Riding the rails on a bucket list-worthy trip across Vietnam doesn’t have to feel complicated.
That’s thanks to a new trip from tour operator Railbookers, which brings travelers on two different overnight train journeys visiting four of Vietnam’s top destinations. The 11-day Classic Vietnam itinerary combines overnight train rides from Hanoi to Hue, and from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City with hotel stays in four popular cities across the country.
Begin the journey in Hanoi, spending the first three nights of trip in a luxury hotel there, like the five-star Pan Pacific Hanoi. Use the luxe property as a home base to explore picturesque Ha Long Bay, where emerald waters are pierced by thousands of limestone islands, along with Hoa Lu, the capital of ancient Vietnam. Hoa Lu is home to several ancient temples and hosts a festival in the third lunar month of each year.
Travelers then board the Reunification Express, a scenic train route that traces its history back to 1936, allowing the train ride to lull them to sleep on an overnight journey from Hanoi to Hue. After an evening in a cozy private sleeper cabin, passengers can explore what’s left of Hue’s imperial citadel, ancient royal tombs, and elaborate pagodas. Next, road trip to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass, a stunning 13-mile mountain pass and one of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives.
There, travelers can learn the secrets of Vietnamese cooking during a small-group cooking class in Hoi An, take a walking tour, and then hop back on board the Reunification Express to Ho Chi Minh City. After arriving, travelers will head out on a guided sightseeing tour of the country’s vibrant metropolis full of towering modern skyscrapers and traditional French colonial architecture before embarking on a day trip to see the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels.
Back in the city, travelers will settle into luxury accommodations, like the Caravelle Saigon Hotel, a glamorous property across from the Saigon Opera House that first opened in 1959 and whose rooftop bar became a preferred hangout of international journalists during the Vietnam War.
Each trip starts at $2,839 per person, and includes all airport, hotel, and train station transfers, several experiences and sightseeing tours along the way, and accommodations both on the train and in hotels. Railbookers journeys are customizable as well so travelers can choose their own accommodation, add extra nights to their trip, and more.