This two day tour covers the two famous battlegrounds of the I Corps, South Vietnam; A Shau Valley and the DMZ where most of bloody actions of Vietnam War took place during the Vietnam War. This tour is designed for those who are interested in the military history of Vietnam conflict. We will walk on the ground that the Screaming Eagles charging up Hamburger Hill, follow the Marines holding out in the siege of Khe Sanh and walk into the ground where the Vietnamese lived for years under Rolling Thunder bombing.
Hamburger Hill tour from Hue - DMZ tour from Hue
Hamburger Hill tour from Hue - DMZ tour from Hue
Day 1: Hue - Hamburger Hill - Khe Sanh
Hamburger Hill in 1969
We meet you up at your hotel in Hue at 8.00am then, head west along route 547 to the A Shau Valley - one of the strategic focal points of Vietnam War. Located in western Hue city, the narrow 35km 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 its strategic location, the Ashau valley became a major battle ground from the earliest days of the U.S involvement in South Vietnam. En route, we briefly visit the the three important firebases of the US Army the 101st Airborne Division including Birmingham, Checkmate, Bastogne and Veghel.A NVA tuunel on the crest of Ap Bia mountain After that, keep following a long route 547 to the valley. On arrival in the valley, have a coffee break at a commanding high ground in the A Luoi town where we can see the overrall view of the HamburgerHill. Then, keep driving another 10 km west for the Hamburger Hill. The battle of Hamburger Hill is the last large-scale engagement between the regular forces of the opposing sides. During Operation Apache Snow on May 10, 1969, the 3rd Battalion, 187th Regiment made contact with an unknown NVA unit on Hill 937, which led to ten days of fierce fighting. Three battalions of the 101st Airborne Division tried to push an NVA regiment off the hill. Heavy thunderstorm and difficult terrain as well as strong enemy resistance made the battle truly fierce and difficult. The 101st Airborne Div paid a costly price to take the hill, 56 killed and another 420 wounded.The battle became so publicly critisized due to the heavy casualties and the determination securing the hill but it was abandoned three weeks later. Due to the severity of the fighting, Hill 937 was dubbed Hamburger Hill. The hiking takes about 3 hours in total, from the bottom to the sumit where we will stroll around the hilltop before walking down the northwestern ridge trail where the men from Bravo company & Delta company of the 3rd battalion, 187 Regiment came up, and back down the hill for a well-hidden tunnel of the NVA on the crest of the mountain. Then, we drive north along route 548 through the scenic country to Khe Sanh town. En - route we stop off for photos at the Marines firebses established during the Operation Dewey Canyon including Bradley firebase and Cunningham firebase and Shepherd firebase.
Overnight at Khe Sanh town. Day 2: Khe Sanh - the DMZ - Vinh Moc tunnel - Hue
8.00am start the day tour visiting the DMZ area. The first stop is Langvei SepacialForcesCamp near the Laotian border which was attacked by the North Vietnamsese Army tanks - the first time the NVA used an amor unit in combat. The major site of our trip today isKheSanh Combat Base - a largeAerial view of Khe Sanh combat base in 1968 Marines base camp which was beseied by a massive forces of the North Vietnamese Army in 77 days in early 1968, where we will spend ample time strolling the base camp area and learning about the history of the siege.
Then, head down route 9 to the coast. Stop enroute to visit the Rockpile ( or also known as Elliot combat base ) - an importan observation post & firebase of the Marines south of the DMZ. We will view the old tactical area where the Marines fought in the famous operations Hastings and Prairie during 1966-1967. After that drive back to Dong Ha for lunch break. Then,head north to the former Demilitarized Zone (the DMZ). We briefly stop at the southern edge of the DMZ to visit Gio Linh ( Alpha 2)- an important firebase of the anti-infiltration McNamara Line. After this, we drive into the former DMZ to visit the former border crossing between North and South Vietnam from 1954 to 1972; the Freedom Bridge over the Ben Hai River. We will visit the DMZ museum and take a walk on this historic bridge. Then we head to the coast for the last stop of the day;Vinh Moc Tunnels- an underground refuge of Vinh Moc tunnelsthe fishing village of Vinh Moc, located above the DMZ. In early 1965, the U.S began a massive bombing campain against North Vietnam with the code name " Rolling Thunder ". The area above the DMZ became the most heavily bombed single piece of land on earth. Unable to live on the ground, the local inhabitants had to dig and move their homes into the ground. Vinh Moc tunnels is the best example of the tunnels system in the DMZ area. We visit the museum then walk underground, starting with an entrance on top of the clay cliff and finishing with an exit overlooking a wild beach.
We will have a scenic drive along the coastline back to Quang Tri city before joining the Highway 1 to return to Hue.
Hamburger Hill tour from Hue - DMZ tour from Hue Price: $350
The price quoted is for 1-2 person(s). First extra person: $90, further extra person: $60
Included features:
• Private transfer ( 7 seater SUV cars or 15 seater minivans )
• English speaking guide.
• Entrance & permit fee for all sites.
• One night accommodation at Khanh Phuong Luxury ( 3 star hotel ) at Khe Sanh based on double or twin sharing. Excluded features:
• Meals
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