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Planet Rail · Luxury escorted rail journey

Treasures of the East - Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai

Luxury escorted rail journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai on two named

Illustration of Treasures of the East - Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai

Planet Rail's Treasures of the East is a 14-day luxury escorted journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai, carried aboard two signature trains: the Vietnam Express and the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express. Travellers spend nine nights aboard the trains and four nights in five-star hotels, with gourmet meals throughout. The itinerary unfolds across Vietnam's cultural heartland and into China's imperial landscape. Days blend guided city tours, UNESCO heritage sites, and water-based exploration: a private cruise through Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts, a traditional sampan ride through Ninh Binh's grottoes, and a cormorant-fishing sunset on Guilin's Lijiang River. In China, experiences include a dim-sum masterclass in Guangzhou, hands-on ceramic-making in Jingdezhen, and a Wuyi Mountains tea-culture experience with oolong tasting. The journey concludes in Shanghai with afternoon tea atop the 120th-floor lounge of Shanghai Tower and a private yacht cruise down the illuminated Huangpu River. This trip suits luxury-seekers, repeat rail travellers, history enthusiasts, and food lovers.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure date listed in the pack: April 2026 at GBP 22,300.
  • The itinerary shows optional excursions at several stops (Cu Chi Tunnels, Hoa Lo Prison, Jiuqu River bamboo raft, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, Shanghai cooking class); confirm which are included versus paid extras when booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City you are met and transferred to the five-star Park Hyatt hotel. Take time to unwind before joining your fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception Dinner, a perfect introduction to Vietnam's culinary heritage.

  2. Day 2overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Unwind at your hotel or opt for a morning excursion to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels by private speedboat along the Saigon River, with lunch en route. This afternoon, a guided tour of the city's key landmarks: the red-brick Notre Dame Cathedral, the French colonial Central Post Office, the former Presidential Palace and the War Remnants Museum, with street coffee and a short Vietnamese language lesson. This evening explore Nguyen Hue Walking Street, or opt to attend the A O Show at the Saigon Opera House.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Vietnam Express (train)

    Ho Chi Minh City and board Vietnam Express

    A morning at leisure after breakfast at the Park Hyatt. By midday, board the Vietnam Express for a gourmet lunch as the train heads north toward Hoi An, with panoramic views of rice paddies, forested hills and village life.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Vietnam Express (train)

    Da Nang & Hoi An

    Step off the Vietnam Express in Da Nang for a choice of two excursions: a guided walking tour of UNESCO-listed Hoi An with its Japanese Covered Bridge, market, Thu Bon River cruise to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, hands-on pottery and silk-lantern making; or journey to the sacred Hindu site of My Son, spiritual heart of the Champa Kingdom, with a live Champa dance performance.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Vietnam Express (train)

    Ninh Binh

    Visit Hoa Lu, the 10th and 11th-century capital of Vietnam, amidst limestone karsts and temple ruins. Lunch at the serene Emeralda Tam Coc Resort, then glide through the waters of Thung Nang aboard a traditional sampan beneath limestone cliffs and into hidden grottoes, followed by an open-air jeep tour through rustic villages and rice paddies. Return to the Vietnam Express for dinner.

  6. Day 6overnight: Vietnam Express (train)

    Ha Long Bay

    A private cruise across the emerald waters of UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, venturing into the quieter Bai Tu Long Bay, with a gourmet lunch on board. Visit Vung Vieng floating fishing village by kayak or rowing boat, then Hon Co Island with an optional visit to the hidden Thien Canh Son cave.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (train)

    Hanoi & board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    A one-hour cyclo tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter through the legendary "36 Streets of 36 Wares", then the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university. Optional visit to Hoa Lo Prison, the "Hanoi Hilton". A final Vietnamese lunch aboard the Vietnam Express, then transition at the Chinese border to the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express for a welcome dinner.

  8. Day 8overnight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (train)

    Guilin

    Breakfast in the restaurant cars as limestone formations signal arrival in Guilin. A privately chartered cruise along the Lijiang River from Guilin to Yangshuo through mist-laced valleys and jagged peaks, then an exclusive fishing boat sunset voyage to witness the age-old tradition of cormorant fishing.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (train)

    Guangzhou

    A Guangzhou dim sum experience at a historic teahouse, then a stroll through the colonial-era Shamian District and Yongqing Fang Square with its Lingnan-style buildings, cafes and galleries, before reboarding the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express for lunch. Enjoy the Observation Car's 270-degree panoramic windows or the Bar Lounge Car with resident pianist.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (train)

    Jingdezhen

    Visit the Jingdezhen Chinese Ceramic Museum, showcasing over 2,000 years of ceramic artistry, then the Ancient Kilns & Folk Customs Expo Area, working alongside master potters on a hands-on porcelain experience to shape, carve and paint your own ceramic creation. Rejoin the train for the onward journey.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (train)

    Wuyi Mountains

    Arrive into the UNESCO-listed Wuyi Mountains. Optional Jiuqu River experience aboard a traditional bamboo raft, then the Wuyi Mountain Tea Culture Experience at a renowned tea estate, discovering oolong tea including the legendary Da Hong Pao, with a guided tasting. Farewell dinner aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Shanghai

    Shanghai

    After a leisurely morning and lunch aboard the train, visit the iconic Shanghai Tower, China's tallest skyscraper at 632 metres, for afternoon tea in the J Hotel's celestial lounge on the 120th floor. As evening falls, a luxurious private yacht night cruise along the Huangpu River past the Bund and Pudong, with a bespoke dinner paired with fine wines.

  13. Day 13overnight: Shanghai

    Shanghai

    Optional morning visit to Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, the "Venice of the East", with a sculling boat ride through its canals, or an exclusive Shanghai cooking class crafting dishes like xiaolongbao with a local chef. Afternoon at leisure: relax at the five-star hotel with a spa treatment, or explore the Bund or Nanjing Road. Farewell Dinner this evening.

  14. Day 14

    Shanghai

    Your journey concludes with private transfers to Shanghai Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board the Vietnam Express for gourmet lunch as the train heads north, passing rice paddies and forested hills.
  • Day 4Walk the Japanese Covered Bridge in UNESCO-listed Hoi An or travel to My Son for a live Champa dance performance.
  • Day 6Private cruise through Ha Long Bay's emerald waters into Bai Tu Long Bay, with kayak access to floating fishing villages.
  • Day 8Sail the Lijiang River from Guilin through mist-laced valleys, then witness age-old cormorant fishing at sunset.
  • Day 12Afternoon tea in the J Hotel's celestial lounge on the 120th floor of Shanghai Tower, followed by a private yacht cruise along the Huangpu River.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The quoted price covers both the Vietnam Express from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express from Hanoi to Shanghai, including gourmet meals aboard both trains.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an escorted group journey. Planet Rail provides expert guides at each stop, and travellers join a group Welcome Reception Dinner on Day 1.
Which trains are used?
The Vietnam Express operates from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi (Days 3-6). The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express runs from Hanoi to Shanghai (Days 7-11), featuring an Observation Car with 270-degree panoramic windows and a Bar Lounge Car with a resident pianist.
What hotels are included?
The five-star Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City (Days 1-2) and a five-star hotel in Shanghai (Days 12-13). Nine nights are spent aboard the trains.
How much walking is involved?
Days include city walking tours, temple and museum visits, and boat excursions (sampan, bamboo raft, kayak, private yacht). Optional activities like visiting Zhujiajiao Ancient Town involve additional walking.
When does the tour operate?
The operator lists one departure: April 2026, priced from GBP 22,300 per person.

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