Retracing the Vietnam War

FULL ITINERARY

Our journey begins with a warm welcome at the cruise port, where our guide and private vehicle are ready to take us on a meaningful exploration into Saigon’s living history. As we travel toward the city, rice fields and industrial zones gradually give way to an urban landscape marked by the echoes of war and the quiet resilience of its people.

We begin at the Vietnam War Remnants Museum. Through powerful photographs, preserved documents, and wartime artifacts, we are invited to reflect. For many veterans, this is more than a museum; it is a mirror of memory and a place for thoughtful pause.

Next, we visit the former Presidential Palace, now called the Reunification Palace. Its grand halls and underground war rooms bring us into the final hours of April 30, 1975, when the gates fell and the course of history quietly turned.

At midday, we enjoy a meaningful lunch at Pho Binh, a modest noodle shop with a remarkable past. Its upstairs room once served as a secret base for Viet Cong commanders during the Tet Offensive. As we share a traditional bowl of pho, we connect with the quiet strength behind the strategy.

We then visit a former safe house hidden deep in a quiet alley. This simple home once concealed weapons and protected resistance fighters. Inside, we find hidden trapdoors and compartments that speak of courage lived in silence.

Our final stop is a place for reflection. At a quiet intersection stands the statue of Thich Quang Duc, the monk who self-immolated in 1963 in protest of religious oppression. His act, captured in an unforgettable image, remains a symbol of conviction and inner strength.

Later in the afternoon, we return to cruise port. As our vehicle moves through the streets of modern Saigon, now full of life and movement, we carry with us not only memories but perhaps a renewed connection between our past and the spirit of the place we once knew. We retraced history together with Shore Excursions Asia, and left with more than memories.

Inclusions

• Round-trip transfer by private, air-conditioned vehicle from Phu My Port
• English-speaking local guide
• All entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Traditional Vietnamese lunch at Pho Binh

Exclusions

• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Gratuities