How much does it cost?

From £6,965 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $9,408 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. Private carriages on the Reunification Express cover four legs (Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, Nha Trang to Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon to Da Nang, and Da Nang to Hue over the Hai Van Pass), and the Sa Pa Express covers the Sapa to Hanoi return leg. All train rides are listed as included.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

Escorted. A Tour Leader accompanies the group throughout the 18 days.

Which trains are used?

The Reunification Express, in private carriages, for the coastal legs between Ho Chi Minh City and Hue, and the Sa Pa Express, also in private carriages, between Sapa and Hanoi.

What hotels are used?

Mai House Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City, the InterContinental Hotel in Nha Trang, Avani Quy Nhon Resort, Anantara Resort in Hoi An, Senna Hue Hotel, Apricot Hotel in Hanoi, Hotel de la Coupole in Sapa, and a night aboard the Calypso Cruise Boat in Ha Long Bay.

When does this tour run?

One departure is listed, in October 2026, from GBP 6,965 per person (ground only).

What is not included?

Return flights to and from Vietnam are not included, since this is the Ground Only fare; a flight-inclusive version is available on request.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Vietnam by Private Train (Ground Only) 2026

Escorted Vietnam rail tour on private carriages, Saigon to Ha Long Bay

Railtrail Tours' 18-day Vietnam itinerary runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Long Bay, with a Tour Leader accompanying the group throughout. The pace mixes city sightseeing, beach stays, and rail travel: after three nights in Ho Chi Minh City that include a Mekong Delta boat cruise to Ben Tre, the group boards private carriages on the Reunification Express for a string of coastal moves to Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Hoi An, and Hue, crossing the Hai Van Pass on day 10. Stays of two to three nights at most stops, including the Anantara Resort in Hoi An and the InterContinental in Nha Trang, leave time to explore rather than rush through. In the north, the trip visits Hanoi, rides the Sa Pa Express into the mountains around Sapa for a cable car ascent of Fansipan, and ends with an overnight cruise on a chartered boat in Ha Long Bay. The operator rates the activity level as Active, suiting travellers comfortable with walking tours, a mountain cable car, and an optional valley walk.

What to know before you look closer

This is a 'Ground Only' fare: return flights to and from Vietnam are not included, though a flight-inclusive version is available on request.
A short domestic flight from Hue to Hanoi on day 12 breaks up the rail and boat journey; the trip is not continuous rail travel throughout.
Only one departure is currently listed, in October 2026.
Day 9 in Hoi An is a full free day with no included activities; a cooking class or other local excursions can be arranged but are not part of the included price.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
After making your own flight arrangements to Vietnam, meet the Tour Leader at Ho Chi Minh Airport and transfer to the Mai House Hotel, our hotel for the next three nights. Time at leisure before drinks on the rooftop and a welcome dinner together.
Day 2overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing
Explore Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with visits to the historic City Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the War Remnants Museum, and the old Presidential Palace. Lunch at a local restaurant, then visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Evening at a local market to sample street food ahead of dinner along Vinh Khanh 'Seafood Street'.
Day 3railovernight: Ho Chi Minh City
Mekong Delta cruise
Journey southwest tracing Vietnam's first railway line (opened 1885) to My Tho where we board our private boat to cruise the Mekong Delta to Ben Tre, Vietnam's 'capital of coconuts', visiting local villages, fruit orchards and a coconut candy workshop before lunch featuring 'elephant ear fish'. Return to Ho Chi Minh City, rest of day at leisure.
Day 4railovernight: Nha Trang
Reunification Express to Nha Trang
Board our private carriages at Saigon Railway Station for the first of our scenic train journeys - the Reunification Express - with morning tea, lunch and an early dinner served on board. Transfer to the luxurious beachfront InterContinental Hotel in Nha Trang.
Day 5railovernight: Quy Nhon
Nha Trang to Quy Nhon by private train
Explore Nha Trang, visiting Long Son Pagoda and the Po Nagar Cham Tower, and stroll the golden beach promenade. Rejoin the private train for a coastal journey with afternoon tea and early dinner in the private dining car. Arrive Dieu Tri and drive to the Avani Resort, Quy Nhon, for a two-night stay.
Day 6overnight: Quy Nhon
Quy Nhon
Learn about Vietnam's Viet Vo Dao martial art at a local family home, then visit the historic Cha Do Ban Citadel, final capital of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Lunch at a local market sampling exotic fruits and regional dishes. Visit Bai Xep Beach before an evening at leisure at the resort.
Day 7railovernight: Hoi An
Private train to Hoi An
Return to Dieu Tri to board the private train for the scenic rail journey to Da Nang, with morning tea and lunch in the private dining car past rice fields, palm trees and villages. Coach transfer to the Anantara Resort in Hoi An for a three-night stay.
Day 8overnight: Hoi An
Hoi An Old Town
Guided walking tour of Hoi An's Old Town, including the Thien Hau Temple, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the ancient trading houses. Free time to explore, shop with local tailors, or wander the alleys. Evening meal at a local restaurant in the Old Town.
Day 9overnight: Hoi An
Free day in Hoi An
A full day at leisure in Hoi An - relax at the hotel, explore further, join a Vietnamese cooking class, or ask the Tour Leader for local excursion recommendations.
Day 10overnight: Hue
Cham Sculpture Museum and Hai Van Pass to Hue
Visit the world-renowned Cham Sculpture Museum, then lunch at a famous local restaurant before continuing to Da Nang to rejoin the private carriages for the journey over the Hai Van Pass and through stone-lined tunnels to the UNESCO city of Hue. Transfer to the Senna Hue Hotel for two nights.
Day 11overnight: Hue
Hue - Imperial City
Full-day guided tour of Hue, once Vietnam's royal capital, visiting the Imperial City and Hue Citadel, the Tomb of Tu Duc, and the Royal Arena. Explore the Thien Mu Pagoda then return by boat along the Perfume River. Evening dinner with music and art at the riverside Ben Xuan Garden House Theatre.
Day 12overnight: Hanoi
Fly to Hanoi
Short morning flight from Hue to Hanoi, Vietnam's dynamic capital. Lunch together at a local restaurant before checking in to the Apricot Hotel for a two-night stay. Afternoon Water Puppet Theatre performance followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 13overnight: Hanoi
Hanoi - KOTO and the Old Quarter
Visit KOTO for lunch, a social enterprise providing hospitality training to disadvantaged youth. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House and the One Pillar Pagoda. Evening street food tour through the Old Quarter with a Vietnamese guide.
Day 14overnight: Sapa
Sapa
Depart Hanoi for Sapa, visiting Lao Cai, the historic gateway between Vietnam and China, en route. Check in to the Hotel de la Coupole for a two-night stay. Evening electric buggy ride through the misty streets to a local restaurant for dinner.
Day 15overnight: Sapa
Muong Hoa Valley and Fansipan Mountain
Optional guided walk through the Muong Hoa Valley's terraced rice fields, or free time, before lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon cable car ascent to the 'Roof of Indochina' at Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Day 16railovernight: Hanoi
Sa Pa Express to Hanoi
Reboard the private carriages for the return journey to Hanoi, winding through misty valleys and along the Red River past rice terraces, bamboo forests and villages, with lunch served on board. Evening meal at a local restaurant before returning to the Apricot Hotel.
Day 17overnight: Ha Long Bay (cruise boat)
Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
Coach to the UNESCO World Heritage Ha Long Bay where a privately chartered deluxe boat awaits for an overnight cruise. Lunch on board, included off-boat excursions, or relax with a massage. Sundeck drinks and a Vietnamese cooking demonstration ahead of a five-course farewell dinner.
Day 18
Thien Canh Son Cave and departure
Optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck before breakfast as the boat sails to Thien Canh Son Cave, known for its stalactites. Buffet lunch on board while sailing back to Ha Long Harbour, then transfer to Hanoi Airport for flights home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Day 4: Boards private carriages at Saigon Railway Station for the first leg of the Reunification Express, with morning tea, lunch, and an early dinner served on board.
Day 10Day 10: Rejoins the private train for the journey over the Hai Van Pass and through stone-lined tunnels to the UNESCO city of Hue.
Day 15Day 15: Cable car ascent to Fansipan Mountain, called the 'Roof of Indochina' and the highest peak in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Day 16Day 16: Reboards the private carriages on the Sa Pa Express, winding through misty valleys and along the Red River past rice terraces, bamboo forests, and villages.
Day 17Day 17: Overnight cruise on a privately chartered deluxe boat in Ha Long Bay, with a Vietnamese cooking demonstration and a five-course farewell dinner.

Included

17 nights bed & breakfast plus 12 evening meals and 15 lunches
All train rides, transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed
Luggage transport
Services of experienced Tour Leader

Not included

Return flights to/from Vietnam (Ground Only fare - flight inclusive available on request)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £6,965 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $9,408 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. Private carriages on the Reunification Express cover four legs (Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, Nha Trang to Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon to Da Nang, and Da Nang to Hue over the Hai Van Pass), and the Sa Pa Express covers the Sapa to Hanoi return leg. All train rides are listed as included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: Escorted. A Tour Leader accompanies the group throughout the 18 days.
Which trains are used?: The Reunification Express, in private carriages, for the coastal legs between Ho Chi Minh City and Hue, and the Sa Pa Express, also in private carriages, between Sapa and Hanoi.
What hotels are used?: Mai House Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City, the InterContinental Hotel in Nha Trang, Avani Quy Nhon Resort, Anantara Resort in Hoi An, Senna Hue Hotel, Apricot Hotel in Hanoi, Hotel de la Coupole in Sapa, and a night aboard the Calypso Cruise Boat in Ha Long Bay.
When does this tour run?: One departure is listed, in October 2026, from GBP 6,965 per person (ground only).
What is not included?: Return flights to and from Vietnam are not included, since this is the Ground Only fare; a flight-inclusive version is available on request.