The Vietnam War, or the American War as it is known in Vietnam, pitched modern American technology against fierce Vietcong resistance waging a guerilla war. Saigon wartime memories and the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels provide a local perspective, as do the personal experiences of a former Vietcong guerilla who, if available, will be your host during lunch.

Departing the pier, enjoy a scenic tour of Saigon, highlighting landmarks pertinent to the Vietnam War: the site of the popular bar My Canh, the former location of the US Embassy, the Caravelle and Rex Hotels and Gia Long Palace. You also pass the wartime residence of General Westmoreland, and the former Tan Son Nhat Airbase, which came under a three-day siege during the 1968 Tet offensive.

Traveling into the verdant countryside, pass small villages, rice paddies, rubber plantations and colorful flower markets. Along the way, a stop is made to observe the process of making fragile rice paper, a booming home-industry in this area. Arriving at Cu Chi, discover the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people, during a walk around this underground complex built by the Viet Cong. Work on the tunnels began in 1948 during the war against the French, and greatly expanded throughout the 1960s. Measuring 31 inches wide and five feet tall, the maze of tunnels was extensive, extending over 120 miles. They included storerooms, sleeping quarters, kitchens, medical facilities and classrooms, and over 16,000 people lived in the tunnels. After exploring the tunnels, lunch is at a local restaurant, owned and hosted by a former female Vietcong guerilla.