Black Stetsons Return - "The Cav in Vietnam"
10 - 26 May 2009
TOUR HOSTS: Captain James "Mike" Sprayberry, USA (Ret) - Medal of Honor
Ms. Julie Kink - "Lil Sis"

Tour Director: LTC John Powell, 1st/9th Cav - Vietnam

11 MAY Mon - (Day 2) Arrive in Saigon in the late morning. After lunch we will take a short city tour. Hotel: Majestic (L/D)

12 MAY Tue - (Day 3) After a western style breakfast we will have an early departure for a full day of seeing the local site including the Notre Dame Cathedral, .the old Post Office, the Presidential Palace, the Army Museum and the former location of the US Embassy. We will have lunch in a local restaurant and as a final stop before returning to the hotel we will tour a lacquer factory to watch craftsmen at work. If time permits we will visit one of Saigon’s markets to shop for souvenirs. Hotel Majestic (B/L/D)

13 MAY Wed - (Day 4) This morning we check out of the hotel and head for the famous Cu Chi Tunnel system. We then continue to the Michelin Rubber Plantation, Lai Khe, Dau Tieng, and Nui Ba Den. As we end the day in Tay Ninh, we will stop to see the fabulous Cau Dai Temple. Hotel: Hoa Binh (B/L/D)

14 MAY Thur - (Day 5) After checking out an early departure as we continue to explore III Corps and the former airfields and landing zones in Tan Bien, Tan Chau and Katum. From there we proceed to An Loc through Suoi Ngo and Tan Hoa. Areas of interest along the way include LZs Carolyn, Dot, Jake and Rita. Hotel: Dong Xoai (B/L/D)

15 MAY Fri - (Day 6) Our focuses today are the sites in and near Song Be, Nui Ba Ra, and LZ Buttons. After the sites around Loc Ninh, Quan Loi, and Phuoc Vinh we proceed toward HCMC/Saigon stopping at any other missed sites. If time permits we will pass through Bien Hoa and Long Binh. We check into Saigon’s other famous hotel, the Caravelle. Hotel: Caravelle (B/L/D)

16 MAY Sat - (Day 7) We check out and catch a flight to Quy Nhon. The route up the famous Highway 19 is also remembered as a major French defeat and known as the “Death of GM 100” and the old 1st Cav HQ at An Khe. While overnighting in Pleiku we visit the old 4th Inf Div CP at Camp Enari & Holloway. Hotel: Kontum (B/L/D)

17 MAY Sun - (Day 8) A scenic drive north on Highway 14B, the Ho Chi Minh Trail. We view the natural falls and the old Special Forces Camp at Kham Duc. We wind our way eastward through the former rocket belt and the Tu Bon River basin ending up in the ancient Portuguese trading port of Hoi An. Hotel: Sandy Beach (B/L/D)

18 MAY Mon - (Day 9) Today we visit Marble Mountain and for the adventurous, we will climb to the top and see where the VC maintained a secret hospital throughout the war. We will also visit a marble carving shop before touring the ancient city of Hoi An and the many shops there. Hotel: Sandy Beach (B/L/Dinner on your own)

19 MAY Tue - (Day 10) This morning we commence touring the DaNang area to include Elephant Valley, Red Beach, Nam O, Hill 34, Dog Patch, and the old China Beach. Hotel Sandy Beach (B/L/Dinner on your own)

20 MAY Wed - (Day 11) After an early breakfast we depart Da Nang for Hue with stops at the Hai Van Pass, Lang Co and Phu Bai Airfield. We will commence a short city tour south of the Perfume River starting at the Phu Cam Canal and ending at the Hue University. Hotel: Huong Giang (B/L/D)

21 MAY Thur - (Day 12) This day we explore the north side of the Perfume River and discuss the battles for the Citadel and TT woods. We also visit the Forbidden City via the Dong Ba Gate and visit the airfield site within the Citadel. Later we take a short visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda. Hotel: Huong Giang. (B/L/Dinner on your own)

22 MAY Fri - (Day 13) After an early morning departure we drive north to the DMZ with stops at Camp Evans, and LZs Sharon and Nancy. We briefly stop in Dong Ha and then continue west along Rt 9 with stops at Camp Carroll, Khe Gia Bridge, the Rockpile, Lang Vei and the Khe Sanh combat base. Lang Vei was the scene where the NVA first used tanks against the Special Forces Camp. Hotel: Truong Son (B/L/D)

23 MAY Sat - (Day 14) An early morning check-out finds us touring Leatherneck Square starting at Cam Lo, “The Washout”, Con Thien, the Market Place, Gio Linh and the blowing of the Dong Ha Bridge. After lunch in Dong Ha we make it back to Hue arriving early afternoon. Hotel: Huong Giang (B/L/D)

24 MAY Sun - (Day 15) Early morning flight to Hanoi. We start our tour with visits to the Hoa Lo Prision, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the John McCain Monument, the Army Museum, and a stop at the Marine Barracks. Hotel: Majestic (B/L/D)

25 MAY Mon - (Day 16) After breakfast we complete our tour of Hanoi with a chance for last minute shopping and a visit to JPAC. Return to the hotel in the early afternoon for last minute packing prior to our departure. We check out and proceed to the airport for home or begin our post tour to Dalat and Buon Ma Thuot (Delta post tour available upon request.) (B/L/D)