want to revisit vietnam after being in service there, any good advice on travel costs etc?

Answer 1

I am the son of a Vietnam Veteran. I was born in the U.S., but visited Vietnam in 1971-1972 and actually started school there. I had looked into places for my father and some of my Vietnam Veteran friends to visit while in Vietnam.

There are several tour companies tailored especially for Vietnam Veterans that you should look into. They can set you up to visit former firebases and battlefields. They can even have you meet your NVA or Viet Cong counterparts that had fought on the same battlefield.

My Veteran friends who had been on such tours very much enjoyed the experience. Many of them made friends of what used to be an enemy, and found closure that only you and other Vietnam Veterans will understand.

These tour companies are based in Saigon, Da Nang and Hue. The best way to find them is to ask a travel agency in Vietnam.

Your biggest expense will be your plane ticket. Everything else is incredibly cheap. A good hotel can be as low as $10/night. A good seafood meal can be less than $10 to feed you and a couple friends. You will be hard pressed to spend $1,000 if you stayed a month there.

I would advise starting your trip in Saigon. I guarantee that you will be completely shocked with how much everything has changed. Very few things are left from over 30 years ago. The tin huts are gone and replaced with modern high rise buildings. There are so many lights that you may think that you're in Las Vegas.

One thing that you will take away from your trip is how friendly the people are. You will feel like and be treated like a rock star by the Viets. Everyone there is going to want to be your friend because you're an American. Watch your wallet, because they will want your money too.

One last thing.... I want thank you and every Vietnam Veteran because I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.

God bless and have a great trip!