About This Trip
Over 15 days, this truly slow luxury journey takes you from Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam to Hanoi in the north. The trip features Vietnam's renowned SJourney luxury train for an 8-day, 7-night experience, combined with a quieter Lan Ha Bay cruise, allowing you to explore the country at an unhurried and highly comfortable pace.
Beyond major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, and Hanoi, the exclusive route of the luxury train includes stops at off-the-beaten-path locations, where you can appreciate Vietnam's untouched nature, historical sites, and cultural heritage. As the finale of the journey, the Lan Ha Bay cruise provides a more intimate experience, gliding leisurely among scattered limestone islands and adding an extra layer of tranquility and "slow" enjoyment to the overall experience.
Itinerary Summary
| DAY | PLACE | HIGHLIGHTS |
| 1 - 3 | Ho Chi Minh City | Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Gourmet Departure Dinner |
| 4 | Phan Thiet | Ta Cu Mountain & Pagoda, Fish Sauce Museum, Champa Poshanu Towers |
| 5 | Phu Yen | Mang Lang Church, Fresh Seafood Lunch, Mat Weaving Village |
| 6 | Hoi An | Countryside Jeep Tour, Woodblock Painting & Pottery Making, Home-Hosted Lunch, UNESCO Ancient Town Walk |
| 7 | Hue | Rickshaw Ride to Imperial Citadel, Tu Duc Mausoleum, Incense Village |
| 8 | Quang Binh | Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Cave Exploration |
| 9 | Ninh Binh | Trang An Sampan Ride, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Afternoon Tea Onboard |
| 10 - 11 | Hanoi | Old Quarter Cyclo Ride, Water Puppet Show, Temple of Literature, Egg Coffee Tasting |
| 12 - 14 | Lan Ha Bay | Dark & Bright Cave Exploration, Viet Hai Village Cycling, Kayaking |
| 15 | Hanoi | Departure |
Itinerary
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon landing, a representative will meet you at the aircraft gate with a name sign and escort you directly to the fast-track immigration lane. If you're holding a Vietnam visa on arrival, staff will assist you with the visa stamping process.
After clearing customs, you'll be greeted by your private guide and driver, who will accompany you to your hotel. Once checked in, take time to rest and adjust to the new time zone. If you'd like to explore the area or find a good restaurant, feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
- Ho Chi Minh City
Today's half-day tour begins at Ben Thanh Market, a place buzzing with local life and raw authenticity. Here you can taste local street food and observe the daily rhythm of vendors.
Afterwards, visit the War Remnants Museum, where every exhibit calls for a deeper reflection on the value of peace. From the museum, head to the historic Reunification Palace, a symbol of Vietnam's unification and the end of the U.S.-Vietnam War. A short walk away, you'll find yourself in front of the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of French colonial architecture.
After the tour, go back to your hotel for some rest. As an option at extra expense, you can dress up to appreciate the A O Show at the Saigon Opera House this evening.
- B
- Ho Chi Minh City
This morning is at your leisure. You may choose to rest, take a leisurely walk nearby, or enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the city streets.
At around 4:00 pm, your private guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and accompany you to Saigon Station. After relaxing briefly in the VIP lounge, you will board the train.
In the early evening, enjoy an elegant dinner paired with fine wines or expertly crafted cocktails, as the train slowly departs Saigon and carries you into the night along the tracks ahead.
- B D
- On Train
Wake up in the morning to the gentle rhythm of the train and enjoy breakfast before arriving at your first destination, Phan Thiet. Begin your exploration with a visit to Ta Cu Mountain, a prominent pilgrimage site for Vietnamese Buddhists. After reaching the summit, take in sweeping panoramic views of the city and explore Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda.
Next comes a distinctive culinary experience. Visit a Fish Sauce Museum to learn about the centuries-old production techniques and the cultural stories behind this essential ingredient. You will gain a deeper understanding of why fish sauce is considered the soul of countless Vietnamese dishes.
At midday, enjoy a relaxed lunch at an oceanfront restaurant, where you can sample the region's unique flavors and local cooking styles. After lunch, visit the historic Poshanu Cham Towers and explore the mystical Poshanu ruins. Surrounded by ancient stone and gentle sea breezes, you can sense the lingering spirit of a long-lost kingdom.
In the early evening, return to the train and watch the sunset glow outside your window as the journey continues toward the next destination.
- B L D
- On Train
After breakfast, today's exploration begins in Phu Yen, a destination known for its unspoiled beaches, tranquil fishing village life, rich history, and distinctive culinary traditions.
Start with a visit to Mang Lang Church, a century-old Gothic gem set in the Vietnamese countryside. Continue to Phu Tan Mat Weaving Village, where the air is filled with the sun-dried scent of rush grass. Here, you will witness traditional rush-grass weaving techniques, refined and passed down through generations of local artisans.
Lunch is the highlight of the day. Dine at a local restaurant and savor regional specialties unique to this area, where each bite carries the flavors of the sea and the salty ocean breeze.
After lunch, return to the train to relax, as the ever-changing scenery unfolds outside your window along the tracks.
- B L D
- On Train
After a leisurely breakfast, set out on a jeep tour through the tranquil countryside surrounding Hoi An. This experience takes you into the heart of local craftsmanship: at Au Lac Wood Art Workshop, try your hand at carving and printing traditional woodblock artworks, and in Thanh Ha Pottery Village, shape your own piece of pottery.
Enjoy a home-style lunch prepared by a local family; the dishes are prepared with the freshest local ingredients, which is a truly satisfying experience for your palate.
In the afternoon, take an immersive journey through time in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hoi An Ancient Town. Starting at the lively Hoi An Market, continue to the ornate Fujian Assembly Hall and the Phung Hung Ancient House, which holds the stories of several generations, before arriving at the Japanese Covered Bridge, a symbol of cultural exchange and harmony. Each step follows centuries of commercial and cultural history.
Before returning to the comfort of your private train cabin, enjoy time at leisure to explore hidden galleries and artisan workshops tucked away in quiet lanes, and experience the true living soul of the ancient town.
- B L D
- On Train
In the morning, begin with a poetic train journey through pastoral landscapes. In the soft morning light, transfer to a rickshaw ride to reach the Imperial Citadel of Hue, where you can experience the solemn grandeur of Vietnam's last empire amid its walls and palaces.
Continue to the Tu Duc Mausoleum, a site that unfolds among pine-covered hills, then visit Hue's traditional incense village, where hands-on experiences such as crafting incense or weaving conical hats offer a glimpse into the living arts of the former imperial capital.
After enjoying a lunch of Hue cuisine that blends imperial refinement with local flavors, carrying with you the city's sense of tranquility and elegance, return to the train in the afternoon and slowly bid farewell to this historic royal capital.
- B L D
- On Train
In the morning, the train arrives in Quang Binh, often referred to as the "Kingdom of Caves." Board a boat and glide quietly along the ribbon-like Son River into the embrace of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. With mountain silhouettes reflected in mirror-like waters, you continue into the depths of Phong Nha Cave, where, under soft points of light, you'll marvel at the fantastical formations of stalactites shaped over millions of years.
Have some rest on the train, and if you're interested, join a demonstration Vietnamese cooking class, set beside the rice fields. Guided by local hosts, learn to identify fresh herbs and prepare authentic sauces, then enjoy a selection of home-style dishes amid rising cooking smoke and warm laughter.
- B L D
- On Train
At dawn, enjoy an elegant breakfast aboard the luxury train, welcoming the idyllic morning of Ninh Binh. Transfer to a small wooden boat called sampan and glide leisurely through the emerald waterways of Trang An. While navigating among tranquil reflections of karst peaks and entering a series of mysterious caves, finding yourself in a living landscape that embodies as "water surrounds the mountains, mountains embrace the water."
Next, visit Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam's first independent dynasty, and listen to echoes of the 10th century among temples and ancient ruins. In the afternoon, return to the train's cozy dining car for a leisurely afternoon tea, allowing the lingering impressions of mountains, rivers, and history to gently settle.
- B L D
- On Train
After enjoying a delightful breakfast aboard the luxury train, the journey arrives in Hanoi. Check out around 10 a.m., and your private guide and driver will be waiting at the train station to accompany you to your hotel in Hanoi for a short rest.
Your tour in Hanoi begins with a visit to the Vietnamese Women's Museum, where history, culture, fashion, and spiritual life come together to reveal the social structure and cultural soul of Vietnam.
Later, head into the Old Quarter. Hop on a cyclo, Vietnam's traditional rickshaw, and weave through the lively atmosphere of the "36 Streets," passing the serene Hoan Kiem Lake and experiencing the vibrant pulse of Hanoi. Nearby, watch a performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre to experience one of Vietnam's thousand-year-old intangible cultural heritages. Puppets dance gracefully on water, bringing to life vivid scenes of farmers at work and dragons at play, accompanied throughout by live traditional music.
If you're looking for a good place for dinner, we highly recommend a sophisticated culinary experience at the MICHELIN Selected Le Beaulieu, where you can savor innovative French haute cuisine in Hanoi's most prestigious setting.
- B
- Hanoi
After breakfast, begin your exploration of Hanoi's iconic landmarks with your guide. Start at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, walking from the solemn mausoleum to the modest Stilts House where he once lived, offering insight into the inner world and values of a national leader. Nearby stands the Presidential Palace, with its yellow façade and colonial-era architecture, forming a striking contrast. Conclude this area with a visit to the One Pillar Pagoda, rising gracefully from a lotus pond.
Next, head to the Museum of Ethnology. Inside the exhibition hall, you'll see handicrafts, textiles, and traditional costumes representing Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, and learn about the lifestyles and cultural traditions of communities such as the Hmong and Tay. Outdoors, life-size reconstructions of traditional houses allow you to step into the everyday living environments of the ethnic communities.
After lunch, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, where you'll feel the thousand-year-old cultural heritage passed down under the stone stelae and ancient trees.
No visit to Hanoi would be complete without egg coffee. Follow your guide to a quiet, tucked-away café and enjoy this Hanoi-born specialty, savoring its rich, velvety texture while taking in the city's relaxed rhythm, where tradition and modern life seamlessly intertwine.
- B L
- Hanoi
This morning, your private car will pick you up and transfer you to Tuan Chau Harbor (approx. a 2.5-hour drive), where you will board a tender boat to reach your luxury cruise. Upon arrival, the cruise manager and crew will warmly welcome you on board. After settling into your private cabin, it will be time to enjoy a delicious lunch as the cruise gently sets sail toward Lan Ha Bay, which is quieter and more exclusive than Halong Bay.
As the cruise anchors in tranquil waters, your private time for relaxation begins. Make full use of the onboard facilities: swim in the infinity pool, slide directly into the emerald waters from the inflatable slide, or explore the surrounding karst formations by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. For something lighter, enjoy a round of mini golf on the top deck.
As evening falls, in addition to relaxing on your exclusive balcony and taking in the starlit calm of the bay, you may join happy hours on the sundeck and a chef-led cooking demonstration. In the evening, a variety of onboard activities are available for your enjoyment, including the bar lounge, squid fishing, games, and karaoke.
Tip: As all luggage is carried on board with you, we recommend keeping items you will need during the cruise easily accessible, so you can avoid repeatedly unpacking and repacking.
- B L D
- On Board
At dawn, welcome the new day with a gentle Tai Chi session on the sundeck, moving in rhythm with the soft morning light over the bay. Afterwards, join a day cruise and transfer to Viet Hai Village, hidden deep within Cat Ba National Park. Cycle along rainforest paths and rice fields, then step into time-worn homes of bamboo, straw, and mud to learn how rice wine is made and experience the quiet life of this remote village.
Afterwards, head to the untouched shores of Ba Trai Dao Beach, a hidden gem of Lan Ha Bay. Swim or kayak in clear waters framed by white sand and with few visitors around, enjoying a rare sense of peace and privacy. Then return to the cruise for some rest and a sumptuous lunch.
In the afternoon, you can join a Vietnamese tea ceremony onboard, where time slows as you discover the rituals, aromas, and quiet artistry behind one of Vietnam's most cherished traditions. As the sun begins to set, take in sweeping views of the bay bathed in golden light from the deck.
After night falls, savor a generous seafood dinner on board. Later, try onboard activities, or simply gaze up at the stars, letting the gentle waves of Lan Ha Bay lull you into a restful sleep.
Note: The cycle ride is about 6 km, and an electric car ride can be arranged at your request.
- B L D
- On Board
This morning, you may once again rise early and begin the day with a rejuvenating Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Afterwards, enjoy a final, intimate farewell to the bay as you glide by traditional bamboo boat into the Dark & Bright Cave, passing through a low, arched passageway that opens onto a tranquil lagoon framed by lush greenery and dramatic limestone cliffs.
After returning to your cruise for brunch, transfer by tender boat back to Tuan Chau Harbor, where your private car will be waiting to comfortably escort you back to your hotel in Hanoi for rest.
- B
- Hanoi
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Free at leisure until hotel check-out and take a private transfer to the airport for your international flight home. A fast-track service will be arranged for you to skip the line.
- B
What Our Clients Say
Explore the latest verified reviews of Odynovo's travel services on Tripadvisor, Google, Trustpilot, Product Review and more trusted platforms.
How It Works
-
Tell us your tour ideas Complete our inquiry form
-
Discuss with a travel specialist Customize your itinerary
-
Securely book your tour Confirm when you're satisfied
Quick Question

