This day trip focuses the infamous Hamburger Hill and some other Screaming Eales ( The US Army 101st Airborne Division ) fire support bases along route 547. The Ashau valley is one of the strategic focal points of the Vietnam war. Located in western Hue city, the narrow 35 long valley was an arm of the Ho Chi Minh Trail funneling troops and supplies toward Hue and Danang. At the northern end of the valley was the major North Vietnamese Army (NVA) staging area known as Base Area 611. Because of this strategic location, the Ashau valley was home to many bloody battles from 1966 to 1972.
In May 1969 a bloody 10 day battle took place on this hill, located in the rugged, jungle-shrouded mountains near the Laotian border. After tough fighting the U.S 101st Airborne Division took the hill but abandoned 3 weeks later which was publicly criticized. Due to the severity of the fighting, Hill 937 was dubbed "Hamburger Hill”
We meet you up at your hotel in Hue at 8.00am the head out to the Ashau valley, one of the strategic focal points of the war in Vietnam. Located in western Hue city, the narrow 35 km long valley was an arm of the Ho Chi Minh Trail funneling troops and supplies toward Hue and Danang. At the north end of the valley was the major North Vietnamese Army (NVA) staging area known as Base Area 611. Because of its importance to the North Vietnamese plan for victory, the Ashau valley became a major battle ground from the earliest days of the U.S involvement in South Vietnam.
Stop enroute at the important fire suport bases of the 101st Airborne including Birmingham, Bastogne and Vehgel.
On arrival at the valley, drive some 20km to southern end of the valley to visit the site of the old Ashau Special Forces camp, overrun by the NVA in 1966.
After this, head to the northwestern end of the valley for the Hamburger Hill ( hill 937 or Abia mountain ) where the the last major battle between the U.S Army's 101st Airborne and the NVA troops in May 1969. The battle took place on Abia mountain or Hill 937 in the rugged, jungle-shrouded mountains near the Laotian border. After 10 day battle ( from May 10 to May 20 1969 ), the U.S 101st Airborne Division took the hill but abandoned it 3 weeks later. Due to the severity of the fighting, Hill 937 was dubbed "Hamburger Hill.
We spend about 3 hour walk on the hill; taking photos at the peak, walking down the northwestern ridge where the Rakkasans came up and exploring a well-hidden tunnel of the NVA on the hill. The tour finishes in Hue at about 5.00pm.
Price: $160
The price quoted is for 1-2 person(s). First extra person: $30, further extra person: $20 Included features: • Private transfer ( 7 seater SUV cars or 15 seater minivans )
• English speaking guide.
• Permit fee for Hamburger hill and Ashau Special Forces Camp Excluded features: • Lunch