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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

SJourney: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Luxury train journey across Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Illustration of SJourney: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Great Rail Journeys' SJourney runs a 14-day escorted tour from London through Vietnam, combining seven nights aboard SJourney, the country's first luxury train, with four nights in 4-star hotels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The journey departs Hanoi on the SJourney itself and travels south to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping at UNESCO World Heritage sites and historic cities along the way. Days aboard the train include sampan boat journeys through limestone karsts on emerald rivers, visits to ancient temples and imperial citadels, tours of craft villages and incense workshops, and a subterranean river voyage in a cave system. The train itself recalls 1920s colonial elegance with cabin service, fine dining, and meticulously prepared Vietnamese cuisine. Travellers spend two free days in Hanoi and two in Ho Chi Minh City, with optional paid sightseeing tours available. The itinerary suits luxury-seekers, history enthusiasts, and those keen to experience Vietnam's cities, countryside, and coastal regions while travelling primarily by rail.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip includes two international flights (London Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to London Heathrow) and travel time; the rail journey itself spans seven nights of the 14-day tour.
  • Days 2, 3, 11, and 12 in the cities offer 'free time' with optional paid sightseeing tours; not all meals are included on those days (breakfast and one lunch provided on Days 12 only).
  • Hotels vary by tier: the pack lists four options (Silk Path and Hotel du Parc in Hanoi, Saigon Prince and Caravelle in Ho Chi Minh City); your final accommodation depends on the tier you select.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Flight

    London to Hanoi

    Your luxurious Vietnamese journey begins with an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Hanoi.

  2. Day 2overnight: Hanoi

    Arrival in Hanoi

    Touch down in Vietnam's capital and transfer to your chosen hotel, ahead of a free day to acclimatise to your new surroundings.

  3. Day 3overnight: Hanoi

    Uncovering Vietnam's bustling capital

    Free day to explore Hanoi. Optional pre-bookable sightseeing tour taking in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, lunch at a local restaurant, cyclo ride through the streets, Ngoc Son Temple, Hoan Kiem Lake, and a traditional water puppet show. Optional evening street food excursion. Optional Ha Long Bay cruise (day or overnight).

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: SJourney train

    Boarding SJourney for a luxurious journey

    Free morning in Hanoi, then private transfer to Gia Lam station. Welcome to the VIP lounge before boarding SJourney. Check in to your elegant cabin recalling 1920s rail travel. Each cabin has twin or double configuration, table and chair set, wardrobe, minibar, and ensuite bathroom. Each sleeping car contains just three cabins and a butler's room. Evening dinner in the opulent restaurant as SJourney departs Hanoi and crosses the Red River at twilight.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: SJourney train

    Trang An boat trip & ancient Hoa Lu

    Breakfast aboard SJourney. Arrive in Ninh Binh and transfer to Trang An UNESCO World Heritage site. Board a traditional sampan to explore jungle-draped limestone cliffs over an emerald river. Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient capital, to explore temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties. Return to train for afternoon tea. Admire mountainous landscapes before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: SJourney train

    Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

    Leisurely breakfast onboard. Visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (UNESCO World Heritage site), known for dense jungle, limestone rocks and cave systems. Boat voyage along the Son River and into Phong Nha cave's subterranean river with stalactites and stalagmites. Lunch back onboard. Evening authentic Vietnamese dinner amid rice fields panoramas. Optional cookery class.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: SJourney train

    Uncovering Vietnam's last empire in Hue

    Arrive in Hue. Rickshaw ride through peaceful streets to the Imperial Citadel (heart of the Nguyen Dynasty 1802–1945), modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City. Visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. Visit the incense village to see artisans shaping cinnamon, agarwood and lotus-infused incense. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to train for relaxation and dinner aboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: SJourney train

    Traditional crafts in lantern-lit Hoi An

    SJourney crosses the Hai Van Pass. Breakfast and Vietnamese coffee onboard. Arrive in Hoi An. Jeep tour to Au Lac Wood Art workshop and Thanh Ha Pottery Village. Traditional lunch at a local house. Guided tour of Hoi An's Old Town including the market, Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, Phung Hung or Tan Ky ancient houses, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Return to train for dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: SJourney train

    Phu Yen, the quiet heart of coastal Vietnam

    Breakfast aboard. Visit Mang Lang Church (Gothic, built 1892). Visit Phu Tan village where artisans weave mats from rush grass. Lunch at a local restaurant featuring Phu Yen seafood specialities. Train travels southwards towards Binh Thuan. Curated dinner in the dining car.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10railovernight: SJourney train

    Ancient heritage in Phan Thiet

    Spiritual excursion to Ta Cu Mountain in Binh Thuan, featuring the seven-layered Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda and the longest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam. Visit the Fish Sauce Museum on the coast. Lunch at an oceanfront restaurant. Relax aboard SJourney. Transfer to ancient Poshanu Towers (built late 8th century, Champa civilisation) for farewell dinner at sunset. Return to train for final night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

    Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City

    SJourney arrives early at Sai Gon station. Final breakfast aboard before disembarking. Private transfer to chosen hotel. Free day to unwind or explore Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), with its wide leafy boulevards, grand colonial buildings and Vietnamese traditions.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

    Exploring Ho Chi Minh City

    Free day to explore independently or via optional sightseeing tours. Options include: Cu Chi tunnels tour; Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing (Sino-French History Museum, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Colonial Post Office, Chinatown, Binh Tay market, Thien Hau Temple); or a full-day Mekong Delta tour by boat, bicycle or cyclo.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  13. Day 13overnight: Flight

    Homeward bound

    Private transfer to the airport for a flight to London Heathrow. Optional Cambodia extension available (Siem Reap and Angkor Wat).

    Meals: Breakfast

  14. Day 14

    Arrival London Heathrow

    Arrive back in London Heathrow.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Board SJourney at Gia Lam station in Hanoi; check into your 1920s-style cabin with ensuite bathroom and butler service as the train departs for Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Day 5Sampan boat journey through Trang An's UNESCO World Heritage limestone cliffs and jungle-draped emerald river, then explore temples at Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient capital.
  • Day 6Boat voyage on the Son River into Phong Nha cave's subterranean river to view stalactites and stalagmites in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
  • Day 7Rickshaw ride through Hue to the Imperial Citadel, the heart of the Nguyen Dynasty, and visit Emperor Tu Duc's Mausoleum.
  • Day 8SJourney crosses the Hai Van Pass before reaching Hoi An; guided tour of the Old Town includes the Japanese Covered Bridge and Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall.

Included

  • 4 nights in 4-star hotel accommodation
  • 7 nights on board SJourney luxury train
  • All rail and transfers throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to London Heathrow
  • Bed & Breakfast in hotels
  • Full board on SJourney train

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 8,995 includes seven nights aboard SJourney and all rail transfers throughout the tour, plus international flights from London.
What is SJourney?
SJourney is Vietnam's first luxury train. Each sleeping car contains just three cabins with 1920s-style furnishings, a table and chair set, minibar, wardrobe, and ensuite bathroom. A butler serves each car.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys operates it as an escorted tour with guided excursions at each stop, private transfers, and rickshaw or jeep tours included.
Which hotels are included?
Four nights in 4-star hotels: either the Silk Path or Hotel du Parc in Hanoi, and either the Saigon Prince or Caravelle in Ho Chi Minh City. Your choice depends on the accommodation tier you select.
Are all meals included?
Full board is included aboard SJourney (seven nights). In hotels, only bed and breakfast are included; optional paid meals are available. Lunch is included on most excursion days.
What optional activities are available?
Hanoi sightseeing tour, Ha Long Bay day or overnight cruise, cookery class at Phong Nha, Cu Chi tunnels tour, Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing, and a full-day Mekong Delta tour. A Cambodia/Angkor Wat extension is also offered.

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