From south to north, Vietnam is a wonderful kaleidoscope of fascinating sights, diverse landscapes and exciting rail adventures. Step aboard privately chartered rail carriages for a memorable 17-day rail tour that explores world heritage listed old towns, ancient citadels, jungle retreats and rural villages of this friendly land. Start in the pulsating Saigon, before exploring the Mekong Delta where you'll experience a floating market and try delicious food. Board your private train in Saigon and travel on the former Transindochinois Railway now known as the Reunification Express via the fertile hinterland to the coastal towns of Nha Trang and Quy Nhon. Continue riding the rails to wander the Hue and Hoi An old towns', tour the Danang Railway Workshops, see karst mountains and caves at Phong Nha National Park and take a traditional rowboat past limestone peaks and lush green rice paddy fields in Ninh Binh. Explore the French Quarter in Hanoi and see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, before cruising through Halong Bay on a traditional overnight luxury sailing boat. With an Australian tour leader and an expert local guide, this Vietnam rail and cultural experience is bound to please.
DAY 1 Thursday 12 November 2026 Saigon
The tour commences upon check in at our hotel from 3pm. At 6pm, enjoy a memorable welcome dinner at the Vietnam House Restaurant, owned by renowned SBS TV chef Luke Nguyen. Overnight: Mai House, Saigon (D)
DAY 2 Friday 13 November 2026 Saigon
This morning, you'll discover the War Remnants Museum before visiting the historic City Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Enjoy lunch surrounding the Ben Thanh Market, tour the Reunification Palace and the atmospheric Jade Emperor Pagoda. Tonight, you will dine at a restaurant in the bustling local markets of District 1 and try local favourites. Overnight: Mai House, Saigon (B,L,D)
DAY 3 Saturday 14 November 2026 Mekong Delta
This morning you will travel via minibus to the Mekong Delta for a day of exploration. Today, you will cruise the waterways visiting local orchards and cottage industries and experience local life first hand. Overnight: Victoria Can Tho Resort, Mekong Delta (B,L,D)
DAY 4 Sunday 15 November 2026 Saigon
After breakfast, you'll visit the Cai Rang Floating Market - the largest in the Mekong Delta. Enjoy lunch in Can Tho and return to Saigon. Your local guide can take you to the lively Pham Ngu Lao Street to experience their local open-air market. Overnight: Mai House, Saigon (B,L)
DAY 5 Monday 16 November 2026 Nha Trang
After breakfast, you'll head to Saigon Railway Station where you'll board our private railway carriages for the first of our scenic train journeys, taking us along the southern rail-line of the former Transindochinois Railway now known as the Reunification Express. Upon arrival in Nha Trang, we'll check into our hotel before enjoying a seafood dinner together. Overnight: Intercontinental Hotel, Nha Trang Beach (B L,D)
DAY 6 Tuesday 17 November 2026 Quy Thon
This morning, you'll tour Nha Trang which is known as the 'Cannes of the Orient'. Hop back onto our private train for a spectacular journey along the scenic coastline. Arrive in the railway town of Dieu Tri and drive to our hotel in Quy Nhon. Overnight: Avani Quy Nhon Resort, Quy Nhon (B,L,D)
DAY 7 Wednesday 18 November 2026 Quy Nhon
This morning, you will tour a local market and stop for the famous Vietnamese condensed milk coffee. Visit the fascinating fishing village of Bai Ran and enjoy a lunch of fiddler crab noodle soup. Later, learn about and see a demonstration of the local martial art of Viet Vo Dao. Visit Bai Xep Beach before returning to the resort where you'll enjoy a free evening. Overnight: Avani Quy Nhon Resort, Quy Nhon (B.L)
DAY 8 Thursday 19 November 2026 Hoi An
After an early breakfast, we'll rejoin our private train for the journey to Danang. On arrival at Danang station, you'll transfer to the graceful and historic Hoi An. After check in, we'll enjoy dinner together in the old town. Overnight: Moire Vignette Collection by IHG, Hoi An (B,L,D)
DAY 9 Friday 20 November 2026 Hoi An
This morning, you'll tour the town discovering the influence of Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, and Spanish traders as you walk past pagodas, assembly halls, the Thien Hau Temple and historic houses. Tour the Japanese Covered Bridge and enjoy free time at lunch. Later, why not wander the alleyways of the old town or head to the tailor shops. Overnight: Moire Vignette Collection by IHG, Hoi An (B)
DAY 10 Saturday 21 November 2026 Danang and Hue
This morning, we'll drive by the former US airbase at China Beach, before touring the busy Danang Railway Workshops. Enjoy lunch and return to your private carriages to ride the rails over the Hai Van Pass. Arrive at the grand colonial station of Hue and transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy music, art, fine cuisine and royal architecture in the Ben Xuan Garden House Theatre. Overnight: Senna Hotel, Hue (B,L,D)
DAY 11 Sunday 22 November 2026 Hue
This morning, you'll tour the ancient Imperial City of Hue and wander the vast walled Citadel fortress. Later, you'll board a royal heritage boat for a cruise along the Perfume River, stopping at small villages and enjoying fine food on board. Relax as your stylish vessel glides along this scenic river, before touring the lakeside royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, Thien Mu Pagoda and the lively Dong Ba Market. Overnight: Senna Hotel, Hue (B.L)
DAY 12 Monday 23 November 2026 Phong Nha National Park
Rise early for breakfast and drive to the Vinh Moc Tunnels which were used by villagers as shelter during the intense bombing in the Vietnam War. Enjoy lunch, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Phong Nha National Park where you'll see some of the oldest karst mountains in Asia as well as some enormous caves. Take a cruise up Son River towards to the Phong Cave and relax in your boutique jungle stay this evening. Overnight: Chay Lap Boutique Farmstay, Phong Nha (B L,D)
DAY 13 Tuesday 24 November 2026 Ninh Binh
Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast and take a drive to Dong Hoi Station and board your private carriages for your rail journey to Ninh Binh. Arrive in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel. This naturally beautiful area is often referred to as 'Halong Bay on land'. Enjoy dinner in your resort tonight. Overnight: Emeralda Resort Tam Coc, Ninh Bình (B,L,D)
DAY 14 Wednesday 25 November 2026 Hanoi
This morning, you'll journey on a traditional boat past limestone karst peaks, green rice paddy fields. Be welcomed into a local family home for a traditional Vietnamese lunch before driving to Vietnam's historic and dynamic capital, Hanoi. Upon arrival, you'll visit the famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre for an entertaining performance before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: Apricot Hotel, Hanoi (B,L,D)
DAY 15 Thursday 26 November 2026 Hanoi
After breakfast this morning, you'll see the Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy lunch and visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the One Pillar Pagoda, stop at Hanoi Train Street to see trains pass through a narrow residential area before taking part in a street food tour and dinner in the Old Quarter. Overnight: Apricot Hotel, Hanoi (B,L,D)
DAY 16 Friday 27 November 2026 Halong Bay
After breakfast today, you'll drive to the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay. On arrival, cruise the region, visit a few caves and marvel at the ethereal beauty all around you. You'll spend the night on a luxury junk (traditional sailing boat) home to twin-share cabins with air-conditioning and private facilities. Overnight: Dragon Pearl Cruise or Athena Royal Cruise on Halong Bay (B,L,D)
DAY 17 Saturday 28 November 2026 Halong Bay - Flight out of Hanoi
Rise early for a stunning sunrise over Halong Bay. Later, visit The Green Life Centre. In the mid-morning, we'll bid farewell to our wonderful crew and board our coach for the 3-hour trip to the Hanoi airport for your flights back to Australia. For those not flying out of Hanoi tonight, you'll be dropped at your post-tour accommodation hotel in Hanoi. (B,L)
| Per person twin-share | Single fare |
|---|---|
| $9,995 | $11,945 |
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
TOUR OPERATOR:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 005 817 0781 (Travelrite International) is the tour operator.
TOUR COSTS:
The tours costs are based on transport, accommodation costs and entrance costs at 22 September 2025. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to costings will be made within 60 days of departure.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS:
A non-refundable deposit of $900 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days before departure. A 1.5% administration charge will be added to payment by Visa, Mastercard and America Express.
CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellations within 60 days prior to departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellations outside of 60 days prior to departure will result in the loss of the deposit paid per person. Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
CHANGES TO THE TOUR ITINERARY:
Travelrite International reserves the right to make changes to the tour itinerary to fit in with operational requirements. Any changes to the itinerary will be replaced with similar arrangements with an equal or greater value.
MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS:
The tour has been costed on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 60 days prior to departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified cost if the minimum number is not achieved.
REFUNDS:
The tour is based on arrangements which do not allow for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other services not utilised after the tour has commenced.
BAGGAGE:
All passengers qualify for 1 piece free baggage allowance.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. is the tour organiser. Travelrite International acts only as agents in making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result, we cannot accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services in connection with the tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive control. We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, acts of God, acts of government, or any other authorities, terrorism, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action. The passage contract in use by the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies or firms and the purchasers of these tours and the passengers. Baggage is at own risk throughout the tour. The contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria and any legal action must be undertaken in the State of Victoria.
DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EVENTS:
You engage Travelrite International to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite International acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite International may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite International reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite International any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite International in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite International advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
HOW TO BOOK:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and sending it with a non-refundable deposit of $900 per person to: Travelrite International Pty Ltd 423 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning Toll Free: 1800 630 343, Phone: (03) 9836 2522, Email: sales@travelrite.com.au, www.travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established travel company which has been marketing throughout Australia for over 40 years. It has a fully ATAS accredited (No. A10538) office at Balwyn. As such it directly represents the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Travel Industry Association-ATIA.
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