VIETNAM RAIL ADVENTURE
15 days/14 nights
Max group 12
Lifetime Deposit
15 DAY ADVENTURE from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Come travel on the transport and freight ‘lifeblood’ of Vietnam – along the segments of the Reunification Express that will leave you both in awe and inspired. Travel along cliff-top sea view tracks, into tunnels framed with jungle, down iconic ‘Train Street’ and through magazine-famous mountain passes.
You’ll experience both Vietnam’s best, and its secret-best! Have heartfelt moments with locals, eat your way through incredible food, browse the produce at colourful markets, explore a melting pot of architectural styles and stay in gorgeous and boutique accommodation.
Vietnam’s trains are a slow traveller’s piece-de-resistance, so sit back and enjoy the ride in the company of no more than 12 in your group. All those people flying across the country have no clue what they’re missing!
Dates
November 2024
BOOKED OUT
Starts: Hanoi, November 1, 2024
Finishes: – Ho Chi Minh, November 16, 2024
Price – $8,866 AUD (per person twin share)
Single supplement: $2,076 AUD
February 2025
NEW DATE
Start: 7 February 2025
Finish: 21 February 2025
Price: $9,365 AUD per person (twin share)
Private Supplement: $2,359 AUD per person
NEW DATE
Start: 21 February 2025
Finish: 7 March 2025
Price: $9,365 AUD per person (twin share)
Private Supplement: $2,359 AUD per person
Trip Breakdown
Trip length
15 days, 14 nights
Price
According to departure date
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- $1,900 AUD deposit, per person
- 2-week cooling-off period applies
- Lifetime deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips
- Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
- Private supplement available (see above)
Tip Kitty: $210 AUD
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Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Meeting point
GM Premium Hotel, Hanoi
Ending point
Hotel Des Arts, Ho Chi Minh City
Group size
Maximum 12 people.
Inclusions
- Meals: 14 breakfasts, 1 Brunch, 7 lunches and 8 dinners
- List transport: 5 x trains, 1 x Overnight Cruise, 4x full day private air-conditioned transportation and all private transportation transfers listed.
- 12 nights boutique and premium accommodation, 1 night cruise, 1 night overnight train
- 1 top-rated tour leader throughout and specialist guides along the way.
- All listed activities and more!
Exclusions
- International flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Any visas required
- Late check-out at hotels
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks with included lunches and dinners
- Tip kitty (See FAQs for more information)
- Personal expenditure
Have a group?
Contact us and we can arrange a private departure.
Trip Highlights
Ride the Hanoi train through Train Street
Luxury Overnight Cruise in secluded Lan Ha Bay
Foodie Tour in Hue aboard a pedal powered rickshaw
The Vietage Luxury Carriage trip
Evening cultural show at the Saigon Opera House
Explore the Mekong Delta
What our Vietnam MagRailers say
Overview
Train Journeys Included
Day 2: Train ride via famous Train Street
Day 5: Overnight train to Dong Hoi
Day 6: Train to Hue, Evening Foodie & Cyclo Tour
Day 8: Train to Hoi An
Day 10: The Vietage Luxury Train Carriage to Quy Nhon
Accommodation Preview
All Accommodation on this trip is 4 and 5 stars. Here are some examples:
GM PREMIUM HOTEL - (2 NIGHTS)
ALLEGRO HOI AN RESORT - (2 NIGHTS )
Anantara Quy Nhon Villas - (2 NIGHTS)
Trip Summary
| Trip Summary | B | Br | L | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Welcome to Vietnam! | ||||
| Day 2 | Explore Hanoi Like a local, Train ride via famous Train Street | ||||
| Day 3 | Lan Ha Bay Cruise, Sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin | ||||
| Day 4 | Light and and Dark Cave tour | ||||
| Day 4.5 | Overnight train to Dong Hoi | ||||
| Day 5 | Phong Nha Cave visit, leisure time at The Lake House | ||||
| Day 6 | Train to Hue, Evening Foodie & Cyclo Tour | ||||
| Day 7 | Hue City Tour, Visit local village in the afternoon | ||||
| Day 8 | Train to Hoi An, Walking Tour of the Old Town | ||||
| Day 9 | Farm to Plate Bicycle Tour, Rest of the day at leisure | ||||
| Day 10 | The Vietage Luxury Train Carriage to Quy Nhon | ||||
| Day 11 | Tour of Quy Nhon | ||||
| Day 12 | Flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Cultural performance at the Saigon Opera House | ||||
| Day 13 | Cu Chi Tunnels tour | ||||
| Day 14 | The Mekong Delta Cruise | ||||
| Day 15 | Farewell Friends |
Trip Map
2025 Itinerary
Day 1: HANOI
Welcome to Vietnam! Your VIP treatment starts right away. One of our team will meet you as you exit the plane and guide you through the immigration process. They’ll even help you retrieve your luggage – when does that ever happen? Once you’re through immigration, they’ll deliver you safely into the hands of your guide, who will whisk you directly to the hotel.
Tonight, get to know the group over dinner for the first catch up – at one of our favourite local restaurants, of course!
ACCOMMODATION: GM Premium Hotel – Deluxe room (or similar)
INCLUDED: Dinner
Day 2: THE OLD QUARTER
Early mornings in Hanoi are all about makeshift market stalls and boisterous coffee houses. So, let’s skip the hotel breakfast and fill up on crusty baguettes stuffed with fresh ingredients, as you explore Hanoi like a local with your guide. Here’s a tip! Try the local (Vietnamese recipe) iced coffee, or the egg coffee if you dare – these are unique to Vietnam.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter has been around for more than 1000 years, and while you wander along its cobblestone lanes today, you’ll catch the heady scent of incense wafting from ancestral temples, and come to understand how the city’s many cultural incarnations contribute to its eclectic charm. Wrap up the day over a relaxing drink in a neighbourhood Bia Hoi or Beerhall.
ACCOMMODATION: GM Premium Hotel – Deluxe room (or similar)
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3: LAN HA BAY
Cruising on Halong Bay is on plenty of travellers’ bucket lists. But have you heard of Lan Ha Bay? It’s remote compared to its celebrity neighbour, has scenery that is just as jaw-dropping, and best of all, none of the tourist hordes!
You’ll transfer by road after breakfast and set sail by lunchtime on The Heritage Cruise. Join in with the deserted-beach and water-cave excursions, make use of the onboard kayaks, or just relax on your cabin’s private balcony, cocktail in hand, watching the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.
ACCOMMODATION: Heritage Cruise – Ocean Cabin (or similar)
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: LAN HA BAY AND SLEEPER TRAIN
Early risers can join the Vovinam (Vietnam’s martial arts) class on the sundeck. Then jump aboard a traditional rowboat to go into the Light and Dark Cave. You’ll glide through the cave’s opening which is framed by fig trees and orchids, and into its silent darkness, only to be bathed in light once more when you pop out the other side and into the hidden lagoon.
After Brunch, it’s time to say your goodbyes to the Heritage crew and reunite with your guide and driver for the last road transfer of the trip. This afternoon you’re back in Hanoi with just enough time to stretch your legs and maybe pick up that last minute Hanoian souvenir.
Day 4.5: OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO DONG
After a local restaurant dinner with your fellow MagRailers, it’s All Aboard your first ride on Vietnam’s Reunification Express: Hanoi to Phong Nha. Yep – your first long-haul train ride is a sleeper! They’re 4 berthed shared compartments with toilets at the end of the carriage. But if you fancy a little privacy, private berths can be arranged!
INCLUDED: Brunch and Dinner
Day 5: PHONG NHA
The train should pull into Dong Hoi Station around 6am and your room will already be prepared for you at the Lake House. Take a rest, and breakfast at your leisure, before regrouping later to visit Phong Nha Cave. As the riverboat chugs along the Son River, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped back in time. This prehistoric-like landscape is backdrop-perfection to riverside villages barely changed in centuries. And the sound of children playing on the riverbank will joyfully echo in your memory long after you’re back at home.
The entrance to the cave is literally a hole at the base of a towering limestone cliff and your boat will glide right on through. The underground river system stretches for kilometres, but your boat will moor, so you can tread the boardwalk to be closer to the ancient stalactite and rock formations.
Then, back to the Lake House – be sure to use some of your leisure time later today relaxing on your private lakeside balcony.
ACCOMMODATION: Phong Nha Lake House, Bungalow with lake view, or similar
INCLUDED: Breakfast
Day 6: HUE
Today’s train to Hue is a three-hour ride on a local train. These trains aren’t known for their punctuality, and there’s nothing further planned today except check-in and, of course, dinner – so why not say hi to some local fellow travellers and sit back and enjoy the ride.
Did somebody mention dinner?
Vietnamese food is to Hue, like Pizza is to Naples – it’s the traditional home of much of Vietnam’s deliciousness. So tonight, we’ve planned our favourite food tour of all! What an enjoyable rush as your cyclo-driver skilfully manoeuvres his rickshaw along tiny alleyways to the best street-food venues in town! Your tastebuds will do a merry dance trying treats like Hue’s crispy savoury pancakes and for your sweet tooth, the sweet soups are surprisingly delicious.
ACCOMMODATION: Eldora Hotel, Deluxe City View Room, or similar
INCLUDED: Breakfast box and Dinner Food Tour
Day 7: HUE
Come out today to see Hue through the eyes of a local. Your neighbourhood guide will share childhood stories about life during the war and intimate family history as you’re led down side-streets abuzz with local life. Then travel by boat to a riverside village whose families have created bronze pieces since the 1500s.
Enjoy your leisure time tonight – your hotel is well situated to wander out and explore the nearby neighbourhoods and local restaurants. It may be that you decide to track down one of your favourite food spots from last night’s feasting for one more serve of your favourite dish!
ACCOMMODATION: Eldora Hotel, Deluxe City View Room, or similar
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: HOI AN
The train leaves for Da Nang at 9am. The trip should only take around 2.5 hours, but gazing out the window as the train crawls along Hai Van Pass – coastline drama to your left, mountains to your right – you’ll be hoping that time slows. Not surprisingly, this part of the journey features regularly in those ‘10 best’ travel lists we all read. Train trip finished, Hoi An is a 45-minute road transfer from Da Nang Station.
Hoi An. Yes, it’s a tourist hotspot. It’s also a must-see, so we’ve made sure your experience is not a generic one. But first, you need to see what everyone else comes for, and on this afternoon’s walking tour of the old town, you’ll discover why its UNESCO Heritage status is well deserved.
ACCOMMODATION: Allegro Hoi An resort, Junior Suite room (or similar)
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: HOI AN
By now your love for Vietnamese food will be an obsession and today you can nurture that along even more! The group will head out on bicycles to follow a food trail – from farm to plate. (Again, it’s an easy ride, but you’re welcome to travel by car.) You’ll meet friendly market stallholders selling local ingredients and farmers who grow them just nearby. At the end, you’ll connect with your chef, learn about cooking, and get to share the spoils over lunch. No previous cooking experience required!
The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Spend it in your splendid accommodation or wander through the old town. It’s user friendly – there’s even an Irish Pub if you’re feeling like a change of scene!
ACCOMMODATION: Allegro Hoi An resort, Junior Suite room (or similar)
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10: THE VIETAGE LUXURY CARRIAGE TO QUY NHON
There’s an early checkout and breakfast is served in a box, but that’s of no consequence today, because for the rest of the day, you’ll be travelling in luxury. The Vietage carriage departs with the southbound Reunification Express from Da Nang at 8am, and your group will have it all to yourselves – a fitting finale to your train rides!
Once onboard, you’re welcome to sit at the bar – for a specialty coffee, of course! Or settle into your window seat and watch central Vietnam amble by, outside. Keep an eye out for the ruins of the Hindu Champa Kingdom from the 4th century. There’s lunch onboard too, but not just any old lunch. Today it’s first-class all the way!
Today’s journey ends at the oh-so-swish Vietage partner hotel in the resort town of Quy Nhon. Dinner’s arranged at the hotel tonight – that’s if you can drag yourself away from your ocean view villa and its private pool!!
ACCOMMODATION: Anantara Quy Nhon resort, Oceanview Pool Villa
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: QUY NHON
Fancy a lie-in today? Be our guest! In the afternoon the group will meet up for a tour around the district. Ancient buildings like the one you spotted from the train yesterday are scattered around the landscape and they’re known as Cham Towers. Built at least 1,000 years ago, some are still visited for worshipping today.
Wrap up the day with dinner at a local restaurant. The seafood is so fresh here!
ACCOMMODATION: Anantara Quy Nhon resort, Oceanview Pool Villa
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12: HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
You’re out the door after breakfast to catch your flight to Ho Chi Min City. Why fly this leg, I hear you ask? (How dare we avoid the train!) Well, the reason turns out to be simple: there’s just not a lot to see along the way. And it would be a non-stop, arduous, 13-or-more-hour stint on a train that’s at the untidy end of a very long journey.
After the laidback countryside, you’ll instantly feel the big-city energy of Ho Chi Min. It’s the business heart that drives the nation, but it has its traditional neighbourhoods too, if you know where to look. Check into your hotel and head out to explore with your guide. Stops include The War Museum and Saigon Railway Station. We’d like to say we’ve arranged a ride on Ho Chi Min City’s brand-new subway line, but completion dates have been set and reset since 2018, so let’s just wait and see. Tonight, you’re off to a unique cultural performance at the Saigon Opera House!
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Des Arts, Deluxe room (or similar)
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: CU CHI TUNNELS
We’ve all heard about the tunnels built by Vietnamese guerrillas during Vietnam’s wars for Independence and Reunification, but to see them first-hand will take your appreciation for their ingenuity to a different level – especially when you see the smokeless kitchen, designed by an army chef back in 1951. Spending a little time underground in the tunnels will give you more insight into wartime survival in Vietnam.
After lunch, the group will head back to Ho Chi Min and the rest of the afternoon is for your choosing. Why not watch the sunset over the city, cocktail in hand, on the terrace of a nearby rooftop bar. Turtle Park is just a short stroll from the hotel too, which livens up each night when locals flock to the pop-up street-food stalls.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Des Arts, Deluxe room (or similar)
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 14: THE MEKONG DELTA
The saddest part of today is when you wake up and realise that you have just one full day remaining. But that one day will be lived to the fullest!
The tentacles of the Mekong’s River Delta reach all the way to the city and you’ll travel along one into the heart of the Delta today. Your boat chugs along while daily life in the south unfolds before you – like a movie with an artistically-perfected film set. As your boat draws into the bank along the way, and later when you travel by bicycle or rickshaw, you too will find yourself in that movie scene – meeting with workers and farmers who openly share with you about their lives. The adventure then finishes by row boat along a palm-lined canal – a most quintessential jungle experience to reach your lunch spot!
There’s enough time this afternoon for packing your case and preparing for dinner. And what a farewell dinner it will be, as you reminisce with your new-found friends and raise cheers to each other and your Vietnam adventure!
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Des Arts, Deluxe room (or similar)
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15: FAREWELL FRIENDS
Swap numbers and emails at breakfast, for it’s time to farewell friends. Your airport transfer is included, and your driver will pick you up 3 hours before your flight departure. Hotel checkout is at noon.
INCLUDED: Breakfast
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:USD exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on these trips is based on the following exchange rates:
23 February 2024 departure: 1 AUD:0.66 USD
1 November 2024 departure: 1 AUD:0.66 USD
A deposit of $1,900 is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made 110 days in advance.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 95 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Australians and New Zealanders require a tourist e-Visa to enter Vietnam, which will cost $25 to $50 USD. When the time comes to apply, we’ll assist with all the info you need.
Your trip has been designed by Mat & Lisa, the two cultural adventure experts behind Magnificent Rail.
Magnificent Rail is brought to you by the same team who built Patch Adventures, a boutique women-only adventure company.
Lisa is a travel guidebook author and photographer. Mat’s first rail journey was an epic adventure through Europe at the age of 13 (accompanied by parents of course.) He has since organised highly successful tours to far-flung destinations around the world. Between them, they have put together this well-balanced adventure for you.
The preparation of this trip has taken months and months of work.
Your trip will be led by local experts that have been selected by our team for their knowledge and experience.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.
For your Vietnam adventure, we ask your contribution be: 3,250,000 VND (equivalent to $210 AUD) to your guide on Day 1. The kitty will be managed by your guide and distributed along the way at restaurants for included meals, hotel staff, drivers, train station porterage and services.
What is not covered is a customary tip at the end of the trip for your guide. If they’ve ensured that your trip is memorable, we recommend the following guidelines:
1,800,000 VND to 2,500,000 VND per person at the end of the trip ($120 – $160 AUD equivalent).
(Exchange Rate used – $1AUD : 15,562 Vietnamese Dong)
Overnight train
On the overnight train, you’ll be allocated a soft sleeper bunk. Each compartment has 4 berths: 2 lower and 2 upper bunks. The compartments are airconditioned and open off a side corridor. They can be securely locked from the inside. You’ll be supplied with a pillow, sheet and duvet. You may keep all your bags with you, and the luggage space is beneath the bottom bunks. Shared toilets (including a sit-down style toilet) are located at the end of each carriage. There is an option to secure a private 4-berth compartment available at $112 AUD per berth.
Day train
Stations have ‘train hosts’ who take responsibility for the luggage on your arrival at the station and stow the luggage onboard a luggage carriage when the train arrives. There is space for carry-on luggage above and below the seats in the carriage. It’s not a dissimilar situation to luggage when you’re travelling by plane.
So long as you have a general level of health and fitness, you’ll be fine. There’s no specific exercise planned for this trip, but there will be days when you’ll be walking and spending a lot of time on your feet. Daily activities may include city walks or a short bicycle tour on flat terrain and getting on and off various forms of transport.
All activities are optional, meaning that if you don’t feel like it, you can skip it, but it will be impossible to enjoy your trip if you’re not able to do a walking tour for a full afternoon. Unfortunately, this tour cannot accommodate people requiring walking aids.
Will we be picked up at the airport?
Yes! One of our friendly team will be waiting for you in the public arrivals area of the airport. You’ll transfer directly to the hotel. The transfer is free and in a private and air-conditioned vehicle, which you will only share if there is anyone else on your flight joining the tour.
When should we arrive?
Try to arrive before midday on the start day, although earlier would be recommendable. If possible, come one day early to settle in. We can organise additional hotel nights for you at cost.
Being tour operators (not travel agents), we are not licensed to sell flights. We recommend contacting your trusted local travel agent to book flights, if you’re in need of assistance.
10kg hand luggage and 23kg checked luggage.
Vietnamese cuisine is a combination of the bitter, sour, spicy, sweet, and salty flavours merged into delicious broth and sauces, while rice comes in different shapes and textures.
Many Vietnamese dishes have been influenced by China. It is also possible to see the legacies left by French colonisation, such as baguette bread and coffee.
YES! We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets no problems, or any variation of the above. Just let us know in advance. Note: this food is often very simple and may get repetitive.
Whether you are a couple, or a couple of friends, or travelling solo, our Magnificent Rail journeys will appeal to anyone who is inspired by the charm of scenic rail travel and wants to see the best of a country.
Our adventures are designed to appeal to those in their 50s, and 60s and early 70s (but of course, everyone is welcome!) Our clients are curious and active, and want to find the magic of travel again, but with some modern comforts in unique and interesting places along the way. They’ve often avoided tours in the past because they’re not attracted to being herded around in large groups.
They prefer insider perspectives and lingering longer in the right places for a deeper experience.
Send us an email at contact@magnificentrail.com.au or give us a call at +61 482 095 648; A deposit is required to reserve your spot.
