b'THE VIETNAM WAR Scan here for the full FROM DEFEAT AT DIEN BIEN PHU TO THE FALL OF SAIGON itinerary28 December 2025Historical Background11 January 2026 On the 7th of May 1954, the Viet Minh were victorious at the battle of Dien 12 days Bien Phu, thus ending French involvement in Indochina. The ensuing Geneva Conference in November of that year divided the country in two Expert Historian: along the 17th parallel. North Vietnam continued the fight as an extension Professor Bill Allisonof their desire for independence against colonial rule, supported by China Activity Level: 2 and the Soviet Union. The United States and her allies, who feared the rise of communism in Southeast Asia, sided with the South and thus ushered in a new war. American involvement began in earnest in the spring of 1965 Appealing to history and culture enthusiastswhen 3,500 US Marines landed near Da Nang; the number of US ground alike, this tour combines the key locationstroops then rose rapidly to 200,000 by December of the same year. By this of the Vietnam war, with the stunningtime the North Vietnamese Army and insurgent National Liberation Front highlights of that country. Vietnam offers(otherwise known as the Viet Cong) controlled large portions of the rural a rich culture and history, combined withSouth. The Tet Offensive of 1968 saw delicious local cuisine with a French twist.the beginnings of a shift to fighting Hanoi, with its leafy tree lined avenues,in more urban areas, with the major plays host to fascinating, thought provokingcities of Hue and Saigon enduring museums and military sites. Further northfierce fighting with regiment sized we explore the battlefield of Dien Bien Phu,forces opposing each other. Urban which signalled the end of French Colonialareas increasingly became the focus rule and savour the breath-taking vistasof later operations conducted by the of Ha Long Bay. We continue our journeyNorth, such as the Easter Offensive of south to the former DMZ, visiting the Citadel1972 and their final Spring Offensive in Hue where some of the fiercest fightingof 1975. Numerous atrocities were took place during the 1968 Tet Offensive.committed by both sides, including Enjoy some R&R at China beach, cruisethe use of chemical and biological weapons such as Napalm and Agent the Mekong Delta in the wake of the U.S.Orange. By the end of the war on Brown Water Navy and explore the incredible30th April 1975, more than 58,000 Cu Chi tunnels, all in the company of ourAmericans and an estimated 1.5 expert historian. Finally, relax with a drink inmillion Vietnamese soldiers and the rooftop bar at the Rex Hotel in Saigon,civilians had lost their lives.famous hangout of war correspondents and senior US military officials. Day 0 Fly overnight London to HanoiDay 1 Arrival Free afternoon Introductory talk Hotel in Hanoi2 nights (D)Day 2Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum Military History Museum (B,L,D)Day 3 Ho Chi Minh Complexincl Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, wooden stilt house; Hoa L Prison, General Command Headquarters (B,L,D)Day 4Fly Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument, battlefield museum, Viet Minh cemetery Hotel in Dien Bien Phu2 nights (B,L,D)Day 5Full day at Dien Bien Phu - Muong Phang tunnels, French trench and bunkers, Hill A1 (B,L,D)Day 6 Dien Bien Phu: General de Castriess bunker, French Bailey Bridge, Anne-Marie defences Fly Dien Bien Phu to Hanoi Hanoi1 night (B,L,D)Day 7 Drive to Ha Long Bay, overnight cruise in luxury junk (1 night) (B,L,D)Day 8 Morning cruise Drive to Hanoi Airportfly to Hue Hue2 nights (B,L,D)Day 9 DMZ - Khe San, Rockpile, Ta Con, Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc tunnels, Vinh Linh (B,L,D)Day 10 Hue Citadel, Red 2 and China beaches Hotel in Danang1 night (B,L,D)Day 11 Fly Danang to Ho Chi Minh City Cu Chi tunnels Ho Chi Minh City ESSENTIALS 2 nights (B,L,D)4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Day 12 Ap Bac, My Tho, Mekong Delta by boat (B,L,D)drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 13 Reunification Palace, US Embassy, War Remnants Museum Fly Ho Chi tour manager and expert historianMinh City to London (B)throughout, all internal travel, optionalDay 14 Arrive in Londontravel from UK.705926 TCE BROCHURE 2025-26_Aug25.indd 70 22/08/2025 13:35'