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REASONS TO RETURN TO VIETNAM

“Failure is a hard word—but no matter how you analyze the War in Vietnam, that's exactly what it was on a national scale. From its covert beginnings, through the bloodiest and darkest days, to its bitter end, this ten-year chapter in American history made little sense—politically, militarily, or economically.”

— The Psychological Effects of the Vietnam War

A soldier wearing glasses and military gear sits outdoors, surrounded by equipment.
Soldier in military gear with helmet and ammo belt
Young man in military-style attire looking thoughtful outdoors.
Soldier wearing a helmet with a toy bull attached
Man in military uniform and camouflage hat in a jungle setting.
Smiling man with a mustache wearing a military uniform in an outdoor setting with tents and soldiers in the background.
Smiling man in military outfit in a forest setting
Soldier wearing headscarf, standing in front of military helicopter in field, with other soldiers in the background.
A soldier in a green military uniform and helmet sitting in a forested area, appearing serious.
A soldier in military uniform and helmet, sitting with a serious expression, holding equipment from a backpack. The background is a blurred outdoor setting.
Man in military-style sleeveless shirt standing outdoors near wooden structure.
Soldier in jungle environment wearing glasses and a military uniform, holding a cup.

Our Approach:

With profound respect for both the American and Vietnamese generations touched by the war, our mission is rooted in a sacred debt to all who made the ultimate sacrifice and never returned home—American service members who fell far from their families, and Vietnamese soldiers and civilians whose lives were taken on their own soil. In solemn tribute to their shared courage and irreplaceable loss, we bring surviving American veterans back to the land where so many perished, so they may stand as living witnesses for their fallen brothers, while creating space for Vietnamese families and communities to remember and honor their own dead in the presence of those who once stood on opposing sides.

Unit-Based Veterans

Each unit-based program reunites a cohort of twenty combat veterans who served together as one tight-knit team, returning them to the exact ground where their brotherhood was forged in fire—where they fought, bled, carried each other, and lost brothers. Standing shoulder to shoulder once more, they engage in raw, peer-led reflection and ritual remembrance, speaking unfiltered truths, bearing witness to one another’s pain, and sharing the weight of memory, guilt, and grief in the only way that truly works: brother to brother. Through this sacred gathering, the unbreakable bond created in combat is not just recalled but actively strengthened and lived, reaffirming the lifelong code that no one gets left behind—not in the fight and not in the aftermath—so every veteran knows his brothers still have his back and those who never came home are forever carried by the ones who did.

Group of men posing in front of stone sign reading "Camp Reasoner"
Group of men posing outdoors, all wearing caps, in a mountainous landscape.
Group of people walking in a natural, lush outdoor setting with foliage in the background, wearing casual clothes and hats.
Group of nine older men hiking in a mountainous landscape, wearing casual outdoor clothing and hats, black and white photo.
Group of twelve men wearing baseball caps and casual clothing, standing outdoors on a concrete path with a mountain and trees in the background. The image is in black and white.
A group of older men posing together outdoors under a tarp, wearing casual clothing and hats, with some identified as veterans.
Group of elderly men standing in front of the entrance to Hoa Lo Prison, also known as Maison Centrale, in Hanoi, Vietnam. The entrance is a historic site with signage related to the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit.
Group of nine men posing in a forest, black and white photo, surrounded by trees and roots.

Non-Unit-Based Veterans

For veterans who lost touch with their units and brothers-in-arms yet still feel the pull to return to Vietnam, we offer a quiet journey of healing. This small, respectful gathering lets you revisit the places that shaped you, stand in silence for those who never came home, speak their names when ready, and gently release the ghosts of war—grief, guilt, and memories carried alone for decades. With others who truly understand, you can find peace, honor the fallen, and rediscover a sense of belonging rooted in duty, sacrifice, and country. You are welcome here, exactly as you are.

“Walking the same battlefield where so many fought and fell—despite the erasure of history—brings a profound sense of inner peace. It reawakens the brotherhood forged in combat and offers an indescribable satisfaction that comes only from returning to this sacred ground more than half a century later.”

— Jim LAWRENCE, (1965) IaDrang Valley

UPCOMING DEPLOYMENTS

  • A group of children and a man looking at a Vietnamese phrasebook outdoors. The man and children seem engaged and curious. Wood and other materials are visible in the background.

    I-Corps

    The next units scheduled for deployment to I-Corps comprise veterans of the First Marine Division, as well as personnel from the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division and First Cavalry Division.

  • Black and white photo of a group standing under a rustic shelter. A man in a t-shirt and camouflage pants has his arm around a young boy. Surrounding them are several other children wearing hats, with trees visible in the background.

    II-Corps

    The next groups scheduled to return to II Corps include veterans from the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and elements of the 7th Cavalry Regiment.

  • The Vietnam War - Return to Vietnam with National Charity

    III-Corps

    The next groups scheduled to return to III-Corps include veterans of the U.S. Army Medical Corps, the 25th Infantry Division, the 1st Infantry Division, and the 9th Infantry Division.

  • IV-Corps

    The next groups scheduled to return to IV-Corps include veterans of the U.S. Navy SEALs, the Brown Water Navy, and personnel who participated in Operation Market Time.

“My journey back to Vietnam marked the most profound phase of healing since the war. Walking the battlefields alongside both former allies and once-enemy soldiers proved deeply cathartic—offering reconciliation, reflection, and a measure of peace long overdue.”

— Mike STOKEY, (1966), Combat Correspondence

  • For many veterans, the Vietnam War 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 Vietnam War. 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

YOUR STORY MATTERS.

Your return can bring healing,

understanding, and connection.

APPLY TODAY