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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Highlights of Vietnam

Vietnam escorted tour by rail, coach, cruise, and flight over 12 days.

Illustration of Highlights of Vietnam

Vacations By Rail operates this 12-day escorted adventure through Vietnam, beginning in Hanoi and concluding in the Mekong Delta. A professional Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, guiding sightseeing in six cities and multiple excursions. The journey combines rail travel, including an overnight sleeper cabin aboard the Reunification Express, a luxury cruise through Ha Long Bay, coach transfers, and an internal flight. Days begin with breakfast in 4- and 5-star hotels; Day 1 opens with a cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter and a walking tour from Sword Lake. Day 4 features an overnight train journey in a private cabin. Days 5 through 8 explore the central coast, with a free day in Hoi An for independent exploration. The itinerary suits travellers seeking comfort, cultural depth, and guided structure without the demands of independent logistics across multiple rail changes and languages.

What to know before you look closer

  • International flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price; book separately.
  • The final hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is listed as five-star (Eastin Grand), but earlier Hanoi stops may be either MK Premier Boutique or La Passion Hanoi Hotel & Spa depending on availability.
  • Day 8 in Hoi An is unguided; independent exploration of optional sites or activities requires arranging your own transport.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Hanoi

    A gentle introduction to the bustling city of Hanoi

    Transfer to the four-star hotel, meet the Tour Manager and group, then a walking tour beginning at Sword Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, continuing by cyclo through the Old Quarter. Dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Hanoi

    Exploring Hanoi and its incredible street food scene

    Full day sightseeing including Ba Dinh Square, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One-Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple and the Temple of Literature, followed by a street food tour sampling bun cha and banh goi.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Boat (Ha Long Bay)

    Overnight cruise on UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hạ Long Bay

    Transfer by coach to Ha Long Bay to board a luxury overnight cruise boat. Seafood lunch on board, visits to caves and islands, sunset over the water, and dinner served onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Train (Reunification Express)

    Hạ Long Bay sunrise and boarding the sleeper train

    Optional sunrise tai chi class before sailing back to shore and transferring to Hanoi, stopping at a local craft center. Evening water puppet show, then an overnight journey aboard the Reunification Express to Hue in double-occupancy Violette cabins.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Hue

    The imperial city of Hue

    Arrive in Hue after a picnic breakfast on board. Early check-in at the hotel, then an afternoon sightseeing tour of the Thien Mu pagoda and the Imperial Citadel, modeled on Beijing's Forbidden City.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Hoi An

    Coastal Da Nang and on to Hoi An

    Train to Da Nang to visit the Cham Museum and the Marble Mountains, then transfer to the boutique hotel in Hoi An.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Hoi An

    Sightseeing in the 'Lantern City'

    A guided tour of Hoi An including the Tan Ky Old House, the Fujian Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge, followed by lunch and a lantern-making class at the Xu Dang Trong Art Centre.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 8overnight: Hoi An

    Day at leisure in Hoi An

    A full free day to explore Hoi An independently, with options including the Cantonese Assembly Hall, Trang coconut village, or a basket boat trip.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

    Flying into old Saigon

    Internal flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. Photo stops at Reunification Palace, the General Post Office and City Hall, and a visit to the War Remnants Museum before checking into the five-star hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

    Looking back in time in the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels

    Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground complex used during the wars of independence and against the U.S., with an optional tunnel entry for those who wish to explore inside.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

    A tranquil day in the Mekong Delta

    Travel by coach to the island town of Ben Tre on the Mekong Delta, with a demonstration of local brick and mat-making techniques, free time, and lunch featuring exotic fruits and regional cuisine.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  12. Day 12

    Traveling home

    The vacation concludes as travelers check out of the hotel and begin their journey home independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Walking tour of Hanoi begins at Sword Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, then continues by cyclo through the Old Quarter.
  • Day 3Overnight luxury cruise on UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay with visits to caves and islands.
  • Day 4Evening water puppet show in Hanoi, then overnight journey aboard the Reunification Express to Hue in double-occupancy Violette cabin.
  • Day 5Afternoon sightseeing in Hue includes the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Imperial Citadel, modeled on Beijing's Forbidden City.
  • Day 7Guided tour of Hoi An covers the Tan Ky Old House, Fujian Assembly Hall, and Japanese Covered Bridge, followed by a lantern-making class.

Included

  • Expertise of a 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 your tour
  • All internal flights
  • Breakfast each day, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included (international)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of USD 2,499 includes overnight sleeper cabin travel on the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Hue, plus Soft Seat Class rail travel from Hue to Da Nang. International flights to and from Vietnam are not included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A professional Tour Manager leads the group throughout the 12 days and leads all guided tours and excursions.
What is included in the accommodation?
Eight nights in 4- and 5-star hotels (Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City), plus one night in a double-occupancy Violette cabin aboard the Reunification Express and one night aboard a luxury cruise boat in Ha Long Bay.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, three lunches, and two dinners. Specific meals not included must be arranged independently.
How much walking is involved?
The activity level is rated as Mobility Rating 3, which includes city walking tours, visits to temples and museums, and optional exploration of the Cu Chi Tunnels underground complex.
Which trains are used?
The Reunification Express is used for overnight travel from Hanoi to Hue in double-occupancy Violette sleeper cabins, and for Soft Seat Class service from Hue to Da Nang.

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