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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Highlights of Vietnam

Vietnam's cities, coast and delta on rail, cruise and coach, 14 days from Hanoi

Illustration of Highlights of Vietnam

Great Rail Journeys' Highlights of Vietnam is a 14-day escorted tour that departs London for Hanoi and concludes in Ben Tre on the Mekong Delta. The journey combines multiple travel modes: overnight rail on the Reunification Express (Hanoi to Hue) in a Violette sleeper cabin, a luxury junk boat overnight cruise among Ha Long Bay's limestone islands, a local train from Hue to Da Nang, internal flights, and coach travel through the Mekong Delta. A dedicated UK Tour Manager guides the group throughout. Days begin in Hanoi with a street food tour sampling regional dishes and a water puppet show, then move to the mountainous coastal region: the Imperial Citadel at Hue (a modelled replica of Beijing's Forbidden City), the Old Town of Hoi An with a lantern-making class, and Da Nang's Cham Museum.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour is escorted with a large maximum group size of 40, not a small group experience.
  • Two flights from the UK (via Doha) plus one internal flight are included, meaning three days include significant travel time and minimal leisure time in destination.
  • Single supplement (from GBP 3,349) is more than half the double rate (from GBP 2,499), a notably high premium.
  • Days 9 and 13 are described as free with optional activities, not guided experiences, on an otherwise structured escorted tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In flight

    An overnight journey to Vietnam

    Arrive at London Heathrow, meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers, then board the overnight flight to Vietnam via Doha.

  2. Day 2overnight: Hanoi

    A gentle introduction to the bustling city of Hanoi

    Land in Hanoi, coach transfer to four-star hotel with early check-in. Afternoon walking tour starting at Sword Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, then cyclo ride through the Old Quarter and French colonial streets. Dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Hanoi

    Exploring Hanoi and its incredible street food scene

    Full day sightseeing: Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One-Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, Temple of Literature. Afternoon street food tour with local guide sampling bun cha and banh goi, ending at 'international crossroads' with Bia Hoi.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Ha Long Bay (cruise)

    Overnight cruise on UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay

    Coach transfer to Ha Long Bay. Board luxury junk boat for overnight cruise among jungle-draped limestone islands. Seafood lunch on board, visit caves and islands, spectacular sunset. Cooking demonstration or relaxation in cabin. Dinner on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Reunification Express (overnight train)

    Ha Long Bay sunrise and boarding the sleeper train

    Early risers enjoy sunrise and tai chi class on deck. Breakfast as ship sails back to shore. Coach back to Hanoi with stop at local craft centre. Evening traditional water puppet show. Transfer to Hanoi railway station and board the Reunification Express overnight to Hue in double occupancy Violette cabins.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Hue

    The imperial city of Hue

    Arrive Hue by train with picnic breakfast on board. Early check-in at four-star hotel. Afternoon guided tour: Thien Mu Pagoda (seven-storey Buddhist temple, 1601) and the Imperial Citadel (Nguyen dynasty capital 1802–1945, modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City). Free evening to explore Hue's restaurants.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Hoi An

    Coastal Da Nang and on to Hoi An

    Train from Hue to Da Nang with views of mountains and coastline. Visit Cham Museum and Marble Mountains. Transfer to four-star boutique hotel in central Hoi An. Free afternoon to relax by the pool or explore the Old Town.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Hoi An

    Sightseeing in the 'Lantern City'

    Guided tour of Hoi An: Tan Ky Old House (1741), Fujian Assembly Hall, 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Lunch at local restaurant. Lantern-making class at Xu Dang Trong Art Centre. Free afternoon and evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9overnight: Hoi An

    Day at leisure in Hoi An

    Full free day. Options include Cantonese Assembly Hall, Trang coconut village basket boat trip, Central Market street food, coffee shops, Night Market seafood dining.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

    Flying into old Saigon

    Early breakfast, transfer to Da Nang airport for internal flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Photo stops en route to hotel: Reunification Palace, General Post Office, City Hall, War Remnants Museum. Check in to five-star hotel. Free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

    Looking back in time in the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels

    Visit Cu Chi Tunnels – vast underground complex (~155 miles) used during wars with France and the US. Optional entry into tunnels with guide. Free time over lunch. Return to Ho Chi Minh City with free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

    A tranquil day in the Mekong Delta

    Coach to Ben Tre island town on the Mekong Delta. Demonstration of local brick and grass mat making. Lunch at local restaurant with exotic fruits and regional cuisine. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by coach. Free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  13. Day 13overnight: In flight

    A final day in Ho Chi Minh City

    Leisurely day for sightseeing or shopping: Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Bến Thành Market, Jade Emperor Pagoda, District 1 shopping. Evening coach transfer to airport for overnight flight home to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

  14. Day 14

    Homeward bound

    Land at London Heathrow in the morning. Tour concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Street food tour in Hanoi's Old Quarter sampling bun cha and banh goi with a local guide.
  • Day 4Overnight cruise aboard a luxury junk boat among the jungle-draped limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, including a sunset and cooking demonstration.
  • Day 5Boarding the Reunification Express at Hanoi railway station for an overnight journey to Hue in a double occupancy Violette sleeper cabin.
  • Day 6Guided tour of Hue's Imperial Citadel beside the Perfume River, built between 1802 and 1945 as the Nguyen dynasty capital.
  • Day 8Lantern-making class at Xu Dang Trong Art Centre in Hoi An, followed by time in the 400-year-old Old Town.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4 & 5-star hotel accommodation
  • 1 night in a double occupancy Violette cabin aboard the Reunification Express
  • 1-night cruise aboard a luxury junk boat in Ha Long Bay
  • Soft Seat Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Hanoi via Doha
  • Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to London Heathrow via Doha
  • All internal flights
  • Breakfast each day
  • 3 lunches
  • 2 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes the Reunification Express overnight sleeper (Hanoi to Hue) in a double occupancy Violette cabin, a local train journey (Hue to Da Nang in Soft Seat Class), and all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is an escorted tour. A UK Tour Manager accompanies travellers from London to Vietnam and throughout the 14 days, leading all guided tours and excursions.
What hotels are used?
Four-star hotels: MK Premier Boutique (Hanoi), Eldora Hotel (Hue), and Little Hoi An Central Boutique (Hoi An). Five-star: Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Accommodation also includes one night aboard the Reunification Express sleeper and one night on a luxury junk boat in Ha Long Bay.
What meals are included?
Breakfast every day, three lunches, and two dinners. Some dinners and lunches are at local restaurants or on board; other meals are free time in the destination.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates departures in September, October, November, January, February, March and April (2026-2027 dates listed). Ten departures are scheduled.
How much walking is involved?
Days include city walking tours in Hanoi and Hoi An, visits to temples and museums with stairs, and optional entry into the Cu Chi Tunnels. Most longer distances are covered by coach or train.

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