Vietnam offers countless ways to explore its beauty, from pristine beaches to mountain trekking, motorcycle adventures across winding roads. Yet one option remains surprisingly overlooked: the railway. A luxury train Vietnam journey presents a distinctive alternative to conventional travel methods, transforming transportation into cultural immersion. Traveling Vietnam by train allows deeper engagement with local culture through onboard performances, regional cuisine and strategic stops at heritage sites. The cultural train Vietnam movement has revitalized historic routes, blending colonial-era charm with modern amenities. This article explores how premium rail journeys redefine Vietnamese tourism, showcasing routes that prioritize experience over speed.
Luxury Train Vietnam North To South
I. SJourney, one of the best luxury train Vietnam
SJourney represents the first
luxury train Vietnam, officially launched to redefine the rail travel experience across the country. This ambitious initiative aims to combine the elegance of 1920s Indochinese style with modern comfort, offering travelers an authentic cultural immersion while traversing some of Vietnam's most spectacular landscapes.
The train's design draws inspiration from the harmonious fusion of traditional Vietnamese architecture and French colonial influences. Each carriage has been designed to create a refined atmosphere where precious woods, delicate textiles, and meticulous details evoke the golden age of train travel. Twin cabins offer 10 square meters with two single beds, while Double cabins provide a double bed for couples. The Bistro Car, a true gem of the train, accommodates over 60 passengers in an elegant setting available 24/7. The daily cultural shows feature performances of traditional Vietnamese music on the “dan tranh”, regional folk dances, and artistic demonstrations reflecting the cultural heritage of each destination visited.
Traveling Vietnam by train with SJourney offers a choice of several exceptional itineraries:
- Southbound Legacy (Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City): 8 days, 7 nights, from USD 9,890 (approximately EUR 9,200)
- Northern Heritage (Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi): 8 days, 7 nights, from USD 9,890 (approximately EUR 9,200)
- Trail of the Dragon Back (Hanoi - Ha Long): 4 days, 3 nights, from USD 3,890 (approximately EUR 3,620)
- Indochina Coastline (Ho Chi Minh City - Quang Nam): 4 days, 3 nights, from USD 4,490 (approximately EUR 4,180)
II. Hoa Phuong Do (Red Flame Tree), Vietnam’s luxury train between Hanoi and Hai Phong
Hoa Phuong Do was officially launched on May 10, 2025, by Vietnam Railways Corporation in collaboration with the city of Hai Phong. This launch celebrates the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong's liberation and marks a new era for Vietnamese rail tourism. Its primary mission is to transform the train journey between Hanoi and the port city into an immersive cultural experience, establishing the historic Hai Phong railway station as a recognized tourist destination.
The architecture of this
luxury train Vietnam is directly inspired by the red flame tree, an iconic symbol of Hai Phong. The 20 carriages feature a vibrant red exterior, while the interior exudes the refined elegance of Indochina style. Two VIP carriages offer 34 seats in a sophisticated setting that blends modern lines with traditional Asian tones, featuring precious wood flooring, individual sofas, onboard bars, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The other 18 carriages offer 56 next-generation swivel seats that rotate 180 degrees, eliminating the discomfort of traveling facing backward.
Discovering
Vietnam by luxury train with Hoa Phuong Do is available on the Hanoi - Hai Phong route with four daily trains, taking approximately 2.5 to 3 hours:
- VIP Cabin: 350,000 VND (13 EUR) per person
- Soft Seats: 180,000 VND (6.80 EUR) per person
- Standard Seats: 150,000 VND (5.70 EUR) per person
III. The Vietage, luxury train Vietnam Da Nang
Launched in 2020 by Anantara Hotels & Resorts,
The Vietage has established itself as a benchmark for
luxury train travel in Vietnam's central region. The concept is based on an elegant immersion between Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang. The train doesn't offer a long, continuous journey typical of luxury trains in northern and southern Vietnam, but rather refined segments tailored to travelers seeking comfort, fine dining, and relaxation for a few hours.
This
Vietnam’s luxury train consists of an exclusive carriage integrated into the regular trains connecting Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang. This space accommodates only 12 passengers, guaranteeing tranquility, privacy, and personalized service. The design draws inspiration from Indochina with a warm color palette dominated by dark wood, supple leather, and textured fabrics. The wide seats are arranged to offer unobstructed views of the scenery while maintaining a degree of privacy. The lines remain simple and balanced, without excessive decoration.
The included services meet the expectations of a premium journey. Passengers enjoy a gourmet meal showcasing local flavors, selected beverages, an onboard bar, Wi-Fi access, and a relaxation area with head and shoulder massages.
The itineraries focus on the central region of the country, with an ideal duration to enjoy comfort without fatigue.
- Da Nang - Quy Nhon: Approximately €300 per person
- Quy Nhon - Nha Trang: Approximately €300 per person
- Da Nang - Nha Trang: Approximately €600 per person
IV. Victoria Express for discovering Vietnam by luxury train
Victoria Express was created by Victoria Sapa Resort, a renowned four-star establishment that exclusively manages this premium rail service. The train's design evokes a French colonial atmosphere with cabins entirely paneled in precious woods. The train comprises three cars: a high-end dining car offering a full buffet menu, and two sleeper cars accommodating only 48 passengers to ensure complete privacy. Passengers enjoy exclusive access to the Victoria Lounge in Hanoi before departure, with complimentary refreshments.
Luxury train travel in Vietnam with Victoria Express is available on the Hanoi - Lao Cai route, with six weekly departures:
- Deluxe Cabin (2 berths): VND 3,816,000 (EUR 145) one way per person
- Superior Cabin (4 berths): VND 2,605,000 (EUR 99) one way per person
The overnight journey takes approximately 8.5 hours, departing Hanoi at 10:00 PM and arriving in Lao Cai at 6:20 AM. From Lao Cai, a private 40-kilometer transfer takes you to Sapa.
V. La Reine, luxury train Da Lat Vietnam
La Reine was officially launched on December 24, 2024, by Vietnam Railways Corporation at Da Lat Station in the Central Highlands. This launch coincided with the Da Lat Flower Festival 2024, aiming to enhance the railway tourism offerings on the Da Lat - Trai Mat route.
The train's architecture is directly inspired by the Palace of Queen Nam Phuong, wife of King Bao Dai, the last ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). The carriages boast a sophisticated, luxurious design that harmoniously blends Indochinese styles with French influences. Each carriage has 36 seats arranged along both sides, allowing passengers to comfortably admire the scenery on either side of the journey. The VIP compartments offer 12 seats, perfect for families seeking privacy. Amenities include complimentary artichoke tea, free Wi-Fi, and live musical performances during the trip. Night trains offer additional light snacks.
Luxury train Vietnam with La Reine takes place on the short, 7-kilometer Da Lat - Trai Mat tourist route:
- Round-trip ticket: 170,000 VND (6.50 EUR) per person
- One-way ticket: 80,000 VND (3 EUR) per person (minimum groups of 10 people)
VI. The Hanoi Train, cultural train Vietnam with luxury experience
The Hanoi Train, officially named "Hanoi 5 Cua O", was launched in August 2025 by Vietnam Railways Corporation. This historic launch marked the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, positioning the train as a major innovation in Vietnamese rail tourism in 2025. The project's mission is to transform train travel into an immersive cultural experience celebrating Hanoi's millennia-old heritage while creating a vibrant bridge between the modern capital and the ancestral lands of Bac Ninh.
The train's architecture brilliantly reflects the five ancient gates of the Thang Long Citadel: Quan Chuong Gate, Cau Den Gate, Cau Giay Gate, Cho Dua Gate, and Dong Mac Gate. Each double-decker carriage is named after a historical gate and features unique themed decorations. The set comprises 10 cars, including 5 double-decker passenger cars accommodating 44 to 65 seats each, and 2 open-air cars dedicated to photo opportunities. Large panoramic windows allow passengers to comfortably admire the scenery throughout the journey. The interior design blends warm wood, soft lighting, motifs inspired by the stylized Long Bien Bridge on the doors, the Red River on the ceilings and floors, patterned tiles, antique French shutters, and carefully integrated Dong Ho paintings. Live artistic performances include songs such as "quan ho," "ca tru," "cheo," and "xam," accompanied by demonstrations of Dong Ho painting and "banh phu the" making. The service includes lotus tea, "banh com," and "banh ran," depending on the season.
This
Vietnam’s luxury train experience takes place on the Thang Long - Kinh Bac cultural route with three daily departures:
- First-floor seats: 550,000 VND (21 EUR) per person
- Second-floor seats: 650,000 VND (25 EUR) per person
- VIP O Cho Dua carriage: 750,000 VND (29 EUR) per person
The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, including a 1 hour and 40 minute stop at the Do Temple dedicated to the Eight Ly Kings, allowing participation in traditional Bac Ninh cultural activities.
VII. “Connecting Central Vietnam’s Heritage” to discover central Vietnam by luxury train
The
“Hanh trinh ket noi di san mien Trung” (Connecting Central Vietnam’s Heritage) train was launched on March 26, 2024, by Vietnam Railways Corporation in collaboration with the provinces of Thua Thien Hue and Da Nang. This initiative celebrates the rich heritage of Central Vietnam by creating a vibrant cultural corridor between two imperial cities. The project's mission is to promote the region's UNESCO World Heritage sites while offering an attractive tourist alternative on the country's most scenic railway line, traversing the legendary Hai Van Pass.
The train's design prioritizes cultural authenticity over material luxury. Following its refurbishment in March 2026, this
cultural train Vietnam sports a distinctive Hue purple livery combined with light gray and a bronze-gold logo. The train comprises 12 cars, each standard car offering 56 fully refurbished, 180-degree swivel seats for flexible viewing of the scenery. The 32-seat VIP car adopts the style of the Hue imperial court, creating a uniquely refined atmosphere. Two community cars host artistic performances by Hue artists (Nam Binh, Phu Luc, Co Ban), and sell local culinary specialties such as banh beo, banh nam, banh bot, and bun ca cay. The tour includes a 10-minute stop at Lang Co train station, allowing for souvenir photos overlooking one of the world's most beautiful bays.
Traveling by luxury train in Vietnam with this heritage train takes place on the spectacular 100-kilometer Hue-Da Nang route with two daily departures:
- Standard single ticket: 150,000 VND (5.70 EUR) per person
- Monthly pass: 900,000 VND (34 EUR) unlimited round trip
- VIP Imperial Court style carriage: 500,000 VND (19 EUR) per person
The journey takes approximately 3 hours, crossing the Hai Van Pass, nicknamed "The First Majestic Fortress Under Heaven," offering unforgettable panoramas of the sea and mountains characteristic of central Vietnam.
Traveling by luxury train in Vietnam transforms every journey into an immersive cultural experience. Options are available to suit all budgets, from short getaways to comprehensive tours that include major UNESCO World Heritage sites. The luxury train journey from North to South Vietnam repositions rail as a tourist attraction in its own right, rather than simply a means of transport. This evolution reflects the growing dynamism of the Vietnamese travel industry, offering memorable alternatives to traditional routes. Luxury train Vietnam perfectly embodies a new vision of tourism, blending authenticity and refinement. Book your rail adventure now to discover the country from a unique and unforgettable perspective.
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