SJourney: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Your luxurious Vietnamese journey begins with an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Hanoi.

You'll touch down in Vietnam's capital today and transfer to your chosen hotel, ahead of a free day to acclimatise to your new surroundings.

Today is a free day to explore Hanoi.

There is a pre-bookable option to join a sightseeing tour of Hanoi, taking in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda before lunch in a local restaurant. Afterwards, a cyclo ride through the streets reveals the vibrant charm of the city. You later head to Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake before finishing the day with a traditional water puppet show.

After an exciting day exploring, you might wish to spend the evening discovering and tasting Hanoi's famous street food on our optional evening excursion.

Alternatively, extend your holiday to experience a Ha Long Bay cruise, either during the day or overnight. Explore this breathtaking, UNESCO World Heritage site of jungle-draped karst rocks and tropical islands with the option to spend a night on a luxury ship in this jaw-dropping location.

Meals: Breakfast

There's a free morning to continue your explorations of Hanoi, before you are picked up from your hotel for a private transfer to your luxury train.

Upon arrival at Gia Lam station, you will be welcomed into the VIP lounge before you board SJourney, Vietnam's first luxurious train. Check in to your elegant cabin and soak up the stylish atmosphere that recalls nostalgic rail travel from the 1920s. Laid out in either twin or double configuration, each cabin contains a table and chair set, wardrobe and minibar. The well-designed ensuite bathrooms are equipped with luxurious amenities to enhance the cosy atmosphere of your private cabin. Each sleeping car contains just three cabins and a butler's room, meaning excellent service is on hand around the clock. 

This evening, join your fellow travellers in the opulent restaurant to experience your first evening aboard. In beautiful surroundings, dine on exquisite cuisine paired with fine wines or expertly mixed cocktails as SJourney gently leaves Hanoi and crosses the Red River at twilight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

As morning welcomes you to a new day, enjoy breakfast aboard the luxurious SJourney as it continues its journey into Vietnam.

Arriving in Ninh Binh, you are transferred to the astonishing surroundings of Trang An. The jaw-dropping natural beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site unfurls amid a landscape of jungle-draped limestone cliffs towering over an emerald river. Aboard a traditional flat-bottomed boat called a sampan, you are taken through this lush greenery, uncovering the breathtaking heart of Vietnam.

These scenic views continue when you arrive in Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient capital in the late 10th century. Wander among timeless temples to discover the history and Dinh and Le dynasties before reboarding the train for afternoon tea. As SJourney continues along its route later, relax and admire the mountainous landscapes before dinner this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Heading deeper into central Vietnam today, you can savour a leisurely breakfast onboard while enjoying the lush landscapes that pass your window.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the destination of your first excursion. Known for its dense jungle, towering limestone rocks and cave systems, this is a majestic example of Vietnam's natural beauty. On arrival, step aboard a boat for a scenic voyage along the Son River, gliding across the water surrounded by mountains rising majestically from the riverbanks. Entering the Phong Nha cave's subterranean river, marvel at the intricate formations of stalactites and stalagmites revealing an otherworldly underground environment.

After lunch back onboard the train, another highlight awaits this evening as you experience an authentic Vietnamese dinner amid endless panoramas of rice fields. You can also choose to take part in a cookery class before returning to the train for the night, ready for the next chapter of your journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

SJourney pulls into imperial Hue this morning and you begin your explorations after breakfast with a rickshaw ride through peaceful streets. Your destination is the Imperial Citadel, once the heart of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945, and one of Vietnam's most iconic buildings.

Modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City and often called the Purple Forbidden City, the expansive palace complex is surrounded by a series of moats fed by the Perfume River. Wandering past lavish pagodas, temple roofs decorated with dragon motifs, and attractive gardens guarded by towering walls recalls the grandeur of Vietnam's imperial past.

Leaving the citadel, a private transfer takes you to the Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc, a serene retreat of temples and gardens that reflect the emperor's love of nature and the arts. Next, you visit the incense village to view artisans shaping cinnamon, agarwood and lotus-infused incense by hand. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your train for time to relax and dinner aboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Unwind this morning as SJourney winds through beautiful scenery, crossing the picturesque Hai Van Pass. Savour breakfast and an aromatic Vietnamese coffee before your arrival in the famed 'lantern city' of Hoi An.

Travelling by jeep, you visit Au Lac Wood Art workshop to view the intricate process of skilled artisans creating woodblock paintings. From here, you head to Thanh Ha Pottery Village to admire the work of expert potters and try your hand at shaping ceramic creations.

After a traditional lunch at a local house, a guided tour of Hoi An unveils the charm of this UNESCO-listed city. From the market with its whirlwind of aromas, you will stroll through the Old Town to Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall - an architectural gem adorned with dragon statues and ornate roofs. At the Phung Hung or Tan Ky ancient houses, gain an insight into the lives of prosperous merchants, before your exploration concludes at the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, a symbol of Hoi An's diverse mercantile heritage. As the sun begins to set, return to the train for dinner and drinks.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a laid-back breakfast before uncovering the sights of coastal Phu Yen. This idyllic province blends tradition with natural beauty, boasting golden beaches and timeless culture.

Your first destination is Mang Lang Church, a stunning, weatherworn Gothic relic built in 1892 that recalls the meeting of east and west from a time of French colonial rule. From there, continue to Phu Tan, a village where artisans have been weaving mats from rush grass for centuries. Observe as craftspeople weave colourful threads into beautiful creations on this journey into living tradition. Heading to a local restaurant, enjoy a taste of the region with one of Phu Yen's seafood specialities.

Back aboard SJourney, the train travels southwards towards Binh Thuan. This evening, the dining car beckons with a beautifully curated dinner complementing the day's experience in a refined but sociable manner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today commences with a spiritual excursion to Ta Cu Mountain. This revered site in Binh Thuan became a prominent pilgrimage destination for Buddhists in the 18th century under the rule of Tu Duc. Reaching the summit, you'll discover the seven-layered Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda and the longest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam.

Later, head towards the coast to uncover the centuries-old story of one of the most important ingredients in Vietnamese cuisine at the Fish Sauce Museum. Lunch at an oceanfront restaurant allows you to experience first-hand why it's considered the soul of countless dishes as you dine on local specialities.

There's time to unwind aboard SJourney this afternoon, before you transfer to ancient Poshanu for an unforgettable evening. Built in the late 8th century, these towers represent the architectural ingenuity of the Champa civilisation and provide a stunning backdrop for your farewell dinner. As the sun begins to set and cast its glow on the towers, enjoy an incredible meal of regional dishes before returning to the train for your final night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The SJourney arrives at its destination early this morning, but you can savour your final breakfast aboard before disembarking at Sai Gon station.

As you leave, enjoy a private transfer to your chosen hotel. The rest of the day is free to unwind or begin your explorations.

Vietnam's most populous city was famously known as Saigon under French colonial rule - a name that many locals still use to this day. During their time ruling, the French heavily influenced the layout of the city, with wide leafy boulevards and grand colonial buildings. Nowadays, Ho Chi Minh City is an exciting place that's modern yet has a rich cultural history, showcased in the blend of unmistakably European architecture and assuredly Vietnamese traditions.

Meals: Breakfast

Today is free to explore this fascinating city either independently or by selecting our optional sightseeing tours.

You might wish to explore the world-famous Cu Chi tunnels. A vast underground complex developed during the war of independence with France and later utilised in the conflict against the US, at their height the tunnels stretched almost 155 miles towards the Cambodian border. As a base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968, there are still aircraft and tanks located near the entrances. Entry to the tunnels is optional, but those who want to can discover the living conditions and methods used to protect the tunnels, field hospitals and weapons factories contained within.

Alternatively, you might want to explore Ho Chi Minh City itself, visiting the Sino-French history Museum, the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Colonial Post Office. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit Chinatown, the colourful Binh Tay market and the Thien Hau Temple. Another option is to visit the Mekong Delta on a full-day tour by boat, bicycle or cyclo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Having explored the spellbinding landscapes and evocative culture of Vietnam on a luxury train journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, your adventure concludes today with a private transfer to the airport for a flight to London Heathrow, arriving on Day 14.

If you would like to extend your holiday, you can choose our Cambodia package, during which you will visit Siem Reap and explore the spellbinding lost jungle temples of Angkor Wat.

Meals: Breakfast