Railbookers · Independent rail package

Classic Vietnam Hanoi to Hoi An

10-day Vietnam rail trip on the historic Reunification Express

Railbookers runs Classic Vietnam Hanoi to Hoi An as a 10-day, 9-night independent rail package, starting in Hanoi and finishing in Hoi An. Along the way the itinerary takes in Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, and Ha Long Bay in the north before heading south through Hue. The centerpiece is a ride on the Reunification Express, a train the evidence traces back to a 1,726 kilometer north-south line completed in 1936 under French colonial rule, later destroyed and rebuilt during wartime and renamed 'Reunification' in 1976 as a symbol of the country healing after decades of war. Because the trip is sold as an independent rail package rather than an escorted tour, it suits travelers who want to experience this specific historic train route and choose their own pace between the Hanoi area sights and the stops further south.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers doesn't publish a day-by-day itinerary for this package. The evidence gives the history of the Reunification Express train but not the class of travel, meal inclusions, or how each day divides between Hanoi, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hue, and Hoi An. Confirm the details with the operator before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The trip is built around the 'Reunification Express' train traveling from Hanoi toward Da Nang and Hoi An.
Is it escorted or independent?
It's sold as an independent rail package.
How long is the trip?
10 days and 9 nights.
Which places are visited?
Hanoi, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hue, and Hoi An.
What is the history of the train used on this trip?
The Reunification Express runs on a 1,726km north-south line finished in 1936 under French colonial rule. It was destroyed and repaired repeatedly during and after the war, then renamed 'Reunification' in 1976 as a symbol of the country healing after decades of war.
How much does it cost?
From $2,749 per person (USD), about $275 per day.

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