How to Begin:

  • Black and white photo of nine older men posed in a dense forest with trees and roots.

    Step #1:

    Letter of Introduction:

    Begin your Return to Vietnam application with a brief email introduction outlining your branch, unit, service dates, duties, and Vietnam locations. Share why you wish to return and your commitment to honoring those who never came home throughout the journey.

  • Directional road sign for Veterans Home and Veterans Cemetery against a cloudy sky backdrop.

    Step #2:

    Health and Readiness Requirement:

    Veterans must be in excellent health and submit medical records with physician clearance. Because the journey can be physically and emotionally demanding, participants must be fully prepared, accept personal responsibility, and be capable of meeting all travel and program requirements.

  • Peace and reconciliation on your return to Vietnam, a program by the Return to Vietnam initiative.

    Step #3:

    Respect the Mission:

    Return to Vietnam is a mission of honor, remembrance, and responsibility. Participants must approach the journey with humility and respect, serving as advocates for the fallen and honoring their sacrifice through dignity, integrity, and thoughtful conduct at every stage.

Costs of Participation

No eligible Veteran should be prevented from returning to Viet Nam because of cost. Participation is fully funded, including round-trip international airfare, accommodations, meals, and ground transportation. By removing every financial and logistical barrier, we allow Veterans to focus entirely on what matters most: honoring those who never came home, confronting memories carried for decades, reconnecting with the places and people forever shaped by war, and seeking the healing and peace they have long deserved.

  • For many veterans, the War in Vietnam remains a profoundly personal chapter of their lives. Their return is not a matter of travel, but a pilgrimage of healing and remembrance—a chance to confront the past, honor fallen comrades, and seek peace. In these moments of reflection and renewed brotherhood, time becomes a bridge from sorrow toward healing and reconciliation.

  • This program is exclusively for combat veterans of the War in Vietnam. It is dedicated to organizing meaningful reunions that honor those who served in combat and who meet the established eligibility criteria as verified through their DD-214 military discharge documents. We appreciate your understanding and your commitment to preserving the integrity of this veteran-centered initiative.

  • To ensure the success of this important mission, the organization operates under a structured framework emphasizing coordination, readiness, and accountability. Each participating unit must designate a primary liaison to oversee communication and logistics, and assemble a roster of 20 highly qualified combat veterans who demonstrate exceptional physical fitness, hold valid passports, and show unwavering dedication to the mission’s objectives. 

  • All deployments are thoughtfully planned to span twelve days, providing participants with the time and space needed for meaningful reflection and connection. This carefully structured itinerary balances visits to significant locations with opportunities for quiet introspection, enabling veterans to revisit the places that shaped their service and their lives. The experience is designed to foster healing, strengthen camaraderie, and support personal resolution. By creating a respectful and supportive environment, we strive to help each veteran process the past, reconnect with fellow participants, and find renewed peace along the journey.

  • Each itinerary is thoughtfully crafted around your wartime experiences, providing a deeply immersive and restorative journey that honors the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. These travels return you to the specific regions where you and your unit once served, creating a powerful and personal connection between past and present. Walking these historic grounds offers a profound opportunity to revisit your own story—gaining deeper insight into the landscapes, challenges, and defining moments that shaped both your service and your life’s journey.

  • To honor the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans, the initiative pairs veterans of post-Vietnam conflicts—such as Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq—with Vietnam veterans on return journeys to Vietnam. This meaningful program establishes a respectful intergenerational bridge, fostering shared reflection, mutual understanding, and lasting bonds of service. By bringing together those who served in different eras, the initiative promotes healing, honors collective sacrifice, and strengthens the enduring legacy of courage carried forward across generations.

  • Each return journey to Vietnam is supported by a dedicated team committed to ensuring your safety, comfort, and peace of mind. Many team members are fellow combat veterans who understand the significance and emotional weight of your return. With medical, logistical, and production professionals accompanying you throughout the experience, every aspect of the journey is guided with respect, dignity, and a spirit of quiet reflection.

  • The answer is no. The Battlefield Repatriation Initiative is strictly limited to combat veterans who served together as comrades in arms. This eligibility requirement is non-negotiable and central to the integrity and purpose of the program. We expect and appreciate your understanding and respect for these parameters.

  • Your return to Vietnam will be provided at no cost, in recognition of your distinguished service and in keeping with our enduring commitment to honor those who served in combat. All aspects of the journey—including international travel, accommodations, and program-related expenses—will be fully covered. This comprehensive support is intended to allow you to focus solely on what truly matters: paying tribute to your service, honoring the fallen, and reflecting on the enduring legacy you share with your fellow veterans.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS