PATHS ONCE TAKEN
A Vietnam Journey of Remembrance, Connection & Discovery
March 16–27, 2027
For many Vietnam veterans, returning to Vietnam is not simply a vacation. It is a return to places, memories, and experiences that helped shape a lifetime.
The Special Operations Association Foundation invites Vietnam Special Operations and Special Forces veterans, their families, and supporters to join Paths Once Taken, a special journey through Vietnam designed around remembrance, history, camaraderie, and discovery.
Vietnam today is very different from the country our veterans knew more than fifty years ago. This journey offers an opportunity to revisit historic locations with dignity, remember those who did not come home, reconnect with fellow veterans, and experience the beauty, culture, and resilience of the Vietnamese people.
Following Paths Once Taken
The journey will include locations closely connected to the American experience in Vietnam, along with opportunities to experience the country as it is today.
Among the planned highlights are:
- Saigon — VIP fast-track arrival
- War Remnants Museum and Burning Monk Memorial
- Cu Chi Tunnels, including a river approach
- Son Tra (Monkey Mountain) — including FOB 4 and the former radar base
- Hanoi Hilton
- Temple of Literature
- Hoi An cultural experience
- Overnight cruise through Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay
- Guided visits to former military locations, historic operational areas, and remembrance sites
- Opportunities for veterans and families to reflect and share the experience together
The Foundation program combines wartime history with cultural experiences in Saigon, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hanoi, and other locations throughout Vietnam.
What Is Included
The current package includes:
- Round-trip international airfare from Los Angeles (LAX) to Vietnam
- In-country flights
- 4-star hotel accommodations
- Ground transportation and boat tours
- Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
- 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 4 dinners
- English-speaking guides
- Entrance fees and scheduled tour activities
- Group support, including representatives of the SOA Foundation
The Foundation announcement notes that guides and activities have been selected with veteran history and remembrance in mind.
Cost
$4,460 per person, all inclusive
The advertised price is available through December 7, 2026.
More Than a Tour
For those who served in Vietnam, some of these places carry names and memories that never disappeared.
Paths Once Taken provides an opportunity to return — this time with friends, family members, and fellow Special Operations veterans who understand what those places mean.
As Doc Padgett, formerly of SOG/CCC, put it:
“This journey honors your service, your stories, and your legacy. Vietnam today is a place of peace, beauty, and welcome — and we invite you to experience it with fellow SOG and SF veterans who understand the path you’ve walked.”
Learn More
For complete trip information, registration details, and updates, visit: