From Hanoi to Saigon: Riding the Rails of Vietnam

Upon your arrival at Hanoi airport, your local guide will greet you and take you to the city center.

Check in at your hotel, ideally located in the heart of the Vietnamese capital. Rooms will be available from 2pm.

Begin your discoveries at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, a fascinating place dedicated to the cultural diversity of the country’s 54 ethnic groups. Costumes, everyday objects, and traditional houses bear witness to a rich heritage.

In the afternoon, let yourself be charmed by a rickshaw ride through the lively Old Quarter, nicknamed the “36 Streets”. These iconic vehicles immerse you in the city’s distinctive atmosphere, amid bustling stalls and street scenes.

End your day with a relaxing walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, or the “Lake of the Returned Sword”, whose legend echoes the heroic history of ancient Vietnam.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, continue your exploration of Vietnam’s capital.

Start with the Ho Chi Minh complex: his mausoleum, the stilt house, and the famous One Pillar Pagoda. Then head to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, founded in the 11th century and recognized as the country’s first university. This profoundly wise place is a rare example of traditional preserved architecture.

Before sunset, enjoy a drink at the station and then board the tourist train crossing the famous Long Bien Bridge, a symbol of Hanoi’s resistance and urban evolution. In the evening, delve into local culture with a water puppet show, a quintessentially Vietnamese art form.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L)

Early in the morning, set out for the mountains, passing through stunning valleys and terraced rice fields. On the way, stop in the peaceful hamlet of Ba Khan, a hidden gem by a lake nicknamed the “inland Halong Bay”. Enjoy a boat ride here—an ideal way to soak up the serenity of the place.

After a traditional lunch at a small local restaurant, continue your journey to the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a haven of peace surrounded by mountains and ethnic villages.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Pu Luong in a natural and tranquil setting.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L)

In the morning, set off on a lovely walk along mountain paths winding through a lush valley. You will reach Uoi village, nestled against a towering cliff in the middle of rice fields.

Level: easy – 5 km on flat terrain.

Next, head to Lan village for a bike ride through verdant landscapes. Rice fields, rivers, and ponds line your route, dotted with warm encounters with local villagers.

Level: moderate – 12 km on flat terrain.

Lunch at a local restaurant before driving to the charming village of Hieu. A short hike takes you to the waterfall of the same name, a hidden natural gem in the woods.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Pu Luong in a lively and authentic atmosphere.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L)

After breakfast, depart for the splendid Van Long Nature Reserve, known as the “inland Halong Bay.” Board a traditional sampan for a peaceful ride among limestone cliffs and lush vegetation.

Lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting the temples of the Dinh and Le kings, majestic witnesses to the history of the ancient capital Hoa Lu, an iconic site featured in the film Indochine.

At the end of the day, check in at a charming hotel in the heart of the rice fields and mountains.

Enjoy a bike ride in the area: Bich Dong Pagoda, Linh Coc caves, or Thung Nang—all natural gems accessible by bike.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L)

Departure without guide to the majestic Halong Bay or its wilder neighbor, Lan Ha. Upon arrival, board for an unforgettable cruise through a UNESCO-listed landscape of karst peaks.

Seafood lunch served on board. The afternoon is free: swimming, relaxing on the deck, or exploring by kayak. In the evening, join a Vietnamese cooking workshop, then enjoy a refined dinner on board.

At night, try your hand at squid fishing, enjoy a massage, or simply savor the tranquility of the bay.

OPTION: seaplane flight over the bay (shared flight – 25 min)

Discover Halong Bay from above—an exceptional perspective on its spectacular scenery, reserved for travelers seeking unforgettable experiences.

Dinner and overnight on board (B, L, D)

Wake up peacefully on board the boat. The vessel continues its route through the most remote corners of the bay. Enjoy this privileged moment to admire the landscape from the deck or the panoramic restaurant.

Disembark late morning and return by road to Hanoi. The afternoon is at your leisure: drop your bags at the hotel and take the opportunity to wander, shop, or relax.

In the evening, transfer to the train station to board the night train to Hue, the former imperial city of central Vietnam.

Overnight in a private 4-berth cabin (B).

On waking, a simple breakfast is served on board before arrival at Hue station around 9am.

Meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel to drop off your luggage. Rooms will be available from 2pm.

Next, discover the Dong Ba Market, a colorful and lively spot perfect for soaking up the local atmosphere. After lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant, head to the Imperial Citadel of Hue, a true witness to the country’s royal past. Palaces, ramparts, and majestic gates reveal the grandeur of the Nguyen dynasty.

Then, continue to the Thien Mu Pagoda, elegantly perched on the bank of the Perfume River. To end the day, enjoy a gentle cruise along the river, passing by hills and temples.

Late afternoon at leisure to relax by the hotel pool.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L)

After breakfast, set out to explore the Mausoleum of Khai Dinh, perched on the heights. This site impresses with its bold blend of Eastern and Western influences. En route, stop at a village of artisans to discover the making of conical hats and incense sticks, cultural symbols of Vietnam.

Lunch at a traditional restaurant.

In the afternoon, board one of the most beautiful train journeys in the country. From Hue to Danang, the railway hugs the ocean and crosses the mountains over the Hai Van Pass, often called “the pass of clouds”.

A stop is planned at Lang Co station, giving you a unique opportunity to get off briefly and admire the view, take some photos.

Arrival in Danang at the end of the day and private transfer to Hoi An.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L)

After breakfast, head out for an original 4×4 adventure through the countryside around Hoi An. You will pass by vibrant green rice fields, gardens, and villages. There will be stops to observe craftsmen at work: mat weaving, wood carving, or rice wine distillation. A friendly lunch at a local home concludes this immersive experience.

In the afternoon, explore Hoi An old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its alleyways lined with colonial houses, Chinese temples, and tailor workshops tell the story of a once prosperous port city.

OPTION: Teh Dar Show

An impressive performance combining circus, tribal music, and bamboo, honoring the traditions of the peoples from the Central Highlands. A fascinating artistic immersion, to experience in the late afternoon.

Round-trip transfers included.

Duration: 2h (5:30 pm–7:30 pm)

Overnight at the hotel (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to Danang station to board a regular train to Quy Nhon. You will travel in a private 4-berth cabin, with a packed lunch to enjoy along the way. The scenery glides past—sea, rice fields, and peaceful villages.

OPTION: The Vietage luxury train

– Welcome drink

– Three-course lunch

– Unlimited snacks and drinks: wines, cocktails, beers, teas, coffees

– 15-minute head and shoulder massage

Arrive in Quy Nhon in the afternoon. Reception at the station and transfer to your beachfront hotel. Free time for the rest of the day to relax.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L lunch-box)

After breakfast, free day or optional excursions.

Still sheltered from mass tourism, Quy Nhon invites you to explore an authentic Vietnam, between nature and culture.

Enjoy the Quang Trung Museum, dedicated to the national hero of the same name, victor over the Siamese and Chinese troops. Here you can see the Tay Son family temple, an ancient well, a three-hundred-year-old tamarind tree, and a small handicraft area. The visit concludes with a traditional martial arts demonstration.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

After breakfast, free day or optional excursion.

Start by visiting the Twin Cham Towers, elegant Hindu-style structures nestled in a tropical setting of coconut and banana trees. Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at Truong Lac restaurant, renowned for its local cuisine.

In the afternoon, head to Eo Gió, a wild cove nicknamed “the strait of the wind,” with its sculpted cliffs and turquoise waters. The perfect spot to recharge.

Return to the city at the end of the afternoon. Settle at the Surf Bar, feet in the sand, then stroll across the main square of Quy Nhon at sunset, amid families, kites, and local life.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Quy Nhon airport for your domestic flight to Saigon (or Hanoi), from where you will take your international flight.

Rooms are available until noon. (B)