From/ To: HO CHI MINH CITY
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Departs: 22nd April 2027
Departure: Guaranteed
Tour type: Private

Overview:

Attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Ho Chi Minh City and later visit the Long Tan Memorial. Engage in the history and culture of Vietnam on a full day city tour of Ho Chi Minh City including a visit to the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum. Travel outside to the Cu Chi Tunnels by speedboat and over two days, visit Australian locations during the Vietnam War, at Nui Dat and Vung Tau.

Highlights:

• Anzac Day Dawn Service & Gunfire Breakfast

• Full Day City Tour (includes the Independence Palace & War Remnants Museum)

• Cu Chi Tunnels by Speedboat

• 2 Days Australian Vietnam War Locations Tour to Nui Dat, Long Tan, Vung Tau & Long Hai Hills

If you find that you are unable to join a tour that has been booked, confirmed and paid in part or in full, the paid amount of that tour less any unrecoverable costs, may be converted to a voucher. The value of that voucher may be used towards the same tour with a later departure date or any other HWT tour.

If a refund is requested, the following cancellation fees may be deducted from the paid amount:

• Greater than 60 days prior to tour start date - Any unrecoverable costs only

• 60 days or less but greater than 44 days prior to tour start date – 30% of total tour amount + any unrecoverable costs

• 44 days or less but greater than 14 days prior to tour start date – 50% of total tour amount + any unrecoverable costs

• 14 days or less (including 'no show') prior to tour start date - No refund

• Registration with the Australian Australian Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, is compulsory. However, Historic War Tours will pass on your details already provided by you when making your booking. This information will assist the organisers with crowd control and catering for the Gunfire Breakfast. You will be advised when this has been done.

• Due to local sensitivities, an official Anzac Day Commemoration at the Long Tan Memorial, is not permitted by the Vietnamese Government. On Anzac Day, local authorities may be present to control the number of persons visiting the memorial at any one time. Uniforms, medals and flags cannot be displayed.

• All customers must have comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of the tour.

   

• This tour is conducted in accordance with the Terms, Conditions and Policies (Terms) of Historic War Tour Pty Ltd (HWT). By booking a tour with HWT, you acknowledge that you have read and understand these Terms and accept them.

What level of fitness is required?

Fitness level is very subjective and can vary for everyone. As a guide,

Day 2:

·      Full Day City Tour:

·         Ben Thanh Markets – Low-Moderate

·         War Remnants Museum – Low-Moderate

·         Independence Palace - Low-Moderate

·         Jade Emperor Pagoda – Low-Moderate

·         Notre Dame Cathedral & Saigon Post Office – Low

·         Rex Hotel Rooftop Bar - Low

·      Evening Street Food Tour – Moderate

Day 3:

·      Cu Chi Tunnels by speedboat – Moderate-High

Day 4:

·      Anzac Day Dawn Service – Low

·      Nui Dat (Australian Task Force Site) – Low-Moderate

·      Long Tan Memorial – Low

·      Vung Tau locations – Low

Day 5:

·      Worldwide Arms Museum

·      Long Hai Hills – Moderate-High

Do you cater for single travellers?

Yes. All our tours welcome single travellers and provide single-occupancy accommodation.

Do you have a schedule of planned tours?

Our Anzac Day tours in Sandakan, Thailand, and Vietnam have set departure dates. All other tours are private and run year-round, with departure dates arranged to suit your travel plans.

What is the maximum number of people on tour?

Most of our tours are private, so only you, your group, the guide, and the driver will be on tour. Group Anzac Day tours range from 4–5 people in a minivan to around 30 people on a 40-seat bus.

Can I customise an advertised tour?

Yes. All tours, except our group Anzac Day tours, can be tailored to suit your preferences. We can adjust itineraries, extend stays, change hotels, and add or swap tours. Changes may require a revised quote, but we’ll work with you to avoid unexpected costs.

What meals are included?

Your tour itinerary shows which meals are included each day. When meals are not included, your guide can recommend suitable places to eat. Meals are usually a mix of local cuisine. Please let your guide know about any dietary requirements.

I have specific dietary needs.

Our tours visit countries known for their diverse and sometimes spicy cuisine. Please advise us of any dietary requirements when booking and inform your guide at the start of your tour. Your guide will do their best to arrange suitable meals throughout your trip.

Do I need to take any medication (e.g. malaria tablets)?

We recommend consulting your doctor about any vaccinations or medications you may need when travelling overseas.

I have prescribed medication.

While pharmacies are becoming more common throughout Southeast Asia, you should bring enough prescribed medication for your entire trip. We also recommend carrying a doctor’s letter listing your medication for customs purposes if required.

How much should I give the Guide and Driver as a tip?

Tipping is not compulsory and is entirely at your discretion. Guides and drivers are paid a salary, but any additional tip for good service is always appreciated. If you choose to tip, give an amount you feel comfortable with. If splitting between guide and driver, please present tips separately.

Wednesday, 22nd April 2027

Arrive at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where you will meet your driver who will take you to your central city hotel. Check-in and the rest of the day is free. 

Airport transfers included

Hotel included: Aquari Hotel (3 Star) (or similar); Eden Star Hotel (4 Star) (or similar)

Thursday, 23rd April 2027

Full Day: City Tour (Private tour):
Depart hotel: 9:00am
Finish: 5:00pm approx. 

Visit the Ben Thanh Markets before the sobering War Remnants Museum, a mixed display (sometimes confronting) that shows the Vietnam (American) War from the Vietnamese perspective. A short distance away is the Independence Palace. In 1975, when South Vietnam fell to the North, this was the Presidential Palace. It has been restored as it was in 1975 and provides an interesting snapshot of that time.

After lunch, visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda (‘Pink’ Pagoda), a Chinese Buddhist pagoda which is an oasis amid the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City and of course, painted pink. Then, before returning to your hotel, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Post Office, located in the heart of the city, both built in the nineteenth century and noted for their architecture.

End your City Tour with a visit to the Rex Hotel Rooftop Bar, a cool and relaxing location. During the Vietnam War, the Rex Hotel was a meeting place for American military officials, foreign correspondents and spies. From here, your guide will point out the apartment building that became famous as the last CIA evacuation point in the final days of the Vietnam War.

Return to your hotel where your evening is free.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel included:  Aquari Hotel (3 Star) (or similar); Eden Star Hotel (4 Star) (or similar)

Friday, 24th April 2027

Morning: Cu Chi Tunnels by Speedboat Tour (‘Join-in’ tour):
Depart hotel: 7:00am
Finish: 1:30pm approx.

This will be an enjoyable, exciting and interesting morning. You will be picked up from your hotel and will board a 10-12 passenger speedboat for an exciting trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Along the way, your guide will point out life along the banks of the Saigon River with plenty of photo opportunities.

At the Cu Chi Tunnels, take an informative tour of this ‘underground’ village complex built by resourceful Vietnamese guerrilla fighters, during the Vietnam War. Different aspects of life in the tunnels such as meeting areas, workshops to make weapons and clothing, as well as kitchens and sleeping areas, have been recreated on the surface.

You will have the opportunity to go through a short section of tunnel and envisage what it was like back then. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch before returning to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

The rest of your day is free.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel included: Aquari Hotel (3 Star) (or similar); Eden Star Hotel (4 Star) (or similar)

Saturday, 25th April 2027

Anzac Day Dawn Service (Private tour):
Depart hotel: 4:45am
Return: 7:15am approx.

Depart the hotel for the short journey to attend the deeply moving Anzac Day Dawn Service at the British Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and conducted by the Australian Consulate. Afterwards mingle with other Anzac Day attendees at the Gunfire Breakfast where light refreshments will be provided.

Depart about 7:00am to return to the hotel.

Full day: Day 1 of a 2 Day Nui Dat, Long Tan and Vung Tau Tour (Private tour):
Depart hotel: 8:30am
Arrive: 4:00pm approx. 

Travel out of Ho Chi Minh City to the east and what was Phuoc Tuy Province. Visit the site of the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat where the Australians were located during the Vietnam War. Your first stop will be the site of the Australian, NZ and US artillery positions which played a vital role in the Battle of Long Tan.  Remnants of the command bunker can be seen and nearby, is the remains of the Base HQ which was destroyed many years after the war.

A short distance away is Kanga Pad (the helicopter pad) and SAS Hill, now a quarry. Also see Luscombe Airfield, now a roadway and drive down Canberra Avenue to the site of the 6RAR’s camp and the Nui Dat Memorial. Pause at the memorial for some time of personal reflection.

Visit the Long Tan Memorial which marks the site of the Battle of Long Tan in which Australian soldiers, heavily outnumbered, engaged the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). Sadly, 18 Australians and about 245 NVA soldiers died. Again, take a moment of quiet reflection to remember all those who died, both military and civilian, during the Vietnam War.

Arrive at Vung Tau for lunch.

Drive by the Front and Back Beaches and the site of the Peter Badcoe Club (R&C Centre), now the Imperial Hotel. Visit the Monument for War Heroes built to commemorate the Vietnamese who died during the Vietnam War but also overlooks the site of the 1st Australian Logistics Support Group.

Check into your hotel and after an early day, your evening will be free.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel included:  The Cap Hotel (4 Star) (or similar) 

Sunday, 26th April 2027

Full day: Day 2 of a 2 Day Nui Dat, Long Tan and Vung Tau Tour (Private tour):
Depart hotel: 8:30am
Arrive: 4:00pm approx. 

Start the day with a visit to the Worldwide Arms Museum featuring a significant display of Australian military memorabilia.

Travel the short distance to the east of Vung Tau and the Long Hai Hills, the area known as the Minh Dam Secret Zone. Throughout the war, a large concentration of NVA soldiers occupied the area and where many Australian operations were conducted. You will visit bunker and cave complexes used to hide and store war materials and men.

After lunch, return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City with your evening is free.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel included:  Aquari Hotel (3 Star) (or similar); Eden Star Hotel (4 Star) (or similar) 

Monday, 27th April 2027

Your day is free as you wish until your driver arrives to take you to the airport in time for your outbound flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

Airport transfers included

Meals included: Breakfast