Black Stetsons Return - "The Cav in Vietnam"
7-20 September 2008
Tour Director: LTC John Powell, 1st/9th Cav - Vietnam

8 Sep Mon - (Day Two): Arrive Inchon & depart for Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City - HCMC) late in the evening. Check into Majestic Hotel. We will enjoy a welcome back seafood buffet at the hotel. Hotel: Majestic (D)

9 Sep Tue - (Day 3): A full day of touring local Saigon sites. We visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Presidential; Palace, The Army Museum, The Post Office and the former location of the US Embassy. After lunch we can visit the lacquer factory always a favorite stop due to the craftsmanship of these world renowned artisans. Hotel: Majestic (B/ L/D)

10 Sep Wed - (Day 4): This morning we travel to visit the well preserved Cu Chi Tunnel System. Our tour will continue with visits to military sites near Nui Ba Den and Dau Tieng, and a stop to see the fabulous Cau Dai Temple. We end the day at Tay Ninh. Hotel: Hoa Binh (B/L/D)

11 Sep Thur - (Day 5): We continue to explore the western region and former airfields and landing zones in Tan Bien Tan Chau, and Katum. Key points of interest are the Cav LZ's Carolyn, Dot, Jake, and Rita. Tonight we overnight in Dong Xoai. Hotel: Dong Xoai (B/L/D)

12 Sep Fri - (Day 6): Our focus today is the Cav sites in and near and Phuoc Vinh and Song Be airfields. After visiting sites required by the tour participants we return to Saigon where you can enjoy a night on the town. Hotel: Majestic (B/L/Dinner on your own)

13 Sep Sat - (Day 7): This morning we fly to DaNang and after checking in to our hotel we visit various former military sites such as Red Beach, Dog Patch, Hill 34 and the shopping areas near Marble Mountain and Hoi An. Hotel: G Plaza (B/L/D)

14 Sep Sun - (Day 8): A full day in the field touring along the Tu Bon/Vu Gia River Basin to include the eastern edge of the "Rocket Belt", Hills 55 & 37, Dai Loc, Liberty Bridge, the Arizona Territory, and the An Hoa Combat Base. This evening a special 2 hour cyclo tour of the city ending at "The Cool Spot" formerly "Christies" where western and Vietnamese food is served. Hotel: G Plaza (B/L/Dinner on your own)

15 Sep Mon - (Day 9): We depart Danang early in the morning for Hue with stops en route at Nam O, the Hai Van Pass, and Lang Co. Upon arrival Hue we check into our hotel and immediately commence a walking tour south of the Perfume River following in trace of the units that fought the bloody street battle during the 1968 Tet Offensive. After lunch we finish our exploration of this beautiful former capital city. The late afternoon is free to enjoy the unique shopping opportunities of Hue or for R&R at the hotel pool. In the evening, a dinner cruise on the Perfume River. Hotel: Huong Giang (B/L/Dinner cruise)

16 Sep Tue - (Day 10): This day we explore the north side of the Perfume River and the battles for the Citadel and TT Woods. After lunch the remainder of the day is free for shopping shopping on Le Loi Street and the Dong Ba Market or will be devoted to exploring the ancient walled city by cyclo. Hotel: Huong Giang.(B/L/Dinner on your own)

17 Sep Wed - (Day 11): On this day we drive north to the DMZ with stops at Camp Evans, LZ Sharon and Nancy. We will visit Dong Ha and explore the old "Leatherneck Square" sites, Gio Linh, Con Thien, and Cam Lo, to include the Peace Bridge. Hotel: Troung Son (B/Box L/D)

18 Sep Thur - (Day 12): This morning we go west along Route 9 with stops at Camp Carroll, Khe Gia Bridge, the Rockpile, Khe Sanh Combat Base, and the new Da Krong Bridge. After lunch we proceed to Lang Vei on the Laotian border. This was the scene of the first use by the NVA of tanks when they assaulted the Special Forces Camp in 1968. At this time we return to Hue with dinner on your own. Hotel: Huong Giang (B/L)

19 Sep Fri - (Day 13): Fly to Hanoi on Flt VN 240 @0830. Visit Hoa Lo prison (the infamous Hanoi Hilton)and check into our hotel to repack for the flight home. Drive to the airport late this evening for our flight. Hotel: ICC (B/L)

20 Sat - (Day 14): We arrive in Inchon, and after a short layover, we board our flight for Los Angeles, arriving the same date.