to Ha Noi via the rebuilt city of Hai Phong which was subjected to heavy bombing by US Navy and Air Force strike aircraft because it was North Vietnam’s only major port. Transfer to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Hue City. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hue City.

Begin your day with a scenic dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest and most iconic pagoda in Hue. Continue to the Imperial Citadel, the former political and cultural centre of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam’s last royal dynasty. Explore the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, home to a remarkable collection of royal artifacts and ornaments from the Nguyen era. Later, visit Dong Ba Market to experience the vibrant daily life of residents.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Hue cuisine. In the afternoon, visit Khai Dinh King’s Tomb, famous for its distinctive blend of Eastern traditions and Western architectural influences. Continue to Tu Duc King’s Tomb, admired for its harmonious layout, elegant symmetry, and tranquil natural setting. Conclude the tour with a visit to a traditional conical hat and incense-making village, where you can learn about Hue’s long-standing handicraft heritage. Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Hue City.

Your guide and private vehicle will pick you up from your hotel in central Hue for a scenic drive to Dong Ha Town. Along the way, stop to visit Dakrong Bridge and the remains of a historic church, and gain insight into the daily life and culture of the Pa Co ethnic minority people in central Vietnam. The journey continues to the former Khe Sanh Combat Base, a key site of the Vietnam War. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, explore the most important DMZ historical sites, including Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River, the former Doc Mieu Base, and the impressive Vinh Moc Tunnels, where local villagers once lived underground to survive intense bombing. A visit to the Vinh Moc Tunnels Museum provides further historical context and moving wartime stories. Transfer to Dong Hoi City in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Dong Hoi City.

Start your day by travelling on Victory Road 20 (Formerly the Ho Chi Minh Trail). The highlights of the day will be continued with a visit to Paradise Cave (Hang Thien Duong) which is the longest cave in South East Asia (31km) with astonishing stalactites and stalagmites. Leave the Paradise Cave for the afternoon Dark Cave visit. Drive to visit the old runway Khe Gat which was built secretly during the war before returning to Hue.

Overnight in Hue.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to a hotel and the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the city.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

A testament to the tenacity of the Vietnamese people, the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels are a labyrinth of narrow passages used as hideouts during the war. Located approximately 40km northwest of Sai Gon, you will explore sections of the extensive network that served as an underground city in the not-too-distant past.

Afternoon, walking tour to the City Hall area where surrounded by many war-related buildings like the Rex Hotel (home of the Five O’ Clock Follies), the Caravelle Hotel, the Continental Hotel, and the Opera House (formerly the South Viet Nam Senate). Walk towards the grounds of the former US Embassy; one of the targets of the communist commandoes during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Pass by the Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office and continue your walk to visit the former Presidential Palace and the War remnants museum. Walk back to your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Cruise by luxury speedboat from Ho Chi Minh City into the serene waterways of the Mekong Delta, leaving the urban bustle behind. Experience authentic local life through visits to a lively market and riverside temple, followed by cultural activities including traditional folk music, a sampan canal ride, and village exploration by “tuk tuk”. Conclude the journey with a Vietnamese riverside lunch featuring regional specialties such as the iconic elephant ear fish before returning to Ho Chi Minh City by speedboat.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Free at leisure until your flight departure.