Luxury Rail Journey Through Vietnam

Upon arrival, your tour guide and driver will meet you at Danang Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Hoi An. Check-in is available from 2pm.

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Start your day with a guided walking tour through Hoi An’s narrow streets. Meet a heritage specialist to learn about the restoration work and challenges of preserving Hoi An’s old town. Understand the impact of annual flooding, urbanisation, and government support on the residents. 

In the afternoon, bike through Hoi An’s hidden passageways, stopping to photograph the Japanese bridge. Visit a local family and learn how to make 'banh dap'. Continue and ride to one of Hoi An's most beautiful villages, stopping at a local family's home to learn about the tradition of family chapels. Your host is nearly 90 years old and fought in the Vietnam-American War.

Pedal past rice fields and vegetable farms to a boat-building site. Visit a mat weaving shop and a family distillery. If there is still time, you'll also have an opportunity to see families gathering to clean the fishing nets between journeys at sea. It's a short ride from here to where you'll board a local ferry for the trip back to town. Once dockside, take a five-minute ride through alleyways back to the meeting point. (B,L)

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Join a culinary adventure at an organic farm near Hoi An to explore Vietnamese cuisine. Depart from your hotel at 08:30 for a short trip to the farm, located just three kilometres from central Hoi An. Created by locals with a passion for food, the farm is managed by a nutrition expert.

Begin with a farm tour, learning about the balance of flavours in Vietnamese cooking: sweet and savoury, cool and warm, fresh and fermented. Hand-pick fresh ingredients for your cooking session. In the farm's kitchen, prepare multiple dishes and learn how to cook using traditional methods including grinding rice flour with an ancient stone grinder to make rice paper. After cooking, enjoy a meal of the dishes you've made. Return to Hoi An after this enriching culinary experience. (B,L)

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After an early breakfast, transfer 45 minutes from Hoi An to Danang train station to board the Vietage train to Quy Nhon, departing at 08am.

The Vietage by Anantara offers a luxurious journey with only 12 seats, gourmet dining, free-flow beverages, head and shoulder treatments, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Enjoy refreshments, either at the bar or in your window-side seat, while passing through Central Vietnam’s stunning scenery. Depending on the season, see lush green landscapes or sun-drenched terrains, and spot local wildlife and daily life. A 'Discovery Book' with journey information is provided for a comfortable trip.

Upon arrival in Quy Nhon, you'll be transferred to your hotel for check-in where you'll spend the rest of the day at leisure. (B,L)

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This morning, meet your guide at the hotel and visit the Lang Song Minor Seminary, notable for its European-style architecture and as one of the first places to print books in Quoc Ngu, the Vietnamese writing system. Learn about the spread of Catholicism in Vietnam and the history of the Vietnamese language. Next, visit a pagoda in Quy Nhon known for traditional Vietnamese martial arts, where you can observe training sessions and demonstrations, and optionally participate.

After lunch at a restaurant, visit Do Ban, the old citadel of the Cham Kingdom, built in the 10th century by Cham King Ngo Nhat Hoang. Then, explore Thap Thap Pagoda (Ten Tower Pagoda) on Long Bich Hill, constructed by the Great Monk Nguyen Thieu using bricks from ten collapsed towers. (B,L)

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Free day at leisure.

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After breakfast and check-out, you'll be transferred to the train station to continue your luxurious journey aboard the Vietage train to Nha Trang. Indulge in a luxury afternoon tea featuring local caviar, Vietnamese artisanal cheeses, and a selection of cold cuts prepared by Anantara chefs.

The Vietage by Anantara's well-stocked bar ensures your glass is always full of free-flow wines, beers, cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks, coffee, and premium Vietnamese tea. For a local flavour, enjoy Vietnamese iced coffee made from beans hand-picked in the Central Highlands and sample exclusive teas from Epicurean Sao, a Vietnamese tea brand. Don’t miss the Vietnamese handcrafted gin, showcasing traditional distillation methods.

Upon arrival in Nha Trang, transfer to the pier for a speedboat journey to your resort, where you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

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During your two full free days at An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay, you can choose from a variety of activities. Options include island-hopping to nearby islands or trekking routes for scenic bay views. Couples can enjoy spa treatments, meditation, and sunset yoga, while families can relax by the pool, hike to An Lam stream, and participate in organic cooking classes. End the day with a memorable sunset catamaran cruise, creating lasting memories in this peaceful and natural environment. (B)

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Free day at leisure. (B)

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After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel for check-in.

In the evening, start your Saigon night adventure. Cruise through the city's vibrant streets in a vintage car and witness Saigon come alive in the evening glow. Discover a hidden bar nestled in a secret location and immerse yourself in the city's dynamic nightlife scene. Enjoy a delightful light dinner paired with unique cocktails skilfully crafted by a talented bartender. Prepare to unleash your inner mixologist as you learn the art of cocktail making and culinary pairings using local ingredients. (B,D)

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Begin your day with a visit to the iconic Saigon Central Post Office, a masterpiece built between 1886 and 1891 by French architect Villedieu. Explore its unique vaulted ceiling and wrought iron design, now a symbol of Saigon. Walk along Dong Khoi Street to Gia Long Palace – Ho Chi Minh City Museum, admired for its architectural beauty and historical significance. Stroll through the old central market before visiting Saigon’s oldest prewar-era apartment, discovering local creativity in boutiques and coffee shops. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue your exploration with a visit to a local artist's studio in a charming old apartment from the 1960s. Meet a skilled artist specialising in Hand Embroidery XQ Vietnam, also known for her musical talents and artistic achievements. Experience her unique blend of traditional Vietnamese art with contemporary influences. Try your hand at creating artwork before returning to your hotel.

In the evening, attend the A O show featuring talented local dancers and artists. This performance showcases Vietnam’s cultural heritage through modern choreography and traditional music. (B,L)

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After breakfast and check-out, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK. (B)