This trip is grounded in a desire to learn more about the Vietnam War, and America’s involvement across Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Travel Weekend
Flight & Overnight in Seoul
Saturday, December 20 - Sunday, December 21
First, we fly to Seoul, Korea, spend the night at a hotel at the airport, then continue on to our first stop—Vientiane, Laos.
Flight (Saturday, December 20): Delta 7836, Confirmation #: HUDJJM, Seats: Amanda 7D, Shep 7E, Departs LAX: 10:50am, Arrives ICN: 5:35pm (December 21)
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Incheon, 208, Yeongjonghaeannam-ro 321beon-gil, Incheon South Korea, 400-719, Phone: +82-32-745 12 34, Confirmation #: 9082676480144, Check-in: 03:00 PM
Day 01
See the COPE Center & stay in Vientiane
Monday, December 22
Fly from Seoul to Vientiane
Flight: Laos Airlines QV924 , Amanda Confirmation #: 6275000973984, Shep Confirmation #: 6275000973985, Seats: Amanda 5C, Shep 5D, Departs ICN: 10:50am, Arrives Vientiane: 1:30pm
Tour begins! Pick up at airport, transfer to hotel for checking in.
We transfer out to visit COPE Center, a Lao, locally-run, non-profit organization founded in 1997 to provide survivors of unexploded ordnance (UXO) with the specific care and support they require. Working in partnership with the Centre of Medical Rehabilitation and provincial rehabilitation centres, COPE facilitate access to orthotic and prosthetic devices, quality treatment and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities, hence improving their ability to participate in the communities and have a positive effect on their quality of life.
Finally, visit Patuxay Monument, well known as Victory Gate.
Explore the night market in the evening.
Hotel: Souphattra Heritage Vientiane, 140 Watchan Village, Quai Fa Ngum Road, Hom 5, Chanthabouly Destrict, 01000 Vientiane, Laos, +856 21 617 111, Confirmation #: TBC, Room: Heritage Executive
Day 02
Travel to & explore Sam Neua
Tuesday, December 23
Free time until we head to the airport to fly from Vientiane to Sam Neua, Laos
Upon arrival in Sam Neua transfer to visit Wat Phoxay and Sam Neua Local market
Overnight in Sam Neua.
Hotel: Horkeo Boutique Hotel, C27X+82, Sam Nuea, Laos, Room: Business Retreat
Day 03
Vieng Xay Caves & overnight in Sam Neua
Wednesday, December 24
The Vieng Xay Cave Complex is the heart of this “Hidden City,” offering an extraordinary look into Laos’ secret wartime history. During the Vietnam War, more than 480 limestone caves in the region were transformed into a fully functioning underground society. These caves served not only as homes but also as schools, hospitals, military headquarters, and even performance spaces- allowing thousands of revolutionaries and civilians to live and organize safely amidst heavy U.S. bombing.
Some of the most notable caves include the Kaysone Phomvihane Cave, which was the residence of the revolutionary leader and is preserved with furniture and items from the time. The Politburo Cave was the command center for major political decisions, giving you insight into how leadership operated underground. The Hospital Cave shows how medical care was delivered in harsh conditions, while the Art & Music Cave reveals how cultural life persisted through concerts and propaganda performances.
Come back Sam Neua to overnight.
Hotel: Horkeo Boutique Hotel, C27X+82, Sam Nuea, Laos, Room: Business Retreat
Day 04
Travel to Hanoi & see Vietnam Military History Museum & “Hanoi Hilton”
Thursday, December 25
Morning flight from Sam Neua to Hanoi (one stop in Vientiane).
Afternoon at leisure in Hanoi
Visit Vietnam Military History Museum
From National Geographic: Hanoi’s war museum moved in late 2024 from its old spot near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to a striking fan-shaped brutalist building in the west of the city. Inside, hangar-like rooms contain a vast range of military hardware left over from the Vietnam War — there’s a Soviet-made MiG-21 fighter jet and a tank that crashed through the gates of the Reunification Palace during the North’s capture of Saigon in 1975. There are also rooms containing moving exhibitions with personal items — photographs, clothing, letters and so on — that belonged to soldiers and villagers who were affected by the war.Visit Hoa Lo Prison
From National Geographic: Many US prisoners of war were incarcerated here — ironically nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ — by North Vietnamese forces. Conditions were grim; inmates suffered atrocities later described as war crimes. The prison pre-dates the Vietnam-US War, however; it was built by the French in the late 19th century. Most of it was demolished in the 1990s, but the remaining portion was converted into this museum. Exhibits include the personal effects of famous former inmates, such as the flight suit of former US presidential candidate John McCain, who was imprisoned here after his plane was shot down over Hanoi in 1967.Visit the night markets.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Hotel: The Oriental Jade Hotel, No. 92-94 Hang Trong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam, Phone: (+84)2439367777, Hotline: (+84) 942 217 271, Room: Sapphire Old Quarter View (Double/Twin) Large window, Old Quarter view
Day 05
Travel to & Explore Hoi An
Friday, December 26
Early morning flight from Hanoi to Da Nang.
Transfer to Hoi An for check-in and leisure time.
Optional activities: basket boat experience or relaxing evening among the lantern-lit streets.
Overight in Hoi An.
Stay at Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery, 39 Đào Duy Từ, Street, Ward, Quảng Nam 560000, Vietnam, +84 235 3950 777, Room: Grand Deluxe River View - King bed
Day 06
Drive the Hai Van Pass en route to Hue
Saturday, December 27
Scenic drive through the Hai Van Pass with sightseeing stops along the
way. Visit coastal viewpoints and local villages en route.
Arrive in Hue and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Hue.
Hotel: Azerai La Residence, , 05 Le Loi Street, Hue City, Vietnam, +84 (0) 234 3837 475, Room: Deluxe King River View
Day 07
Visit the DMZ & overnight in Hue
Sunday, December 28
Today, depart Hue early in the morning for a full-day excursion to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a region of great historical importance during the Vietnam War.
Travel along Highway 9 toward the former U.S. Marine base at Khe Sanh Combat Base, near the Laotian border. Visit the museum and remnants of the base, which was a major battleground during the war.
En route, stop at notable sites such as Rockpile and Dakrong Bridge, both of which played important roles in troop movements and supply routes. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Return to Hue in the evening, with time to rest and relax at your hotel. Overnight in Hue.
Hotel: Azerai La Residence, , 05 Le Loi Street, Hue City, Vietnam, +84 (0) 234 3837 475, Room: Deluxe King River View
Day 08
Visit the DMZ Eastern Sites & fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Monday, December 29
After breakfast, transfer from Hue to Quang Tri – 2 hours driving. The ride over DMZ area is suitable for those who want to learn about the severe Vietnam War and those who want to “make love not make war.”
Touring Hien Luong bridge & Ben Hai river – the 17th Parallel. From 1945 to 1975,the Ben Hai River served as the demarcation line between North and South of Vietnam. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) consisted of a 5 km to north and south of the demarcation line. The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was established as a dividing line between North and South Vietnam as a result of the First Indochina War.
During the Second Indochina War (popularly known as the Vietnam War), it became important as the battleground demarcation separating North Vietnamese territory from South Vietnamese territory. The next stop is Vinh Moc Tunnels - the famous “Underground city”. The route is scenic after leaving the main highway passing through quaint villages and skirting along Cua Tung Beach. The Vinh Moc village story is a feat of humanity and resistance. In order to escape heavy bombardment during the war, the villagers constructed approximately 2.8 km of underground tunnels which they used as a refuge to survive the bombings. Three hundred people lived intermittently in the tunnels from 1966 to 1971. Explore the tunnels and enjoy the beautiful sea view upon exit.
Return to Hue and take flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Hotel: Mai House, Ngô Thời Nhiệm, Phường Võ Thị Sáu, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam, +84 28 7303 9000, Room: Premium Room
Day 09
Visit War Remnants Museum & fly to Phnom Penh
Tuesday, December 30
Head to Tao Dan Park for breakfast and a morning walk.
Visit the War Remnants Museum. From Trip Advisor: The War Remnants Museum is a unit under the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho Chi Minh City. The Museum stores more than 20,000 documents, exhibits and films.
Fly to Phnom Penh
Upon arrival, get picked up and transfer to the hotel for check in.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Hotel: Sofitel Phnom Penh, 26 Old August Site Sothearos Boulevard Sangkat Tonle Bassac, 12301 Phnom Penh, Cambodia, (+855) 23 999 200, Room: Superior
Day 1o
The Killing Fields
Wednesday, December 31
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive to visit the “Killing Fields” of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained and tortured at the S-21 prison and transported to extermination camp of Choeng Ek
Visit the Independence monument
Visit Central market of Psa Thmey
In the afternoon, visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed.
Then Visit Russian Market (Toul Tumpong Market), which has gained cheap clothing, a large selection of Buddha images and wood carvings, betel-nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, and classic music instruments.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Hotel: Sofitel Phnom Penh, 26 Old August Site Sothearos Boulevard Sangkat Tonle Bassac, 12301 Phnom Penh, Cambodia, (+855) 23 999 200, Room: Superior
Day 11
Fly to Siem Reap & Tour Angkor Wat
Thursday, January 1
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.
Upon arrival, get picked up and transfer to the hotel for check in.
Afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, the largest temples in world and covers an area of 200 hectares and surrounded by moat and an exterior wall measuring 1300 meters x 1500 meters.
Continue visit to Bakheng Hill: Sunset viewing on the top of the hill. Bakheng is the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area. This temple-mountain offers extraordinary views of the Tonle Sap and Angkor Wat.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Hotel: Park Hyatt Siem Reap, Sivutha Blvd, Krong Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia, +855 63 211 234, Room: Park Deluxe (King Bed Deluxe)
Day 12
Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei, and Apsara Dance
Friday, January 2
Breakfast at the hotel.
Heading out of town we make our way by traveling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. Along the way we make stopover at the Preah Dark village and we follow these with a visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends.
Afternoon, visit Angkor Thom, the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, built from the late 12th century to the early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII and consists of 54 towers. Continue to visit the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.
Dinner with Apsara dance show at local restaurant.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Hotel: Park Hyatt Siem Reap, Sivutha Blvd, Krong Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia, +855 63 211 234, Room: Park Deluxe (King Bed Deluxe)
Day 13
Singapore & Shep’s Bday
Saturday, January 3
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight departure.
Flight: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ163, From: Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), To: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), Departs (SAI): 10:45 AM, Arrives (SIN): 14:15 PM
Sample Itinerary from Girl Eat World:
8:45 AM: Breakfast at Ya Kun Kaya
9:30 AM: Explore Chinatown
11:30 AM: Kampong Glam
01:00 PM: Lunch
02:00 PM: Little India
04:30 PM: Waterfront Promenade
05:30 PM: Marina Bay Sands Skypark
06:30 PM: Dinner out somewhere nearby (details TBC)
08:45 PM: Garden Rhapsody Show
Hotel: The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Rd, Singapore 247911, +65 6506 6888, Confirmation Number: 91803948, Room: Astor Room (King)
Day 14
Singapore & homeward bound
Sunday, January 4
Pack and get ready to travel home.
Sample Itinerary from Girl Eat World:
8:45 AM: Breakfast at Ya Kun Kaya
9:30 AM: Explore Chinatown
11:30 AM: Kampong Glam
01:00 PM: Lunch
02:00 PM: Little India
Early afternoon: Head to the airport for your flight home
Flight: Singapore Air SQ 036, Business, Departs SIN: 7:00pm, Changi Terminal 3, Arrives LAX 6:10pm, Los Angeles Intl Terminal B
