Tailor-made Vietnam on the rails trip

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s thousand-year-old cultural capital. Your Vietnam travel experience begins as you wander the Old Quarter’s maze of 14th century streets, explore ancient temples, lively markets, modern cafés, world-class restaurants, and contemporary art galleries.

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in, followed by a briefing to personalize your tailor-made Vietnam trip.

Stroll through the Old Quarter and listen to your guide’s lively “standing newspaper” talk before pausing for coffee and browsing the crowded street shops of Gioi Market.

Catch a local train from a suburban station into the city, then walk along the tracks and sample street eats on Cuisine Street to experience Hanoi’s everyday rhythm.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature before meeting a water puppet master at a private residence tucked away in a Hanoi alley. Enjoy a short performance featuring lion dances, buffalo fights, rice farming scenes, and boat racing, then try your hand at painting and handling the puppets yourself.

Take part in a hands-on cooking class set in a peaceful herb garden just outside Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Guided by young chefs dedicated to preserving the city’s culinary traditions, learn to identify local herbs and prepare classic Hanoi dishes using garden-fresh ingredients.

A memorable highlight of your Vietnam itinerary, this tailor-made experience teaches techniques you can recreate at home. Enjoy lunch made from your own creations before returning to your hotel for a relaxed afternoon.

Transfer from Hanoi to Tuan Chau International Passenger Port in Halong, enjoying a scenic drive through the Red River Delta with a brief village stop for local coffee.

Board your cruise in Ha Long Bay and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch as the boat sails toward Southeast Halong Bay. Explore caves and quiet beaches, kayak among limestone karsts, and take part in a hands-on cooking class on board.

Unwind beneath starlit skies and spend the night on the cruise for a fully immersive bay experience.

Wake to gentle waves and begin the day with a tai chi session on deck as the boat glides past Ha Long Bay’s dramatic limestone karsts and floating fishing villages.

Enjoy a relaxed brunch with tea or coffee and sweeping bay views before returning to Hanoi in the afternoon. Later, board an overnight local train to Dong Hoi for the next stage of your journey.

Arrive in Dong Hoi and transfer to Oxalis in Phong Nha for a safety briefing and personalized service. Explore Commander Cave, a wartime limestone stronghold with seven levels, preserved relics, and an immersive VR360 experience that brings history to life.

Continue on a forest trek to Nuoc Nut Cave, enjoy lunch at the entrance, then explore by helmet and headlamp. Admire dramatic stalactites, swim in crystal clear underground pools, and finish on the Ho Chi Minh Road, where the Oxalis bus awaits with chilled drinks and a commemorative medal.

After breakfast, depart Phong Nha village and drive to the Vietnam DMZ in Quang Tri Province. Visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels, Hien Luong Bridge, and the Ben Hai River, exploring wartime relics and daily tunnel life with a knowledgeable local guide for deeper insight into the Vietnam War.

Continue to Hue for hotel check-in, then enjoy a gentle stroll along the Perfume River. Discover the former imperial city’s historic citadel, refined royal cuisine, moss-covered pagodas, and leafy streets.

Rise early for a short drive from Hue to Tam Giang Lagoon, Southeast Asia’s largest lagoon. Meet a local fisherman, watch the weaving of traditional gear, and board a bamboo sampan to glide across calm waters. Observe life on the lagoon, paddle past aquaculture farms, and try time-honored fishing techniques.

In the evening, visit Ms. Nau’s garden house to meet her multigenerational Hue family. Learn about royal traditions and daily life over a home-cooked dinner of Hue specialties, shared alongside stories passed down through generations.

Wake early for a scenic train ride from Hue to Da Nang, climbing mountain passes and revealing sweeping views of Lang Co Bay framed by rugged peaks. Upon arrival at Da Nang station, transfer to the charming town of Hoi An.

Explore Hoi An on a guided walk through its narrow lanes, discovering well-preserved merchant houses that blend Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese influences.

Visit the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the ornate Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation, and the colorful local market, where you can sample regional dishes and browse handmade crafts.

Cycle along Hoi An’s quiet roads beside the Thu Bon River, passing fishing boats, areca nut gardens, family shrines, and emerald rice paddies as you explore the peaceful villages of Cam Kim.

This easy ride offers scenic photo stops and a glimpse into everyday rural life. Along the way, take part in hands-on activities such as making rice paper and local crafts, and help tend Hoi An’s finest herbs and vegetables by watering or fertilizing.

In the morning, board the Vietage train for a scenic journey of up to six hours along Vietnam’s central coastline from Hoi An and Da Nang to Quy Nhon. Sip bubbles and sample regional flavors as panoramic views unfold, from lush green hills to sun-drenched beaches.

Arrive in Quy Nhon, a tranquil seaside town known for quiet sands, fishing villages, and refined resorts. Transfer to your resort for check-in and overnight stay.

Enjoy a free day in Quy Nhon, one of the best places to visit in Vietnam for relaxed coastal exploration. Discover calm beaches, lively fish markets, and nearby Cham heritage sites, or tailor the day to your interests.

Choose a guided bike ride through coastal villages, a private cooking class with a local family, or a boat cruise to secluded islets for snorkeling.

Enjoy another free day in Quy Nhon to explore at your own pace. Browse morning markets, join an interactive cooking class, take a short boat ride to nearby islets, or unwind with a seaside spa treatment.

Local guides can arrange authentic experiences that showcase fishing villages, fresh seafood, and hidden coastal viewpoints.

Enjoy breakfast and relaxed free time at your Quy Nhon hotel, with options for a sunrise beach walk, local coffee, or a visit to a fishing village. When ready, transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination.

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel for a private check-in. Discover Saigon’s architectural layers with Hieu, a passionate local researcher.

Visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum at the former Lieutenant Governor’s Palace, see traces of a colonial opium refinery, admire Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, and end at a revived 1960s bar now a lively coffee and cultural hub.

Travel 1.5 hours from Saigon to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta for a day of hands-on discovery. Visit a traditional brick workshop, a coconut processing house, and try your hand at weaving straw mats.

Continue by bicycle or tuk tuk to a fruit farmer’s home, then paddle a sampan through palm-lined canals before returning to Saigon.

In the evening, explore Saigon by vintage Vespa, sampling street food favorites such as bánh mì, alleyway coffee, the lively apartment food market, and classic Southern dishes, before ending the night at a hidden speakeasy.

Enjoy a final breakfast and relaxed leisure time at your Ho Chi Minh City hotel, with options for last-minute photos, a guided market walk, or a tailor-made coffee tasting arranged by your travel specialist.

When ready, transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight.