Depart your home country for your flight to Hanoi.
Most suited for
Couples
Ideal time to visit
October- April
If you can spare a little extra time, then there is no better way to explore Vietnam than by train. Follow the route of the ‘Reunification Express’ from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City via paddy fields, mountains and ancient ports.
As well as taking in the scenery whilst on board, you’ll have plenty of time to see the sites with our unique guided tours in each place you visit. The train carriages are not luxurious, but most are comfortable; talk to our Vietnam experts if you are concerned about the quality and would prefer to travel some sections of the journey by car or plane instead.
Vietnam Train Odyssey
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 3
Hanoi
On arrival, your guide will meet you for the transfer to your Hanoi hotel. Here there will be a combination of free time and time spent exploring the historical and cultural heart of the city. Visit the Temple of Literature, take a cyclo ride and taste some delicious local food.
Days 4 - 5
Halong Bay
It’s a road journey to Halong Bay where, on arrival, you’ll board the Dragon Pearl Boat. On your overnight cruise of the bay, you’ll pass stunning rock formations, stopping to swim, kayak and explore caves. Alternatively, you can just relax on board while watching the beautiful scenery from the sun deck or your private cabin.
Following the cruise, your guide will transfer you to Hanoi station for your overnight train journey to Hue.
Days 6 - 7
Hue
On arrival in Hue, your guide will meet you for the transfer to your resort. During your stay you’ll explore the Perfume River, The Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda, travelling between some of these sights by boat.
Days 8 - 10
Hoi An
The route over The Cloudy Pass to Hoi An has magnificent views. This journey can be taken by train or car depending on how train times work out on any given day.
On arrival in Hoi An, your guide will take you to your accommodation. Here you have three days in which to relax or to explore the pretty lantern-lined streets and excellent restaurants. During your stay, you’ll take a guided tour of the local countryside which could include cycling, fishing and padding a traditional bamboo basket.
Day 11
Da Nang to Nha Trang
Today you’ll travel south by train to Nha Trang. This route is usually by day, so there is lots of time to see the paddy fields and villages unfold before you.
Days 11 - 12
Nha Trang
On arrival, you’ll transfer to Mia Resort on the coast for a couple of quiet days by the beach.
Days 13 - 15
Ho Chi Minh City
Board the daytime train from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City for the final leg of your north-south journey.
On arrival in “Saigon” you’ll check-in at your hotel and then the evening is free for you to relax. During your stay, there will be a chance to explore the highlights of the city with a few unique local experiences too. You can also visit the mangrove forests and markets of the Mekong Delta and, if time permits, the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.
Day 16
Fly home
Depart Ho Chi Minh City for your flight back
An Epic Adventure Across Southeast Asia
There were moments while I was out and about where I thought that everyone should experience this kind of mindful travel that Experience Travel organises, as it's not backpacking where you tick off the standard party hotspots, and it's not the typical cruise for tourists to visit the standard sightseeing destinations, but an experience where I really felt I got to know the countries, meet great people and do fun stuff that most people miss.
Sven
3 March 2025Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Vietnam Experts
After living in Vietnam for almost a year, Chione knows the country inside out. From hidden street food gems in Hanoi to the best boutique stays in Hoi An, she helps travellers experience Vietnam beyond the obvious.
“Travelling by train lets you slow down and watch the real Vietnam unfold. You’ll glide past rice paddies, fishing villages, and dramatic coastal scenery that you’d never see from the air. It’s a chance to relax, soak up the views, and enjoy the romance of rail travel while linking together the country’s must-see highlights.”
Chione
Regional Expert
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of Vietnam. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you.. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences of Vietnam
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
Important FAQs about Vietnam
With Experience Travel Group, Vietnam isn’t just another tick-box holiday. We take you beyond the usual sights – yes, you’ll see Halong Bay and the Cu Chi Tunnels if you want to, but we’ll also introduce you to the quiet corners that most travellers miss. Think cycling through the backstreets of Hue, cooking lunch with a local family in Hoi An, or spending a night on a peaceful river island that barely anyone’s heard of.
We design every trip with care – using handpicked hotels, the best local guides, and routes that cut out the tourist conveyor belt. Our holidays are built for travellers who want something richer than a generic tailor-made holiday – more character, more flavour, more stories to tell when you get home.
If you want a trip where Vietnam feels personal, rather than packaged, that’s exactly what we do.
Vietnam’s weather can be a bit of a puzzle. With its long, thin shape and mix of beaches, mountains, and cities, each region dances to its own climate tune. The North, Central, and South all have distinct weather patterns – and that’s before you factor in the cooler highlands or the breezy coastlines.
Generally, November to April is the sweet spot when much of the country is dry and pleasantly warm. That said, Vietnam is almost a year-round destination, with good weather cropping up somewhere no matter the month. Whether you want winter sunshine, summer beaches, or a cultural escape with a side of adventure, Vietnam has a season for you.
Every ETG holiday to Vietnam is carefully designed to be seamless, immersive, and stress-free. Your journey typically includes international flights (if requested), guide throughout and accommodation in hand-picked, characterful hotels.
You’ll enjoy incredible, immersive experiences unique to you, all planned by dedicated Vietnam specialists, with the added reassurance of 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
