Explore This new luxury train is the best way to see Vietnam with Vietnam Private Tours. Custom handcrafted itineraries, expert local guides, and luxury private service.
Vietnam's railway runs 1,726 km from Hanoi to Saigon, hugging the South China Sea for long stretches and threading between mountains and rice paddies the rest of the way. Most trains are everyday transport for Vietnamese families. But a few carriages and routes turn the journey into the highlight of the trip, and our team in Vietnam rides them often enough to know which are worth it.
The Vietage: Da Nang to Quy Nhon in a private carriage
The Vietage is Vietnam's true luxury train: a single, beautifully restored carriage run by Anantara and coupled to scheduled trains on the central coast. There are two carriages, one heading south and one heading north each day.
- Southbound: departs Da Nang at 7:55am and reaches Quy Nhon at about 2:11pm, roughly six hours and fifteen minutes, before continuing to Nha Trang.
- Northbound: leaves Nha Trang at 2:03pm, calls at Quy Nhon around 5:55pm and arrives in Da Nang late in the evening.
- The route: 318 km of coastline and countryside past Tra Kieu, Tam Ky and Quang Ngai, the quiet heart of central Vietnam that most visitors only see from a plane.
- On board: private suites with armchair seating, a bar, a multi-course meal served at your seat, with a spa treatment offered during the journey.
What it costs: when the Vietage relaunched after the pandemic, Vietnamese press reported a fare of US$350 per person, one way. Fares have changed since, so we quote the current price when we build your itinerary. It pairs perfectly with a stay in Hoi An at one end and the beaches of Quy Nhon at the other.
The Hue–Da Nang heritage train over the Hai Van Pass
Vietnam Railways launched the "Central Heritage Connection" tourist train (Kết nối di sản miền Trung) in March 2024, and it has quickly become one of the country's favourite short rides. Renovated carriages with big windows, local decor and Hue-style snacks run between the two cities in about three hours, crossing the Hai Van Pass, which the Vietnamese call the "greatest pass under heaven".
- Timetable: two trains a day in each direction, leaving Hue at 7:45am and 2:25pm and Da Nang at 7:50am and 3:00pm (confirm before travelling, as times change).
- Fares: standard seats were priced at around 150,000 VND (roughly US$6) when the service launched, which makes it one of the best-value experiences in Vietnam.
- Tip: sit on the sea side heading south from Hue for the best views of Lang Co lagoon and the coast. We often pair the train one way with a private drive over the pass the other way, stopping at the old French and American bunkers at the summit.
Overnight sleeper from Hanoi to Lao Cai for Sa Pa
The night train to Lao Cai is the classic way to reach Sa Pa and the northern mountains. The journey takes around seven to eight hours, and the drive from Lao Cai station up to Sa Pa adds about 50 minutes.
- Private operators such as King Express, Livitrans Express and Sapaly Express attach upgraded carriages to the regular trains, with soft-sleeper cabins, fresh linen and a quieter atmosphere than standard berths. Some offer two-berth VIP cabins, ideal for couples.
- Prices: Vietnamese travel sites list four-berth deluxe cabins at around 780,000 VND (about US$30) per berth, with two-berth VIP cabins costing more. Booking the whole four-berth cabin gives you a private room for the night.
- Honest advice: it is still a train. Light sleepers may prefer the five-to-six-hour drive on the Hanoi–Lao Cai expressway in a private car, which we can arrange instead.
The Reunification Express: Hanoi to Saigon
The main north–south line takes between roughly 32 and 36 hours end to end, depending on the train; the SE1/SE2 pair is the fastest. Few travellers ride the whole way. The smarter approach is to ride one or two scenic sections, such as Hue to Da Nang or the coast south of Quy Nhon, and fly the long legs. The best trains (SE1 to SE4) carry upgraded soft-sleeper cars, which are the most comfortable choice on the line.
How much does a luxury train journey in Vietnam cost?
| Journey | Time | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| The Vietage, Da Nang – Quy Nhon | about 6 hrs 15 min | US$350 per person one way at relaunch; current fare on request |
| Heritage train, Hue – Da Nang | about 3 hrs | around 150,000 VND (≈US$6) per seat at launch |
| Deluxe sleeper, Hanoi – Lao Cai | 7–8 hrs overnight | around 780,000 VND (≈US$30) per berth; VIP cabins more |
| Reunification Express, Hanoi – Saigon | 32–36 hrs | varies by class and season |
Prices are those published in Vietnamese sources and change with season and demand. When you travel with us, the fare, private transfers to and from the station and a guide to meet you are all included in your quote.
Building trains into a private Vietnam tour
Trains work best as one ingredient in a well-paced trip: domestic flights for the long distances, a private car for flexibility, and the train for the most scenic stretches. A favourite combination is Hue to Da Nang on the heritage train, three nights in Hoi An, then the Vietage south to Quy Nhon for a few days on the beach. Ask our team in Vietnam to build it into your private Vietnam tour.
Vietnam luxury trains: FAQ
Is there a luxury train in Vietnam?
Yes. The Vietage, operated by Anantara between Da Nang, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang, is Vietnam's only true luxury train. Upgraded private carriages also run overnight between Hanoi and Lao Cai for Sa Pa.
How much is the Vietage train?
Vietnamese press reported US$350 per person one way when it relaunched; ask us for the current fare.
What is the most scenic train ride in Vietnam?
Hue to Da Nang over the Hai Van Pass, now served by the dedicated heritage train with panoramic windows.
How long is the train from Hanoi to Sa Pa?
About seven to eight hours overnight to Lao Cai, plus around 50 minutes by road up to Sa Pa.
