Vietnam by Rail
Ho Chi Minh City - Vung Tau - Nha Trang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Halong BayDon’t miss this chance to discover Vietnam by rail! Travel from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on the South China Sea to Hanoi along the line of the ‘Reunification Express’, one of the most fascinating rail routes in the world.
Join Scott McGregor for this unique journey from Ho Chi Minh City in the south, following the scenic coastline of Vietnam and the course of the Red River to Hanoi, in the north. Travel in the comfort of privately chartered sleeping carriages, in which you spend 3 nights, and your own dining / lounge car. Other nights are spent in comfortable four- and five-star hotels. Enjoy a number of great rail experiences on the ‘Reunification Express’ such as the spectacular Hai Van Pass, the huge rock formations at Tam Coc and the vast historic Gia Lam railway workshops in Hanoi.
On the way, discover the rich culture of Vietnam with its ancient kingdoms, grand colonial architecture, fascinating ethnic diversity and triumphant post war reconstruction, not to mention the legendary food, friendly people and excellent shopping.
Scott McGregor with locals on a Vietnamese train
Vietnam by Rail map
ITINERARY
Thu 23 Feb / Australia – Ho Chi Minh City
Morning departure from SYD/MEL on Vietnam Airlines flight, arriving in Ho Chi Minh City mid-afternoon. Transfer to your hotel on arrival. Tonight join Scott McGregor and fellow tour members for a special welcome dinner. (D)
Fri 24 Feb / Ho Chi Minh City – Vung Tau
Travel south to My Tho on the Mekong River and gateway to the Mekong Delta, South Vietnam’s agricultural heart. Explore the Delta and its canals by boat, sampan and canoe. Return to Ho Chi Minh City mid-afternoon and travel via hydrofoil boat to the beautiful resort town of Vung Tau. (BLD)
Sat 25 Feb / Vung Tau – Ho Chi Minh City
After a short coach tour of the city centre of Vung Tau, visit some of the Vietnam War sites that have a great importance for Australians. See the Long Tan Cross and visit the Nui Dat area, the base of Australian operations during the war. Visit the Australian-sponsored Ba Ria orphanage, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City mid-afternoon. (BL).
Sun 26 Feb / Ho Chi Minh City – Overnight Train
Your exploration of Ho Chi Minh City starts with a visit to the old Presidential Palace, now known as the Reunification Palace, the twin-steepled Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Post Office. Explore Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling Chinatown and its market. This is the most colourful corner of the city with a lively atmosphere and mysterious temples.
Afternoon at leisure, before the transfer to Saigon Railway Station. Embark on your private train carriages for your first overnight journey to Nha Trang.
Officially the Vietnam North-South Railway, the ‘Reunification Express’ runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi with a total length of 1,726 km and a gauge of 1 metre. The railway was inaugurated in 1936 by the French colonists as part of their railway network in French Indochina. After the division of Vietnam in 1954 into the communist North and anti-communist South, the railway was bisected at Hien Luong Bridge. During the Vietnam War, the railway was the target of bombardment by both North Vietnam and South Vietnam. After the Fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975, Vietnam was reunited and so was the railway. On 31 December 1976, the severely war-torn railway was fully restored and put back into operation. (BD)
Mon 27 Feb / Arrive Nha Trang
This morning disembark in Nha Trang, Vietnam’s most picturesque coastal town. Palm trees line the dazzling, fine white sands and clear waters of the city’s gently curving bay. After checking in to your hotel, take a boat trip to the Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Hon Mieu Island followed by lunch on Hon Tre (Bamboo Island). Afternoon at leisure to relax by the beach or the hotel pool, or take a cyclo-ride along the promenade. (BL)
Tue 28 Feb / Nha Trang – Overnight Train
This morning rise early to practice Tai Chi with the locals on the beach before breakfast. Then visit the striking Long Son Pagoda, founded in the late 19th century, with its giant seated Buddha. Continue to the Po Nagar, the best preserved Cham towers in central Vietnam.
Afternoon at leisure. Why not enjoy a mud soak and bath at the Thap Ba Hot Spring mud bath, or visit Dam market?
After an early dinner, board your train carriages again this evening and head north to Danang. (BD)
Wed 29 Feb / Arrive Danang – Hoi An
After disembarkation in Danang and breakfast, transfer to Hoi An via Marble Mountain, a cluster of five hills rising sharply from the surrounding rice fields and featuring a number of caves, grottoes and Buddhist temples.
The World Heritage listed town of Hoi An was one of South-East Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries used by Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese and Chinese traders. Perhaps more than any other place in Vietnam, Hoi An retains the feel of bygone days. Later this afternoon, take a leisurely walking tour through the ancient town centre including the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, the Hoi An Museum of History & Culture, and visit a silk factory. (BD)
Thu 01 Mar / Hoi An
Day at leisure to further explore this beautiful town. Hoi an is a bargain hunter’s paradise, renowned for its wonderful tailors, delightful silk lampshades and a variety of other traditional Vietnamese handicrafts. (B)
Fri 02 Mar / Hoi An
This morning visit the World Heritage Site of My Son, the former capital of the Kingdom of Champa and the site of Vietnam’s most important Cham ruins. It is a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works, including temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. The towers date from the 9th through to the 13th centuries. Afternoon at leisure. (BL)
Sat 03 Mar / Hoi An – Hue
This morning transfer to Danang by coach and board your private carriages to travel to Hue – by day – via the scenic Hai Van Pass. This spectacular trip is considered one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. In The Great Railway Bazaar, Paul Theroux said about the journey “Of all the places the railway had taken me since London (Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent), this was the loveliest.”
Hue acted as Vietnam’s political and royal capital during the 19th century, and to this day remains one of the countries most important cultural and religious centres. Perhaps more than any other city, Hue reflects the former glory of the nation of Vietnam. The Perfume River, which divides the city, has for centuries been the inspiration of artists and poets alike. This afternoon, take a boat trip along the Perfume River and visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest monastery in Hue dating back to the 17th century. A cyclo-tour of Hue in the early evening will take you to a local restaurant for an entertaining dinner. (BLD)
Sun 04 Mar / Hue – Overnight Train
This morning’s city tour of Hue includes the Royal Citadel, home of the emperors, modelled after Beijing’s Forbidden City and today a World Heritage Site, and the tombs of the Nguyen emperors.
This afternoon board your private carriages again and travel north, enjoying a spectacular coastal and rural scenery and sunset, followed by an ‘Aussie picnic dinner’ on the train. (BLD)
Mon 05 Mar / Arrive Ninh Binh – Hanoi
Early morning arrival in Ninh Binh, in the Red River Delta. After breakfast at a local restaurant, visit the region surrounding Hoa Lu, a little valley characterised by lotus flower lakes, vast rice paddies and evergreen untouched forests. By sampan, visit Tam Coc caves, a flat paddy field surrounded by towering ranges of limestone mountains and aptly called ‘Halong Bay on the ricefields’.
Later this morning resume your journey by coach through the verdant countryside to Hanoi. Vietnam’s capital has that attractive aura of a city with a long and diverse culture and history. It is a graceful city of serene lakes, tree-lined boulevards, elegant squares and leafy public parks. Afternoon and evening at leisure. (BL)
Tue 06 Mar / Hanoi
Full day tour of Hanoi, starting with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace, former residence of the French Governor of Indochina. See the One Pillar Pagoda, an elegant wooden structure built in 1049 that sits on stilts over a lake; it is said to represent a lotus emerging from the water. Conclude your morning tour with a visit to the ancient Temple of Literature. Initially built as a Confucian Temple by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, it became Vietnam’s earliest university in 1076.
This afternoon, visit the vast old world industrial complex of Gia Lam railway workshops.
Evening performance of the extraordinary Water Puppets, Vietnam’s most famous performance art form, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. (BD)
Wed 07 Mar / Hanoi – Halong Bay
Morning drive from Hanoi to Halong (190 km, approx. 3.5 hr). Board a traditional ‘junk’ for an afternoon cruise and overnight on Halong Bay, which harbours a stunning scenery of limestone islands and islets. Halong Bay, or ‘Bay of the Descending Dragon’, with its 3,000 islands rising from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of the natural marvels of Vietnam. Sail around the bay to find secluded areas to either swim or kayak in and visit a floating fishing village. In the evening the cook prepares a sumptuous meal whilst at anchor in the heart of the bay. Overnight on board. (BLD)
Thu 08 Mar / Halong Bay – Hanoi
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay, relax on board the boat or visit the Surprise Cave, one of the finest and widest grottoes of Halong Bay. Return to the main harbour at midday and drive back to Hanoi. Afternoon at leisure.
Tonight celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a farewell dinner with Scott McGregor. (BD)
Fri 09 Mar / Depart Hanoi
Morning at leisure for some last minute shopping. Early afternoon transfer to Hanoi Airport for departure on overnight Vietnam Airlines flight to Australia. (B)
Sat 10 Mar / Arrive Australia
Morning arrival in SYD/MEL.
| ABOUT THE PRIVATE RAIL CARRIAGES The rail cars are fully air-conditioned and feature double-glazed windows, western style toilets & wash rooms and each compartment has two lower beds with daily fresh bed linen & towels, complimentary water and fresh flowers. The dining car is the perfect venue to engage in conversation with your fellow travellers or simply relax and enjoy a drink as you watch the ever changing landscape pass by. The same crew will remain with our rail cars throughout your journey. Upon reaching each of the various stopover destinations, your private sleeping and dining cars are disconnected and moved to a siding and secured to await your return. |
Sleeper Cabin
Dining Car
Dining Car, external view
