Train Explorer, 14 days

On arrival at Hanoi Airport, you are greeted  by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. You may have free time to relax and catch your first glimpse of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. This treasured city is a fascinating blend of East and West, combining traditional Sino-Vietnamese motifs with French flair. The building boom has made Hanoi a rapidly developing city in Southeast Asia. However, it still retains an old charm brought from a thousand year of history, with many interesting cultural and historic monuments, beautiful lakes, shady parks, bustling street markets, funny shops and open air eating spots jostled in ancient houses, and historic temples adjoining colonial style structures. They offer both local and foreigner visitors an endless exploration. You can stroll through the fascinating old quarter containing many vibrant streets which are named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. The lively atmosphere in Hanoi old quarter runs from the early hours until late at night  with many street vendors calling, horns honking, and chaotic traffic with waves of motorbikes you’ve never experienced.

Today, we explore some major sights of Hanoi with a drive through diverse streets encompassing a millennium of the city culture and evolution to the Ba Dinh Square. This park setting contains the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (close on Mon. and Fri. and Oct. to Nov) and the Ho Chi Minh Residence. We queue up for a walk past silent sentries to pay a homage to Ho Chi Minh and  continue  to his residence, a simple stilt house set in a well-tended garden. He has lived and worked in this place until his final days. Nearby this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, of which the origins date back to the foundation of Hanoi City. We follow it with the Temple of Literature, which is now dedicated to the scholars of Confucius but was once the first university of Vietnam. The successful candidate records are still found in various stone steles set over giant stone turtles in the temple ground. We head towards the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (close on Mon.), where display in both outdoor and indoor sections, various documents, images and objects focusing on 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. Upon leaving this sight, we drive past various attractions, including Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, West Lake, Long Bien Bridge, and Opera House. There are no stops planned as it is simply a view of the cityscape. We finish a round of city tour  with a fantastic water puppet show followed by a pleasant walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, one of the major scenic spots in Hanoi.

The incredible limestone outcroppings form a spectacular seascape of Halong Bay, making it an incomparable natural wonder in Vietnam.  Heading out of the town we travel by roads through the rice fields and idyllic villages to the rocky formation of Halong Bay. We spend this afternoon to explore this stunning on  a four-hour boat trip out. The traditional style junk zigzags itself in the bay, giving us some fantastic views of the bay with a blend of  the sky and limestone islets rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. These rocky islands usually named by their distinctive shapes are littered with beautiful coves and tiny beaches.  We will anchor for an enjoyable visit to the Thien Cung Cave, one of the many beautiful sites hidden beneath towering cliffs. The grotto interior is naturally adorned with stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes and sizes. These stone columns change their color with the reflected light bringing bright green and even purple hues draping across the deep grotto.  The boat excursion continues through the karst formations back to Tuan Chau Harbour.  Along the way, we enjoy on a huge lunch served on board and catch up some last images of Halong Bay. We check in our hotel in Bai Chay and spend this evening at leisure. You can soak up the sea air by lazing along  the beachside where are a bunch of seafood restaurants, amazing bars, and night market for your funny shopping.

The  wonderful time in Halong Bay will be left behind as we make our way back to Hanoi City. Along the way, we make stop at a craft center where  many  local villagers  make the excellent craft objects  in traditional ways. On arrival in Hanoi, you spend this free afternoon to simply relax or have a look in some depth at this fascinating city. The old quarter always offers an endless exploration. You can walk through some bustling streets: Hang Be, Hang Bong,  and Hang Gai.  They are a paradise for visitors to taste many local foods and buy some souvenirs at bargaining. The largest covered market of Dong Xuan also provides some interesting views of local trade as it sells everything from clothes, household goods to foodstuffs. You can stroll around  Hoan Kiem Lake to see grandfathers playing  chess before you head towards the Fine Art Museum or the History Museum. These treasures display a large collection of  the Vietnam arts and artifacts  from the gone by time to the present day. The city turns the light on, signifying the time to bid a farewell to Hanoi. We board  the Reunification Express train for an overnight journey to Dong Hoi. The train conditions are basic; we travel in soft sleeper class which is compartment for up to four people, a communal environment. This train journey is in keeping with the adventure nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the ‘ real Vietnam’.

The train journey deliver passengers at  Dong Hoi Station.  You are met by our guide and transferred to the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. This protected area mostly covered by tropical forest contains the ancient karst mountains, riddled underground rivers, and mysterious cave networks, some of which are the Phong Nha Cave and the enormous Son Dong Cave. This world largest cave hidden in lush jungle is considered by speleologist as a heaven on earth. On arrival at  Phong Nha – Ke Bang, we enjoy a boat trip upstream on the Chay River  to explore Phong Nha Cave. This wonderful cave with several grottoes and countless stone pillars in different shape and size has 7729 meter length, but we can explore a large section of 1500 meter long only. The local boat passes through lush forest on its way to the Dark Cave, a smaller version of the  Son Doong Cave. There are no staircases installed besides a 400 m long zip line, which serves a perfect passage over the deep blue water to the Dark Cave. The interior stone formations are mostly dark; however, we can plunge into a narrow cavern and get some primitive fun from a mud bath. We leave Phong Nha  this afternoon and travel by road to Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Along the way, we make stop at the DMZ Zone and have a look at the Ben Hai River and the  Hien Luong Bridge.   

The rising flag tower draws a line for our exploration of Hue. We start our day with the massive Hue Citadel containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but partly destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive.  However, it is still fascinating to walk around to see many pavilions, bridges, libraries, and great halls. They have been restored to explain the legends of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors who have built the fortress and lived within its moated walls for nearly 150 years. We follow it with a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market, which is crammed with local treasures and also has many eating spots, all ideal for visitors to sample some local delicacies. Upon leaving this trade center,  we make our way to  the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang. This majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions and temples, was built in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. We drive through the rolling hills to the Khai Dinh Mausoleum, a synthesis of Vietnamese and European elements. The mandarin courtyard where are standing various statues of mandarins, horses and soldiers, makes for a real scene of the royal court.  The most notable place is Thien Dinh Palace housing the bronze statues and the King steles. We embark on a traditional boat, cruising along  the Perfume River to the riverside Thien Mu Pagoda. This iconic religious structure has a nice legend and a prominent architecture stretching from the river banks in seven successive tiers to monastic buildings and octagonal tower, regarded as a symbol of Hue.

Today, we board a train again for Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam. This coastal centre set in midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, has neither the atmosphere nor the hustle and the bustle of its counterparts. The local train hugs the coastline before delivering passenger at Da Nang Station. You are met by our guide and start a short tour of Da Nang, seeing the famous Cham Museum, which is formerly the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient. This beautiful mansion contains many exquisite limestone carvings from the vanquished Kingdom of Champa that has been in central coastal littoral prior to the march of the Vietnamese nation south. The scenic drive passes through various gorgeous beaches to the sensational Marble Mountain topped with five rocky outcrops. They are said to represent the five natural elements of the universe; fire, water, earth, wood and metal. This mountain has a rich history as it was used by the Cham ethnic minorities for their religious purposes but lately became a heaven for the Vietnamese fighters. The long steep staircase may involve some hardship to see this mountain top; however, you can take an optional cable car ride with small extra fees. We continue driving along the seaside to Hoi An and have free time to catch our first glimpse of this delightful town.

The ancient town of Hoi An was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries. We spend this morning to explore Hoi An on a walking tour, passing by many ornate Vietnamese tube houses, Chinese temples, and Japanese shop houses. They reflect the multi-cultural past of this ancient town. Along the way, we visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, which was first constructed in 1590s by the Japanese traders to link them with the Chinese quarters. The ornamentation has remained relatively faithful to the original Japanese design over centuries. We continue onto the Museum of Trade Ceramics, a beautifully restored timber house where displays many relics of the bygone civilization and the origins of this port town. Upon leaving this museum, we come to the typical Phung Hung House, a gem with a mixture of Japanese and Chinese architectural elements. This ancient house was built by a Vietnamese family two centuries ago and has been lovingly preserved through seven generations. We follow it with the Chua Ong Pagoda and the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. This imposing and colorful structure is one of the five well-known halls in Hoi An. You spend the rest of this day at leisure, to relax at An Bang Beach, stroll around the vibrant waterfront, make some fine garments at famous tailor shops or ride a bike to Tra Que Village.

The train journey gives a perfect way to get a real insight into Vietnam as we will pass through rice paddies, fishing villages, dense jungles and crowded towns. This authentic image of Vietnam is as much inside as outside the train. Today, we take a drive from Hoi An to Da Nang City and catch our train south to Nha Trang. We travel on soft seat class as it is day train journey. This historic railway linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh has been built over 80 years ago, and became a major travel way in bygone time; however, it was heavily damaged during the American war time. The main rail lines have been rebuilt and reopened in December, 1976 to mark the reunification of Vietnam. We ride the train south, going along the scenic coastline. This rail journey is both relaxing and eye-opening, giving a chance to see undulating mountains, lush rainforest, scenic beaches and peaceful villages. They are interspersed with agricultural land, where water buffalo graze and farmers still use traditional methods to cultivate their rice paddies. We arrive in Nha Trang City by later afternoon and take a short drive to our hotel. This coastal town is famous for many pristine beaches, diving sites and offshore islands, which make it an ideal place for anyone seeking an enjoyable beach escape.

Today, we take a short drive to the boat pier before we set off on a boat trip out to explore some nearby islands in Nha Trang Bay. On arrival at Cau Da Port, we are welcomed on boat and get some information on trip activities. The traditional style boat goes out, away from the bustling town atmosphere, and brings some incredible views of the cityscape, sapphire water and rising islands. We pass by  Hon Tam and Hon Mot  to Hon Mun Island, an ideal place for anyone seeking a true sea adventure. You can soak up the sun and sea or opt for a scuba diving to discover coral reefs and make friend with colorful fishes playing in the crystal and emerald water. This optional activity is not included; however, your guide are in hand to provide valuable suggestion. Upon leaving this island, we head towards Hon Tre Island and make a stop to enjoy some sea activities: lazing on a white sand beach, swimming in turquoise water, doing sun bath, and more. The boat excursion continues to Hon Mieu Island, offering a new image of Nha Trang Bay. We try a funny ride ashore by typical basket boat and embark on a pleasant walk around  to see an interesting scene of local villagers doing their daily works from fishing to aquaculture. The boat excursion comes to an end  by mid-afternoon. You have some time free to simply relax and make exploration of Nha Trang Town at your leisure. 

The following destination of our journey is Ho Chi Minh City via a day train ride from Nha Trang Beach Town. We travel on soft seat class and pass by many pristine beach resorts, Cham Towers, green vineyards, salt fields and rolling arid hills dotted by many sheep herbs. These exotic animals were brought into this region to serve as offerings by Cham people since the nineteenth century, and have become the main livestock in place. The train pulls into Ho Chi Minh Station, giving us a  different view of Vietnam away from the countryside  and a different type of discovery. You are greeted by our guide and driven to your hotel. The bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, still called Saigon by many locals, was originally a fishing village built up on a vast swampland, but it has developed into Saigon under the French domination. The effervescent development has bought Ho Chi Minh some cosmic changes from a war-torn city to a thriving metropolis. However, the architecture, local culture and  lifestyle in Ho Chi Minh  are still a reconciliation among French, American and Chinese influences. This metropolis rapidly becomes a commercial and cultural center of Vietnam, punctuated with elegant new international hotels and exclusive restaurants, crowded with motorbikes, cars and vociferous cyclo drivers, and excited by numerous shopping areas, sidewalk cafés and noodle stalls. They create a dynamic urban area in very special sense and make for an endless exploration.

The incredible  underground network of Cu Chi  was constructed by Vietnamese fighters during their long struggle for the independence. These extensive tunnels of over 200 km have specially contained living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, filed hospitals, accommodation, and command centers. We travel by roads this morning to Cu Chi Area where we will see an exposition hall and a widened section of Cu Chi Tunnels to get a feel of the underground life and learn a little more about the guerrilla tactics of the Viet Cong. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Upon leaving Cu Chi, we make our way  back to Ho Chi Minh and  enjoy a half day city tour. The beautiful walking square of Nguyen Hue  is  always a live attraction, giving an interesting view from the bygone time to the new fashion of Ho Chi Minh. This pedestrian boulevard is fringed with beautiful hotels, nice restaurants and luxury shopping malls.  We have a quick visit to Nguyen Hue Street  before going to see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. They boats some of the most striking colonial structures in Ho Chi Minh Center. We drive past the Independence Palace and catch  an outside view of this historical landmark on our way to  the War Remnant Exhibit. This house contains a wealth of images and real objects reflecting the notorious Vietnam- American War and the first Indochina War involving the French colonialists.  We follow it with a walk around  the retail  Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts appealing to every taste!.

Heading out of the town, we travel by road to My Tho, a gateway to the Mekong Delta. This incredibly fertile region was formed by the mighty Mekong River, which winds its way from Tibet - China through  Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and finally into Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho, we board a private boat to explore the Mekong Delta. This river trip gives some fantastic views from the red water surface to floating fish farms and lush plantation backdrop. Along the way, we anchor on the Unicorn Island and stroll around with our guide to visit this large island, where village lanes are fringed with fishponds, fruit gardens and rice fields. We make some stops at local houses to taste seasonal fruits, listen to traditional music performed by a villager ensemble, and sample honey tea. The interlaced canals are truly a lifeblood of the Mekong Delta; however, many channels can be accessed only by small boats. We enjoy a short sampan trip rowing under the palm grove to venture into this maze of canals before we continue our motor boat to the coconut kingdom of Ben Tre. This luxuriant region offers various activities from bicycle ride to horse cart carriage and motorbike pulling cart. We take one of them to discover the traditional lifestyles, culture, and history of local people and  visit some industry cottages. They may be brick-kiln ceramics, coconut candy and coconut handicrafts,... We round off our excursion and drive back to Ho Chi Minh with stopover at the vibrant  China Town. This famous trade hub is crammed with  sacred temples and mysterious narrow lanes.

There are no activities planned on  this final day. You may have free time to continue your exploration of Hanoi City, do your last shopping or simply look back upon your trip images. The holiday comes to an end with a transfer to Hanoi Airport for your departure.