The Vietage by Anantara is an elegant railway carriage that offers luxurious train journeys through Vietnam. You can travel from Da Nang/Hoi An in the north to Quy Nhon and/or Nha Trang in the south, or start your journey in the south and head north. In April, we had the chance to experience the luxurious Vietage from Quy Nhon to Da Nang, and we’re excited to share our experience to help you decide if this journey is right for you.
Getting Around by Train in Vietnam:
Many tourists enjoy taking the train in Vietnam, especially on the “Reunification Express.” This train travels 1,726 kilometers from north to south and takes about 30 hours. The 14-hour ride from Hanoi to Danang offers beautiful views, but comfort may not meet some travelers’ expectations.
For a more luxurious option, “The Vietage” is a special train car on the Reunification Express. It lets you enjoy the trip in comfort and only takes 4-6 hours.
Cost of The Vietage:
The Vietage is pricier than domestic flights, costing between $315 and $420 per person. It’s a unique experience worth trying if you can. There are only 12 seats available, and sleeper booths cost more and need to be booked in advance. We found a good package with Anantara that included two nights in Hoi An and The Vietage ticket, which saved us money.
This was our first luxury train experience, and it was very comfortable. We might choose this way of traveling again.
Our Experience:
After a few days in Quy Nhon, we took The Vietage from Diêu Trì station to Danang. The train was set to leave at 7:00 PM and arrive at 12:30 AM. When we got to the station, the staff took us to a café for snacks like fruit and juice while we waited for the train. They plan to have a lounge soon, but for now, the café is the waiting area.
The train was a little late, but we boarded quickly. There were few other passengers, so it felt private. We were welcomed with drinks and ice cream as we got settled.
While traveling on The Vietage, you enjoy a three-course meal, unlimited drinks, and a 15-minute massage. The food was amazing, and we were glad we skipped lunch to savor it! Just remember to pre-order your meal choices a few days ahead to give the catering company time to prepare.
Since we traveled in the evening, we didn’t see as much scenery as we hoped. However, we did catch glimpses of towns, railway crossings, and homes along the way. We recommend doing the trip in reverse, going to Quy Nhon after visiting Danang and Hanoi, so you can enjoy the views during the day. Unfortunately, we realized a bit too late that we could have switched our plan to visit Danang/Hoi An first.
Sleeping on the train was surprisingly easy, despite some gentle rocking. The train moves slowly, reaching a maximum speed of 80 km/h. During the ride, we had fun chatting with the staff, trying different cocktails, and relaxing. The massage was nice, but getting it before the meal would have been better. If you can, book your massage before dinner! Before we knew it, we arrived in Danang and it was time to get off the train.
Booking Tour Packages with The Vietage through Vietnam Private Tours
After arriving in Danang, we booked an 18-day tour with Vietnam Private Tours for our exploration. We stayed in both Quy Nhon and Hoi An, enjoying train travel as part of our journey.
In Danang, we chose the InterContinental for a beach city experience, while for a more secluded getaway, we stayed at L’Alya Ninh Van Bay, which is accessible by boat. These were our top choices for Nha Trang.
We highly recommend looking into package deals, especially in Quy Nhon, for a relaxing beach experience. We stayed at Zannier Bai Han So, and the Anantara Quy Nhon option also looks great. Overall, we were very pleased with our itinerary, as it allowed us to enjoy a variety of experiences during our trip.
