Hue – Phong Nha: DMZ Sightseeing Transfer to Vietnam War Sights

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hue in the early morning. Settle into a private car and head north toward Dong Ha, the gateway to the former DMZ zone.

As you approach Dong Ha, you’ll pass two former U.S. military sites — Gio Linh and Doc Mieu. These outposts were part of the McNamara Line, a strategic defense system built along the 17th parallel. While there’s not much remaining, these locations set the stage for what’s to come.

Continue west along Highway 9 to visit one of Vietnam’s largest war cemeteries. Over 10,000 soldiers are buried here — a moving reminder of the human cost of the conflict.

Reach the mountainous region of Khe Sanh, where one of the Vietnam War’s most infamous battles took place in 1968. Explore the grounds of the former U.S. Marine base, see tanks and aircraft left behind, and get a feel for the scale and tension of this historic site.

Head back toward Dong Ha and stop for a lunch break at a local restaurant. It’s a good chance to try dishes from Quang Tri Province and rest before the second half of the journey.

Drive east toward the coast and visit the symbolic Hien Luong Bridge, which once divided North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel. You’ll walk across the bridge, visit small museums, and see monuments honoring reunification efforts on both riverbanks.

End your historical journey at Vinh Moc Tunnels — a complex underground shelter where local villagers lived for years to escape U.S. bombing raids. Watch an optional short documentary, explore the on-site museum, and then head underground to walk through the narrow passageways, family rooms, and hidden exits leading to the sea.

After the final visit, your driver will take you directly to your hotel in Phong Nha. Expect to arrive in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on your pace and time spent at each site.