Rail Tours in Vietnam

Beyond its compelling cities, Vietnam enjoys an unhurried way of life and travelling through this beautiful country by train is both relaxing and eye-opening. Mountainous landscapes and lush rainforest are interspersed with agricultural land, where water buffalo graze and farmers still use traditional methods to cultivate their rice paddies.

In recent years Vietnam's rail network and trains have been upgraded, and whilst high speed trains have yet to appear the existing trains are safe, comfortable and air-conditioned, making rail tours of Vietnam a pleasant and rewarding experience.

More than 2,600 kilometres of railway connects Vietnam's most unmissable cities: Hanoi, Hue, Danang and Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), following the country's rugged and scenic coastline where some of South East Asia's most pristine and idyllic beaches are found. Three branch lines extend from this main route, enabling visitors to explore Vietnam's inland towns and villages.

With every escorted rail tour of Vietnam that Great Rail Journeys offers we place equal emphasis on providing superb value for money and the most imaginative and exciting itinerary of excursions that highlight Vietnam's cultural, historic and natural wonders.

Flights, train travel and other modes of transport, overnight accommodation, a varied programme of excursions and activities and selected meals are all included in the price of your Vietnam train holiday. The services of an experienced Tour Manager are also included and they will be available whenever needed to provide assistance or offer information about the destinations we visit in Vietnam.

We endeavour to choose overnight accommodation that offers the best combination of value, location, comfort and facilities, opting where possible for family-run hotels which give our guests greater personal service in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Situated beneath China and bordered by Laos and Cambodia to the west, Vietnam curves in a long, graceful 'S' beside the South China Sea. In the course of a long and eventful history, Vietnam gained independence after a thousand years under Chinese rule.

Between 1862 and 1945 Vietnam became a French colony following a series of military conquests. Political instability and a further three decades of war, culminating in the Vietnam War which devastated the country between 1954 and 1975 followed. Unbowed, the Vietnamese nation emerged from this turmoil, rebuilding and reforming their country. Today the Vietnamese people are peaceable, hospitable and unfailingly optimistic.

This colourful history has left an indelible mark upon Vietnam's towns and cities; nineteenth-century buildings in the French-colonial style stand beside exquisite Vietnamese temples and pagodas, whilst numerous museums and monuments recall times of conflict.

Although Vietnam occupies a tropical/subtropical region, its climate varies. In general terms the far south of the country is consistently hot and humid, central regions are hot but drier except during May to November's sporadic monsoon season and the mountainous north is the coolest and wettest region.

Vietnam's famous cuisine is exciting, varied and unmissable. Perfectly balancing the freshest ingredients with herbs and spices, even the simplest dishes are memorably delicious. Pho, a seasoned broth of fresh rice noodles and herbs accompanied with beef or chicken, is practically the national dish and is enjoyed throughout Vietnam.