b'THE KOREAN WAR Scan hereTHE VIETNAM WAR Scan here for the fullFROM DEFEAT AT DIEN BIEN PHU TO for the full THE FIRST CONFLICT OF THE NUCLEAR AGE itinerary THE FALL OF SAIGON itinerary1626 April 2025 Historical Background 29 December 2024Historical Background11 days When the Japanese army in Korea surrendered at the end of WW2, the Allies11 January 2025Expert Historian: agreed that those surrendering north of 38th Parallel would do so to the USSROn the 7th of May 1954, the Viet Minh were victorious at the battle of Dien Lieutenant-Generaland those below it to the USA. Capitalising on the situation, the Soviets speedily12 days Bien Phu, thus ending French involvement in Indochina. The ensuing cordoned off their sphere of influence and thus Korea became a dividedGeneva Conference in November of that year divided the country in two Jonathon Riley country. Five years of fruitless international negotiation followed, finally brokenExpert Historian: along the 17th parallel. North Vietnam continued the fight as an extension Activity Level: 2 by the invasion of South Korea on 25th June 1950 by Soviet backed North Korea.Prof Bill Allisonof their desire for independence against colonial rule, supported by China Seoul quickly fell and a rapid advance by the North Koreans saw them layingActivity Level: 2 and the Soviet Union. The United States and her allies, who feared the rise siege to the perimeter of Pusan by the beginning of August, a siege that was toof communism in Southeast Asia, sided with the South and thus ushered Whilst the focus of our tour is clearlylast for over a month. US reinforcements allowed for the simultaneous Inchonin a new war. American involvement began in earnest in the spring of 1965 on the Korean War, our journey takes usLandings outside Seoul and the breakout from Pusan on 15th September andAppealing to history and culture enthusiastswhen 3,500 US Marines landed near Da Nang; the number of US ground through some tranquil idyllic landscapes:by the end of October US forces, now reinforced by a polyglot of United Nationsalike, this tour combines the key locationstroops then rose rapidly to 200,000 by December of the same year. By this pine-clad hills and mountains; emerald- troops, had occupied Pyongyang and stood less than 100kms from the Chineseof the Vietnam war, with the stunningtime the North Vietnamese Army and insurgent National Liberation Front green rice-paddies; stunning mist- border. But at the end of November, a massive UN reconnaissance in force washighlights of that country. Vietnam offers(otherwise known as the Viet Cong) controlled large portions of the rural shrouded coastlines; glorious springsurprised by a Chinese backed counter-offensive and by the end of 1950 botha rich culture and history, combined withSouth. The Tet Offensive of 1968 saw the beginnings of a shift to fighting in gardens. Experience the KTX bullet train,sides were facing each other across the 38th Parallel. Early 1951 saw a seconddelicious local cuisine with a French twist.more urban areas, with the major cross vast waterways over modern awe- Communist invasion of the SouthHanoi, with its leafy tree lined avenues,cities of Hue and Saigon enduring inspiring bridges and explore the heartrepulsed, but a redoubled effortplays host to fascinating, thought provokingfierce fighting with regiment of pulsating, glittering Seoul where 5000in the Spring produced, amongstmuseums and military sites. Further northsized forces opposing each other. years of tradition seamlessly intertwinesothers, the heroic stand by thewe explore the battlefield of Dien Bien Phu,Urban areas increasingly became with the modern. Visit magnificentGloucestershire Regiment on thewhich signalled the end of French Colonialthe focus of later operations palaces dating from Medieval times,Imjin River. By the summer of thatrule and savour the breath-taking vistasconducted by the North, such see classical wooden hanok homes,year the frontline was once againof Ha Long Bay. We continue our journeyas the Easter Offensive of 1972 savour international and local cuisinerunning along the 38th Parallel.south to the former DMZ, visiting the Citadeland their final Spring Offensive and immerse yourself in Korean cultureFor the next 2 years, whilst peacein Hue where some of the fiercest fightingof 1975. Numerous atrocities and heritage. Get close to North Korea innegotiations stalled, a series oftook place during the 1968 Tet Offensive.were committed by both sides, the Demilitarised Zone or DMZ, explore North Korean Infiltration tunnels and learnsmall-scale battles of attrition tookEnjoy some R&R at China beach, cruiseincluding the use of chemical about the latest negotiations betweenplace with neither side gainingthe Mekong Delta in the wake of the U.S.and biological weapons such as the two countries. Whilst no plans havematerial advantage. Finally, on JulyBrown Water Navy and explore the incredibleNapalm and Agent Orange. By the been confirmed presently, we anticipate27th 1953, an armistice was signedCu Chi tunnels, all in the company of ourend of the war on 30th April 1975, attending the annual commemorationsand the extant front-line becameexpert historian. Finally, relax with a drink inmore than 58,000 Americans of the battle of the Imjin River.the agreed border, a border that stillthe rooftop bar at the Rex Hotel in Saigon,and an estimated 1.5 million nervously exists today. famous hangout of war correspondents andVietnamese soldiers and civilians senior US military officials. had lost their lives.Day 0 . Overnight flight London to Incheon.Day 1 Arrive Incheon late afternoon. Overnight Incheon Airport. Introductory talkDay 0 . Overnight fly to Hanoi. and dinner. (D) Day 1 Arrive Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum (two nights). (B,L,D)Day 2 Osan Task Force Smith memorial and museum, defence of the Kum RiverDay 2 Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex, Vietnam Military History Museum,at Gongju. Bullet train from Deajon to Busan (2 nights) (B,L,D)Hoa Lo Prison. (B,L,D)Day 3 Goeje Island UN PoW camp, 1950 perimeter defences, United NationsDay 3 . Hanoi. Fly to Dien Bien Phu (two nights). (B,L,D) Memorial Cemetery. (B,L,D) Day 4 The Battle of Dien Bien Phu 1954 - Muong Phang tunnels. (B,L,D)Day 4 Battle of Jangsari, Bullet train to Seoul (7 nights). (B,L,D)Day 5 Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace, changing of the guard, Insadong, Korean WarDay 5 Dien Bien Phu - Bailey Bridge. Fly to Hanoi. (one night) . (B,L,D) Memorial Museum (B,L,D) Day 6 . HanoiHa Long Bay. Overnight cruise in luxury junk, Thien Canh Day 6 . Inchon Landings: Wolmido Hill, Freedom Park, Landings Memorial Museum. Son cave. (one night onboard). (B,L,D) Dinner at own expense. (B,L) Day 7 Ha Long Bay, morning cruise. Fly to Hue (two nights). (B,L,D)Day 7 Battles of Chipyung and Kapyong, (B,L,D) Day 8 . The Demilitarized Zone and Khe Sanh - The Rockpile and Ta Con Day 8 . Chulwon Peace Observatory for views towards Pork Chop Hill and Baengma, Airfield, Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc tunnel complex. (B,L,D) the abandoned Woljeong-ri station, Korean Workers Party HQ. Afternoon:Day 9 . The Battle for Hue 1968: Hue Citadel, Red Beach 2, China Beach,initial positions and withdrawal route of 29 (BR) Inf Bde on Imjin. (B,L,D)Danang (one night). (B,L,D)ESSENTIALS Day 9 . The Imjin River: Solma-ri, Hill 235, Yangyeon, Route 11, annual commemorationESSENTIALS Day 10 Fly to Saigon. The Cu Chi Tunnels. Saigon (two nights). (B,L,D)4-star hotels, meals as indicated, at Gloucester Valley Monument. (B,L,D) 4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Day 11 . Mekong DeltaMy Tho and Ap Bac, dinner Rex Hotel. (B,L,D)Day 10 JSA (subject to permission): Freedom House, House of Peace Conference Room, drinks with dinner, all entrance fees, Bridge of No Return. DMZ: Memorial to Korean War Abductees, The Last Train Out,drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 12 The Fall of Saigon - Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, tour manager and expert historian The Bridge of Freedom, Dora Observatory, 3rd Infiltration Tunnel.(B,L,D) tour manager and expert historian Ben Than market. Leave tour/flight to London. (B)throughout, all internal travel, Day 11 . Return flight to London (B) throughout, all internal travel, optional optional travel from UK. travel from UK.72 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 73'