Tour Code: 28VNW
Tour Manager: John A. Borkowski
Tour Leader: John A. Borkowski
Group Size: 8
Activity level: Moderate

This Vietnam tour offers an in-depth look at the country’s history, culture, and wartime heritage. In Hanoi, highlights include the Vietnam Military History Museum, Hoa Lo Prison, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and Train Street. Travel to Ha Long Bay for a scenic cruise with kayaking, swimming, and cave exploration. In Hue and Hoi An, visit the Imperial Citadel, Tet Offensive battlefields, My Lai Massacre Memorial, and Viet Cong hideouts such as Vinh Moc Tunnels, Marble Mountains, and My Son Sanctuary. Explore Da Nang’s beaches, markets, and museums, then Ho Chi Minh City, including the War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, and the Mekong Delta, concluding at the Long Tan Battlefield.

Sunday, March 12
Arrive in Hanoi, transfer to the hotel, and take time to rest and recover from jet lag. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. Stay in Hanoi for 3 nights.

Monday, March 13
Begin the day with a visit to the Vietnam Military History Museum to gain an overview of Vietnam’s military history. Afterwards, continue to West Lake (optional) before stopping at the John Sidney McCain Memorial. Nearby, visit the B-52 Lake, where the remains of a downed bomber are visible. Time permitting, conclude with a visit to the well-known Train Street, subject to local access regulations and train schedules.

Tuesday, March 14
Visit Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” where American POWs were held. Continue to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Complex to explore the site dedicated to Vietnam’s founding leader. Next, see the B-52 Victory Museum, followed by the D67 underground bunker. Time permitting, there is an optional visit to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.

Wednesday, March 15
Travel by motorcoach 2.5 hours from Hanoi to Ha Long Upon arrival, board a cruise to explore the bay, including opportunities for kayaking and swimming, and visit one of the area’s impressive caves. Overnight in Ha Long Bay.

Thursday, March 16
Travel from Ha Long to Hue. Upon arrival, explore the Hue City and enjoy sightseeing and other local attractions. Stay in Hue for 3 nights.

Friday, March 17
Explore locations central to the Tet Offensive, starting with the Imperial Citadel of Hue and the adjacent battlefields. Then, visit the Hue War Museum and the Dong Ba Market, a site that experienced heavy combat during the offensive.

Saturday, March 18
Check out the historic DMZ, kicking things off at the Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River. Then, dive into the Vinh Moc Tunnels—pretty incredible how locals hid out there during the war. Wrap up the tour at the Khe Sanh Combat Base, and if you have time, swing by Camp Carroll.

Sunday, March 19
Travel from Hue to Da Nang, driving along the scenic Hai Van Pass, which served as a strategic military route. Stop at Lang Co Beach, where U.S. troops landed. Explore the Marble Mountains, a former Viet Cong hideout and U.S. helicopter base, and visit My Khe Beach, also known as China Beach, a popular location for soldiers. See the remains of the war era at Da Nang Airport, then continue to the Son Tra Peninsula to view the radar station and former military base. Conclude with a visit to the Da Nang Museum and the iconic Golden Bridge, held up by giant hands. Stay in Da Nang for 2 nights.

Monday, March 20
Visit Da Nang’s Museum of Cham Sculpture to learn about the region’s history before the war, then continue to My Son Sanctuary, which served as a Viet Cong hideout during the conflict. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing on Da Nang’s beaches, either at Red Beach, where U.S. Marines landed, or at My Khe Beach, famously known among U.S. soldiers.

Tuesday, March 21
Drive to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit Cam Kim Island, which was a strategic area for the Viet Cong. Learn about wartime efforts at the Hoi An Museum of History and Culture (optional), and continue to Hill 65. Stay in Hoi An for 2 nights.

Wednesday, March 22
Take a day trip to Quang Ngai to visit the My Lai Massacre Memorial Site, honoring the victims of this tragic event. Continue to Operation Starlite, the first major battle of the Vietnam War, and then visit Chu Lai, one of the largest U.S. bases. Stop at Hy Ha before returning to Hoi An in the evening.

Thursday, March 23
Take a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the impact of the war, and explore the Reunification Palace, where the North Vietnamese Army claimed victory in 1975. See the former U.S. Embassy site, the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum, and Tao Dan Park, and conclude with a visit to the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City. Stay in Ho Chi Minh for 4 nights.

Friday, March 24
Take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network used by the Viet Cong, and learn about tunnel construction and guerrilla tactics. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for free time, with opportunities to explore Tu Do Street and Binh Thang Market.

Saturday, March 25
Explore the Mekong Delta, including the Rung Sac Special Zone, a former Viet Cong base hidden in the mangroves. Visit local villages and learn about daily life during wartime.

Sunday, March 26
Drive to the Long Tan Battlefield, the site of the 1966 battle involving Australian forces. Visit the Long Tan Cross Memorial and learn about the events of the battle. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a farewell dinner.

Monday, March 27
Transfer to the Ho Chi Minh airport for your departure to your next destination.

Updated as of 02/24/2026

John is from Indianapolis, Indiana, and teaches ASL and Deaf Studies at Purdue University. He comes from a Navy family, which sparked an early interest in military history. His passion for history was also influenced by his mother, who holds a master’s degree in history.

John spent 25 years teaching history in K–12 schools, covering U.S., world, and European history, as well as government and economics. During that time, he led educational trips to historical locations including France, England, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Washington, DC.

John enjoys visiting historical sites because they bring the past to life. He looks forward to exploring war history and sharing those experiences with travelers.

• 14 nights in 3/4-star accommodations.

• 17 meals: Breakfast (14), Dinner (3)

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins in Hanoi, Vietnam and ends in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. 

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants.

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits/payments may be required.

• Significant walking expected during the tour.  Moderate physical fitness is required. All participants will be expected to be able to carry their own luggage.

• Hands on Travel recommends that you purchase a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: johnb@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.