Page 45 - Explore Spring Summer 2019

The full 12-day Vietnam Past & Present From Vietnam to the Western Front, to Gallipoli and all across the South
Pacific, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours conducts tours with the unique
Tour takes you across the entire country, advantage of having historians leading them. The historians can undertake
an in-depth check of the military background of family members who served
including Saigon, the Cu Chi Tunnels, in the area you are visiting, and we were privileged to be shown the actual
locations of Sue’s father’s base and his areas of conflict. It provides a very
Vung Tau, Minh Dam, Binh Ba, the former personal focus and is an impressive facet of the Mat McLachlan Battlefield
Tours product.
imperial capital of Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang The controversy of the Vietnam War was the topic of many a song of
and Hanoi. disapproval from global artists such as The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix,
Bob Dylan, and Jimmy Barnes, with perhaps The Animals' We Gotta Get out
While the Vietnam War remains raw for some, others who have returned of This Place being most well-recognised. Yes, it is a solemn subject in some
there have gained peace from their experience, including Mat McLachlan respects, but it is also enlightening to see a country that is pushing hard
Battlefield Tours’ Vietnam Historian, Gary McKay. A Vietnam veteran and for prosperity, and eye-opening to learn about the challenges that were
platoon leader who was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery, Gary faced by the Anzacs in Vietnam in extreme conditions both on and under the
has led many Australian Vietnam veterans, as well as their families, back to ground. It is difficult to fathom the harshness that this war created, but the
the Vietnam battlefields. For Sue and me, it was an honour to follow in the beauty of the country, its people and the progress they are making will see
footsteps of Sue’s father. us returning very soon. Vietnam needs to be seen to be appreciated.

Paul Robinson is helloworld Travel’s New Zealand Ambassador for Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours and can assist with all aspects of Mat McLachlan Tours products.

Paul & Sue Robinson, co-owners of helloworld Travel Whitianga, Rolleston, Whanganui and Blenheim,
recently explored the Anzac involvement in Vietnam and the incredible beauty and culture of this vibrant country.

HELLOWORLD TRAVEL : EXPLORE : SPRING/SUMMER EDITION 43