Your Travelmates guide will meet you at 8:00am for departure from Ho Chi Minh City for the approximately two-hour drive east to Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province.

Upon arrival in Ba Ria, continue a short distance to the former base of the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat, operational between 1966 and 1971. Although the area has since returned to agricultural use, key locations can still be identified, including SAS Hill and former artillery positions. Your guide will provide historical context on the Australian and New Zealand presence in former Phuoc Tuy Province, explaining the strategic significance of Nui Dat during the conflict. Proceed to the Long Tan Cross, located within a rubber plantation near the site of the Battle of Long Tan (18 August 1966). Here, 18 Australian soldiers lost their lives during one of the most significant engagements involving Australian forces in Vietnam. The current memorial cross, installed with Vietnamese approval in 1986, serves as a place of quiet remembrance for many visiting families, particularly around ANZAC Day.

You will also visit the nearby Nui Dat Horseshoe, a natural horseshoe-shaped hill that functioned as a defensive artillery position, offering insight into the geography that shaped military operations in the area. The drive continues through the scenic Long Hai Hills, once an area of strategic importance due to its elevated terrain and dense vegetation.

After the historical visits, continue to the coastal city of Vung Tau, which served as a major rest and recreation centre for allied forces during the war. Today, Vung Tau is a relaxed seaside destination known for its beaches, harbour views and colonial-era landmarks.

Visit the former French colonial residence known as the White Palace, built in the early 20th century as a retreat for French governors. Continue to the Christ of Vung Tau, one of Vietnam’s tallest statues, offering panoramic views over the coastline for those who wish to climb.

Conclude with a walk along the harbour area before commencing the return drive to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the late afternoon.