In 1963, amidst tense relations with Buddhism that may face international backlash, the Ngo family try to find a way around the situation, calling on Luan for missions worth his life. Saigon is heated. A coup may be under preparations. Tran Le Xuan goes on a diplomatic tour of Western nations, determined to clear names.

A young wife journeys to North Vietnam in an effort to find her husband, an American flier reported missing in action, and is joined by a cynical Canadian correspondent on the trail of a human interest story.