The “Land Cruise” Has Arrived
For years, if you asked us for a luxury train in Vietnam, we had a short answer: “Book The Vietage.” It is a fantastic experience, but it is only a 6-hour day trip. At the end of the ride, you still have to get off, check into a hotel, and eventually face the chaos of a domestic airport to continue your journey.
In 2026, the answer changes.
The SJourney (Vietnam Luxury Express) has officially launched its full 2026 commercial schedule, and it is the game-changer we have been waiting for. This is not a “carriage” attached to a public train. This is a dedicated, full-service rolling hotel that travels the entire length of the country—Hanoi to Saigon—over 8 glorious days.
If you have ever dreamed of doing the Belmond Eastern & Oriental or the Maharajas’ Express in India, this is Vietnam’s answer.
The SJourney
1. The Concept: Why Book an 8-Day Train?
The standard luxury itinerary for Vietnam involves 4 or 5 domestic flights (Hanoi -> Hue -> Da Nang -> Nha Trang -> Saigon).
The Problem: You spend 20% of your holiday in security lines, packing and unpacking suitcases.
The SJourney Solution: You unpack once.
You board in Hanoi.
You sleep in your private ensuite cabin.
You wake up in a new UNESCO Heritage site every morning.
You never see the inside of an airport.
It is “Slow Travel” in its purest form. You aren’t just visiting Vietnam; you are watching it unfold outside your window, from the limestone karsts of the North to the emerald rice paddies of the South.
2. The Cabins: A Hotel Room on Rails
Forget everything you know about Vietnamese sleeper trains. The SJourney is designed with “Indochine Nostalgia”—think 1920s French colonial aesthetics, dark wood, brass fittings, and silk textiles.
The Setup: The train carries a maximum of roughly 30-40 guests, ensuring intimacy.
The Grand Suite: This is the category to book.
Space: 10m² (massive for a train).
The Bed: A proper Queen-sized bed (not a bunk).
The Bathroom: Private Ensuite with a marble sink, toilet, and—crucially—a hot shower.
The View: Panoramic windows that offer a widescreen view of the coastline.
Tonkin Travel Insight: The vibration on Vietnamese rails is notorious. SJourney has retrofitted the suspension on these carriages to minimize the sway, but it is still a train. If you are a light sleeper, bring earplugs, though the gentle rocking lulls most clients to sleep.
3. The Itinerary: The “Magical Mystery Tour”
The full journey takes 8 Days / 7 Nights. It stops where planes cannot land.
Day 1: Depart Hanoi. Dinner as you cross the Red River Delta.
Day 2 (Ninh Binh): Morning excursion to Trang An (the “Halong Bay on Land”) on private sampan boats.
Day 3 (Quang Binh): Explore the Phong Nha caves (home to the world’s largest cave systems).
Day 4 (Hue): A private audience at the Imperial Citadel and a royal banquet.
Day 5 (Hoi An): A stop in Da Nang to visit the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An Ancient Town.
Day 6 (Phu Yen): This is the highlight. You stop at a remote coastal province that most tourists never see. Pristine beaches and cliffside temples.
Day 7 (Nha Trang / Phan Thiet): Coastal cruising past the dragon fruit farms.
Day 8: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Flexibility: You don’t have to do the full 8 days. You can book the 4-Day Northern Leg (Hanoi to Hue) or the 4-Day Southern Leg (Hue to Saigon)
4. The Dining: Michelin Ambitions
The Dining Car, named “Le Lotus,” is the social heart of the train.
The Food: It is not “train food.” It is a rolling fine-dining restaurant. The chefs load fresh ingredients at every stop—fresh seafood in Nha Trang, fresh herbs in Tra Que, beef in Hue.
The Menu: Expect a fusion of French technique and regional Vietnamese specialties.
Breakfast: Pho Bo served with a side of croissants and café au lait.
Dinner: 4-course affairs with wine pairings.
The Bar: The “Indochine Lounge” serves free-flow cocktails, wines, and high tea every afternoon. It is where you meet fellow travelers and swap stories.
5. The Price vs. The Alternative
The projected pricing for the 8-day SJourney experience is expected to sit between $7,500 – $9,000+ USD per person. While this offers an “Orient Express” style experience, many of our clients prefer more flexibility.
The “Hybrid” Strategy (The Tonkin Travel Alternative) If you love the idea of luxury rail but want more control over your schedule (and a better price point), we recommend the “Coast & Rail” Combo:
Hanoi to Ninh Binh: Private Limousine Van (2 hours).
Central Coast: The Vietage Train (Da Nang to Quy Nhon) for the 6-hour luxury experience.
The Rest: Short domestic flights or private cars to maximize time in resorts like Zannier or Six Senses.
This gives you the highlight of luxury rail (The Vietage) without being stuck on a train for 8 days straight.
Zannier Quy Nhon
Conclusion: Is the SJourney Right For You?
The SJourney is a magnificent addition to Vietnam’s tourism map. It is perfect for the train enthusiast who wants the “Belmond” experience.
However, for travelers who want to combine luxury rail with longer stays at Vietnam’s best beach resorts, a custom private tour is often the smarter choice.
