Vietnam Train Tour

What to Expect

Besides the commonly used means of transport is the plane, what do you think about the trip across Vietnam by train? Vietnam Railways offers tourists unique travel vacations in Vietnam by the main means of transportation, which is the railway. Especially, this is a great way for your first time traveling to Vietnam. In fact, the journey of the Trans-Vietnam Train takes tourists to visit different beautiful landscapes of provinces and cities across the country. Through time and travel style, Vietnam train journey has different destinations across the country. Just do the Vietnam Railway tours and immerse yourself in the rural landscape from the train.

Highlights

Itinerary

• DAY 01: Hanoi arrival (No meals) (Private car + local guide transfer):

  Xin chào – Welcome to Vietnam – Welcome to Hanoi Capital – a place is considered as a blend between the traditional and the morden beauties.
  Our guide will greet you with a name sign in the arrivals hall of Noi Bai International Airport and transfer you to your hotel to do check-in. After that, you can relax in your room after a long flight. Free time at leisure.
  Overnight in Hanoi.

  No meals

  Private airport car

• DAY 02: Hanoi full day discovery (breakfast)

  In the morning, our guide will meet you at hotel lobby and transfer you to visit at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where keeps the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh president. You will listen to stories about Ho Chi Minh, a great father as well as the first president of Vietnam. You’ll also visit the One Pillar Pagoda, located in Ho Chi Minh Complex, which is actually a group of structures that collectively make up a pagoda built over the water in the middle of a square lake. Continue the day with the next destination, Temple of Literature, the first university on Vietnam. Learn more about Vietnam’s culture and education in the past.
  In the afternoon, visit Museum of Ethnology to get to know more about the ethnology of Vietnam. Located west of the city centre, this museum offers informative and well-documented display on the country’s 54 ethnic groups, include elaborate and colorful hill-tribe costumes, weaving designs, musical instruments, fishing implements, work tools and other functional objects. The display continues on to the garden outside with fascinating examples of minority housing from the King’s to the ones of the ethnic groups in Central Highlands. Then, visit Hoan Kiem Lake - the heart and soul of Hanoi and visit Ngoc Son Temple.
  In the late afternoon (around 16:30 – 17:00), we’ll get on car and back to your hotel. Then free time at leisure.
  Overnight in Hanoi.

  Breakfast

  Air-conditioned Vehicle

• DAY 03: Hanoi – Halong Bay

  In the morning, after having breakfast, our guide will meet you at hotel lobby at 8:00 a.m and start a journey to Halong Bay (Quang Ninh Province). Use the new highway Hanoi- Haiphong-Halong in comfort and time saving. On the way, you could see the local beauties by rice fields, road-side lifestyle, longest sea-cross bridge…
  11:30 – 12:00: Arrive Tuan Chau Harbor.
  12:00-12:00: Warmly welcome to cruise! While enjoying a welcome drink, our cruise manager will deliver a cruise briefing and safety introduction. After that you will check in your cabin.
  13:15 – 13:45: Fabulous Buffet lunch is served while the cruise starts her sail into magnificent Lan HaBay - an extension of Ha Long Wonder which is much quieter and has fewer tourists. The cruise will pass the famous Finger Islet, Candle Islet and thousands of uniquely shaped limestone towers and islands.
  15:00: We will visit the Dark and Bright Cave - famous for the pristine natural beauty and poetic, attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. Here you will take some photos of the romantic, lyrical local see-sights. This is also the best time for tourists to enjoy bamboo boats or swimming - which is an interesting activity to discover the truest beauty of the Limestone Mountains and the blue sky of Lan Ha Bay. Afterwards, visitors immerse in the emerald green water of Lan Ha Bay with exciting swimming activities.
  17:00: Back to the cruise and relax on cruise. Enjoy our sunset time and “Happy Hour Deal” in all bars on cruise. You will also have a chance to join our Cooking class to challenge your skills in preparing very famous Vietnamese spring rolls. Before dinner, our experienced captain will choose the most tranquil area to anchor for overnight.
  19:00: After the incredible dinner, take your leisure time to chat at the bar, watch the movie in the restaurant and enjoy Spa treatment (please book in advance).
  Overnight at cruise in Halong Bay.
  
  Note: Shuttle bus Hanoi – Ha Long – Hanoi arranged by cruise company.

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Shuttle Bus, Cruise

• DAY 04: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi – train to Lao Cai

  06:00: Be an early bird for a photo hunt and join our Tai-chi session on the sundeck to refresh your body and mind. After that, the cruise continues her sail, passing amazing karst towers. Tea, coffee and light breakfast is served with fresh air and peaceful surroundings.
  08:00: Join kayaking & swimming to explore the Frog Pond area.
  09:30: Return to the boat for check-out.
  10:00: During the time well prepared brunch is served, the cruise slowly navigates emerald water and thousands of Karst Mountains towards the Harbor.
  11:30 – 12:00: Disembark the cruise and farewell the crew and back to Hanoi by bus.
  15:00 - 16:00: Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. Daily use room at hotel included, you can walk somewhere for having dinner & refreshment
  21:00: our tour guide pick up & transfer your group to Tran Quy Cap Station to do procedures for the train to Lao Cai, Livitrans train, SP3 train (22.00/06.05 +1) A/c soft sleeper 4 berths sharing cabin
  Overnight on train
  
  Note: from 1 Jul – 31 August’22: Vietnam train only run route Hanoi – Lao Cai on Friday & Lao Cai – Hanoi on Sunday. From Sep’22: route Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi: run everyday

  Breakfast, Brunch

  Cruise, Shuttle Bus, Train

• DAY 05: Lao Cai – Sapa – Cat Cat village – Cat Cat Waterfall - Sin Chai Village

  06:05 Arrive at Lao Cai Station, you will be picked up by our tour guide and moved to Sapa town center (about 38km). On the way, you have the opportunity to admire the scenery of hills, terraced fields, pass roads with extremely spectacular sleeves of the Northwest.
  07:00 Arriving at the hotel, you leave your belongings at the front desk (early check in at hotel exclude). Then, you can have breakfast at local restaurant in Sapa & refresh yourself till our tour guide will lead you to visit Cat Cat village and Sin Chai village Located at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, 2km from center, Cat Cat village is one of the top names on the list of Sapa attractions. It attracts visitors with its natural landscape and the unique and diverse traditional culture of H’Mong ethnic people. There are many things that you can do at the center of Cat Cat village. While some visitors choose to get coffee and enjoy the view, others love wandering around and taking pictures at the steam. If you are ok with longer trek, we will continue trek 3 km to Sin Chai, the village located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here you can enjoy huge stunning landscapes and fall in the beauty in Sapa leaving the crowded modern lifestyle.
  After visiting, transfer back to your hotel. Free time to explore Sapa.
  Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

  Breakfast

  Air-conditioned Vehicle

• DAY 06: Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai village – train to Hanoi

  After having breakfast, our guide will meet you at hotel lobby and start to head out from Sapa by going downhill to the villages.
  The fisrt destination is Lao Chai - 7 km from centre. Lao Chai is quite approachable from Sapa for a travelers who do not have much time. The road is small and narrow, but you will pass green fields of corn and rice. If you have ever been interested in Vietnamese history, you will surely know that Lao Chai Village is home to two ethnic groups, the Giay and the Black H'mong. Seen from above, it is easy to recognize their crowded houses.
  Continue about 4 km, you will arrive Ta Van village. Also located in the valley of Muong Hoa, Ta Van is a village of Giay people. This village is normally a combination in the visit to Lao Chai village on the bicycle ride. Coming to Ta Van, visitors can not only immerse themselves in the picturesque scenery of nature with murmuring streams and birdsong, but also enjoy the peaceful beauty of the village.
  Then we continue visit Giang Ta Chai village. Opposite Muong Hoa stream, Giang Ta Chai lies dormant by the majestic waterfall, hidden by bamboo groves and old trees. Like other scenic spots in a, coming here visitors will admire the beautiful picture of mountains and terraced fields. Giang Ta Chai is home of Red Dzao ethnic people. Coming here, visitors will be charmed immediately with the out-standing traditional costumes of the local people; and most of those clothes are made from natural materials.
  After visiting, our driver will transfer you to Lao Cai station to go back to Hanoi Livitrans train, SP4 (21:40/05.30) A/c soft sleeper 4 berths sharing cabin.

  Breakfast

  Air-conditioned Vehicle, Train

• DAY 07: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc

  05:30: Arrive at Tran Quy Cap station (Hanoi), you will be picked up by our car and transfer to local restaurant for having breakfast, refresh yourself till transfer to Ninh Binh. On the way, you will have chances to capture the imagine of Vietnam rice fields with the hard-working farmers.
  In this morning, our guide will take you to visit Hoa Lu - the ancient royal capital of Vietnam. Hoa Lu ancient capital, perhaps, makes the province more attractive because it creates the cultural identity of the area and help people understand more about the cultural, architectural and sculptural values associated with the legend about the foundation of Dai Co Viet ( an old name of Viet Nam country).
  In the afternoon, you will continue to visit Tam Coc. The name Tam Coc, literally translates as ‘three caves,’ referring to Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. It is part of the wider UNESCO World Heritage site of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Take your days slowly absorbing the beauty of the scenery. Rowing along the river by boat, or cycling along the quiet lanes through the rice paddies, is the perfect way to explore.
  Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.

  Breakfast

  Air-conditioned Vehicle, Boat

• DAY 08: Ninh Binh – Trang An Grotto – Bai Dinh pagoda – night train to Hue

  In the morning, after having breakfast at your hotel, our guide will take you to visit Bai Dinh pagoda. This is the biggest pagoda in Vietnam with 500 La Han statues, biggest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam with 10 meters in height, 100 tons in weight. Then, start your short ride bike in Hoa Lu. You will cycle on paved roads, through rice fields and local agriculture villages.
  In the afternoon, our driver will transfer you to Trang An eco-tourism. We will take a boat trip round Trang An to immerse in limestone cliffs and mysterious yet inviting caves, as well as countrysides like peacefull streams, rice paddies and deserted green fields. On a boat rowed by local people, you will have chances to visit cave complex: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou Cave. Free your soul while enjoy the scenery of mountains and rivers of Ninh Binh - Halong Bay on land.
  After visiting, our driver will take you to Hanoi for taking night train to Hue, SE3 (19.25/8.25+1) A/C Soft Sleeper 4 berths sharing cabin
  
  Note: Private boat on Trang An for group 4-8 pax, group 1 - 2- 3-6 pax will share boat with other clients. 01 Private boat defaults 4 international guests

  Breakfast

  Air-conditioned Vehicle, Train

• DAY 09: Hue full day visit

  08:25: Arrive Hue railway station, you will be picked up by our car and transfer to have a leisure boat trip along the Perfume River to visit the towering Thien Mu pagoda. Next, follow our tour guide, we will take a short drive into a lush valley of the river where seven tombs were built for seven Nguyen Emperors. At this attraction, we will have a chance to visit two of the tombs: Minh Mang Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb, also understand more about Royal’s life and architecture. Then, go outside of town for lunch and enjoy Hue cuisine at a restaurant.
  In the afternoon, go back to the city center to visit Imperial Citadel, and the Forbidden Purple City and take a walk or shopping in Dong Ba market to enjoy the specialty of Hue city.
  Overnight in Hue.

  No meals

  Air-conditioned Vehicle, Boat

• DAY 10: Hue –Danang – Cham Museum – Marble Mountain – Hoi An ancient town

  In the morning, after breakfast, our driver will take you to Da Nang. Enjoy the stunning sceneries when pass through Hai Van pass.
  11:00: Arrive at Danang, our guide will take you to visit Cham Museum and Marble Mountain. Da Nang Cham Museum is home to the world's largest collection of Cham sculptures and artworks. Whenever you visit the museum, you still feel a special atmosphere for this place, nostalgic reminiscence. It must be an attractive site for those who concerned about history. Next, continue the road for 10km, you will reach Marble Mountain. Marble Mountains (called Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese) is a group of five limestone peaks are named after the five elements: Kim (metal), Thuỷ (water), Mộc (wood), Hoả (fire) and Thổ (earth). The structures and shrines blend harmoniously with nature: Vine tendrils drip from above, frangipani and poinciana trees drop their blossoms on the stone paths, and the pagodas’ ornate roofs sparkle in the tropical sun. It’s a setting that easily captures the imagination. Because you’ll be walking uphill a lot, be sure to wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes, and bring your sun hat and water along.
  After visiting, visitors will get on car and transfer to Hoi An ancient town. This time for you to discover this beautiful town. Recently, Hoi An is one destination that you cannot miss in the central of Vietnam. Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. You will explore Hoi An narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and stop over Hoi An Museum, Ancient Houses, Art Craft Manufacturing Workshop and Japanese Covered Bridge. Stop at local shop for lantern making & view many kind of Hoi An local lanterns.
  Overnight at hotel 3* in Hoi An town.

  Breakfast

  Air-conditioned Vehicle

• DAY 11: Hoi An – Cam Thanh coconut village – train to Ho Chi Minh city

  In the morning, our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and transfer to Cam Thanh coconut village. After about 20 mins, we will arrive in Cam Thanh. Here, you will experience a basket boat ride around the coconut forest, learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and communities. During the trip, the boatman will take coconut leaves to make funny natural decorations such as hats, rings, glasses ... extremely lovely for you. You will definitely experience the feeling of floating on the waves and participate in the equally fun basket boat race between the baskets in the rhythm of the drums and cheering music.
  Board on boat and commence cruising on the Cua Dai River.
  Take part in local river fishing and experience round or cast nets. Coconut forest is an extremely unique ecological area, with a very beautiful mangrove forest, which is home to many precious animals such as crabs, shrimps, fish and even mollusks. Local people will teach you how to paddle the Vietnamese unique bamboo basket boat. You will hear stories of past wars and the harsh conditions that soldiers have to endure.
  After small trip, having lunch at local restaurant (pay on your own). Then tourists will get on car and transfer back to Danang railway station for night train to Ho Chi Minh city SE1 train (13.42/05.45+1) A/C Soft Sleeper 4 berths sharing cabin
  Overnight on train.

  Breakfast

  Air-conditioned Vehicle, Train

• DAY 12: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi tunnels – half day city

  5.45 AM: You will arrive at Ho Chi Minh station, you will be picked up by our car and transfer to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh. Leave your belongings at the front desk then you can have breakfast at restaurant in Ho Chi Minh (pay on your own)(Check in time: 14.00 PM)
  In this morning, our guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby and take you to Cu Chi Tunnels (1h30m). Cu Chi Tunnels is an underground tunnels network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the struggle for independence. It took about 25 years to build this underground city, which has living rooms, kitchens, hospitals, weapon factories, storage facilities and command centre. During the American War, the villages around the district of Cu Chi supported a substantial Viet Cong (VC) presence. Faced with American attempts to neutralize them, they quite literally dug themselves out of harm’s way, and the legendary Cu Chi tunnels were the result. Today, tourists can visit a short stretch of the tunnels, drop to their hands and knees and squeeze underground for an insight into life as a tunnel-dwelling resistance fighter.
  In the afternoon: Visit Ho Chi Minh City
  • Notre Dame Cathedral : Located in the heart of the city and it was built by the French in the late 1877s. Notre Dame is not just a the oldest Christian church of Vietnam but also a unique and excellent architecture of Saigon.
  • General Post Office (Designed by Gustav Eiffel, the Post Office is a testament to the French presence in the late 1800s. The look and feel of this grand building is like an elegant railway station.
  • The Reunification Palace, used to be residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. In 30 April 1975, the when North Vietnam soldier set foot inside this building with red flag on hand, the whole world knew that Vietnam war was end.
  Back to your hotel
  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

  No meals

  Air-conditioned Vehicle

• DAY 13: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Cai Be floating market

  In the morning, after breakfast, around 7:30 a.m, our guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby and take you to Cai Be pier (86km from HCMC). The program will starts with a visit of Cai Be floating market. The very first activities of the day is to transport fruits and vegetables from the mainland, and to rearrange them in an appealing way. You will see well-placed piles of fruits and vegetables of all sorts and colors. Sellers tie their goods to a tall pole so that buyers can see from a distance what they are selling. After visiting, having lunch at local family or local restaurant (pay on your own), then you can walk around this orchard & enjoy peaceful atmosphere.
  In the afternoon, take a walk in the local village to visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice, ... Optional biking can be made for a leisure. Next, visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. The cruise will end at Vinh Long city. Then get on car to go back to Ho Chi Minh City.
  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

  Breakfast

  Air-conditioned Vehicle, Boat

• DAY 14: Ho Chi Minh departure

  Have free time until our private car comes to pick you up at the airport for your flight. (Note: room is at your disposal until 12:00 noon only). Finish your trip in the Vietnam, hope you get happy time and interesting experiences about our country with us and see you in the near future!

  Breakfast

  Private airport car