A Luoi - Khe Sanh - Vinh Moc tour 2 days

Draft itinerary:

Day 1: Hue - A Luoi ~ 70km (L, D)

Day 2: A Luoi - Dmz - Hue ~ 330km (B, L)

Highlights tour:

+ A Luoi : A Luoi is a district of Thua Thien-Hue Province in the North Central Coast region of Vietnam. It is located to the west of the province in a mountainous area bordering Laos. The population includes many Bru, Hoa and Ta Oi people. As of 2003 the district had a population of 38,616.The district covers an area of 1,229 km². The district capital lies at A Luoi. It is connected to Hue, one of the main towns in central Vietnam by National Road 49, a road notorious for its poor safety because of the hilly terrain and poor road surface, including a stretch of 16 km through the Kim Quy hills. Many of the hills in the area became famous during the many border battles of the mid-late 1960s during the Vietnam War, such as Me On, Suoi Mau (lit Bloody Waterfall), and A Bia, better known for the Battle of Hamburger Hill.

+ Ta Oi people: The Ta Oi is an ethnic group of Vietnam (34,960 in 1999). They speak a Mon-Khmer language and concentrate in A LUoi district of Thua Thien Hue province and Hương Hóa district of Quảng Trị province.

+ Hien Luong Bridge: Hien Luong Bridge is a bridge over Ben Hai River, Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Province, Viet Nam. This bridge is located in 17th Parallel and in Vietnam War, it was bisected between South Vietnam and North Vietnam.        

+ Vinh Moc tunnels: Deep beneath the dark earth, hidden from screeching bombers and harbouring desperate soldiers, the people of Vinh Linh, Quang Tri lived for many years in the now famous Vinh Moc Tunnel. They survived, and even prospered in their makeshift underground community. During that time, 17 children were born in the tunnels, each of whose lives is a testament to just how perfect the complex network of caves and warrens were at protecting those forces within. As time goes by, it has become both a historical evidence and a tourist destination for discovering a heroic period of Vietnam’s history.

+ Cua Tung beach:  Cua Beach is located in Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Province. Although Cua Tung Beach is not very wide or long, it has its own beauty. The beach has sparkling green water, silky sand, and it is touched by soft breezes throughout the year.      

+  The Dakrong Bridge and the Ho Chi Monh Trail: The current incarnation of the Dakrong Bridge was built in 1975 after reunification. Just west of the main DMZ zone, the bridge was considered the beginning of the Ho Chi Minh Trail network, and during the years of conflict with the United States, this access point was hotly contested. The Dakrong Bridge fell many times. Now it's a grand suspension bridge, a proud thumbed nose as if to say, "You can't knock down my bridge anymore." The road to the bridge leads to the border with Laos, and even the overnight buses that take intrepid travelers over this route will stop for a good look at the bridge, which heads south (buses continue on the main road west to Laos). Across the bridge is a small village that's a popular stop for tour groups, and where most buses turn around and head back to the main highway. The stunning scenery all along Hwy. 9 is worth the ride.

Operation : Daily departure

Duration : 2days / 1night

Tour route : Hue - Aluoi - Khe Sanh - Vinh Moc - Quang Tri - Hue

Brief description : Besides the poetic and ancient beauties, Hue has more attractive than to international tourists due to cultural values of minority groups. Joinning two-days tour to remote rural regions, you will realize that the time you spend on there is not useless at all; on the contrary, it is certain that you will receive a hearty welcome from ethnic people and get the right respect for their habits and customs. Above of all, this tour will take you to specialized historic spots in DMZ.

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1: Hue - A Luoi ~ 70km (LD)

Am: Depart at your hotel in Hue at 8.00am, you will be transferred to A Luoi about 70km. Along the way from Hue to A Luoi you can see natural beauty and minority people in highland mountain. Arriving A Luoi and check in Stilt house. Having a short rest, you will discover A Luoi town and daily life of Ta Oi ethnic with their traditional handicraft village such as weaving, textile... Besides, you will visit a well-known military site in the war between America and Vietnam - Hamburger Hill (nickname 937 Hill) by trekking. The driver will drive you to the foot of the Hill, after that you trek step by step to the top of the hill for enjoyment and discoverity. From the top of this hill, you can see the whole sight of the airport and the combat base. Back to A Luoi town, have lunch in local restaurant.

Pm: After your lunch our driver and guide transfer you to Aka Chi village. It takes you more 30km to Aka Chi village where you will spend your night on Stilthouse. Check in stilthouse upon you arrive. Take a short break, after that you will trek A Roang forest to explore variety of forest in Green Corridor forest of A Luoi. And you have chance to enjoy and relax at A Roang Hot Spring. Tonight is a chance for you to enjoy cultural performance of traditional music and dance by Ta Oi ethnic people. Have dinner at stilthouse. Ovenight at stilthouse in AKa Chi village.

Day 2: A Luoi - Dmz - Hue ~ 330km (BL)

Am: You get up early in this morning to experience the activities and morning life of local people as well as enjoy the fresh air in the mountain area. A Luoi is in the area of Green Corridor in Central. Leave the village at 7 am after having breakfast in Stilt House, then go along Ho Chi Minh Trail for visiting Dakrong Bridge via Ka Tu, Van Kieu, Paco village. Ho Chi Minh Trail is very famous in the war of Vietnam army, so you can admire the green and imposing of forest along this trail. This is an opportunity for you to meet more ethnic people in the highlight of Viet Nam Central. Then go around visiting Khe Sanh combat base - one of the most famous sieges of American Vietnamese War, the Rock pile described as 230 high-piles of rocks. Have lunch in Dong Ha town.

Pm: In the afternoon, you will go on visiting Doc Mieu, Hien Luong Bridge, Museum, Ben Hai River, the 17th Parallel, Vinh Moc Tunnel - the famous structure during the war of people lived underland in tunnels of Vinh Linh people. Visiting this site you can see and admire its special by your own eyes when you are there. After that enjoy at Cua Tung beach before coming back to Hue about 6pm. Tour ends at your hotel.