Vietnam by Rail

Fly to Saigon. You will be met at the airport by your Local Guide or National Escort. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, travel to your hotel and check in. Any time before this evening's dinner and welcome briefing is at leisure to explore. (D)

This morning, visit the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the Viet Cong and their guerrilla tactics during the Vietnam War, from hidden underground routes to lethal bamboo traps. Stop for lunch at an organic farm en route back to Saigon. Explore the city's heady mix of local culture and colonial influences, admiring major landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office before spending time at the poignant War Remnants Museum. (B/L/D)

Enjoy a leisurely morning taking in Saigon's Chinatown district. See Cha Tam Church and the stunning Chua Ong Pagoda, an excellent example of Chinese-inspired architecture. Wander down a traditional herbal medicine street and learn about local beliefs in natural remedies. Continue to the Reunification Palace, formerly the home of the President of South Vietnam, and tour its fascinating rooms. After lunch, get your first taste of the Reunification Express route as you hop on the SE6 service from Saigon. In just under four hours, arrive at the coastal resort of Phan Thiet and transfer to your beach hotel before dinner. (B/L/D)

The morning is at leisure to relax or enjoy Phan Thiet's white sand beaches. This afternoon, drive 4 hours into the Central Highlands to Dalat, watching as the scenery transitions from low-lying coastal plains to tea-covered hills and mountains. Arrive in the town of Dalat, sitting at 1500m above sea level on the Langbian Plateau. Its refreshing mountain climate made it a favoured summer getaway for the French colonists, who have left their mark on this 'City of Flowers'. (B/L/D)

Begin your explorations at the Art Deco-style 'summer palace' of King Bao Dai, the last king of Vietnam. Continue to the train station and take the vintage open-air train to the village of Trai Mat, the site of King Bao Dai's holiday and hunting camp. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the village before driving to Cau Dat Tea Hill, established in 1927 and still a hub of tea production. (B/L/D)

Visit Domain de Marie Church, built in 1943, followed by a relaxed walk through Dalat's lovely Flower Gardens. Enjoy a stroll through the grounds here, admiring its topiary and vibrant flower collections. After lunch, take an 80-minute flight to Danang in Central Vietnam. Transfer 45 minutes through the verdant countryside to the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An. With its charming yellow buildings and vivid silk lanterns, a stroll through this traditional town feels like stepping back in time. (B/L/D)

Head out on a walking tour of the Old Town, with visits including Chua Ong Chinese Pagoda, a 200-year-old merchant house, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Stop by a traditional house to hear about a local practice of healing through martial arts, created and taught by this family for generations. The method combines Qigong, Tai Chi, and a Vietnamese martial art called Vo. Practice some basic steps under the guidance of the master. Finally, stop by a small coffee shop before enjoying the rest of the afternoon free at leisure to explore Hoi An. (B/L/D)

Head out into Hoi An's peaceful countryside to visit an organic farming community. Watch the farmers at work and enjoy an opportunity to try the techniques for yourself! End your visit with a light-hearted, hands-on cooking demonstration, using ingredients from the garden to make your own lunch. Drive back to Danang and board the SE2 service to Hue (13:54-16:26). This 2.5-hour section of the Reunification Express route is considered one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world, with the vivid blue sea on one side and lush, forest-cloaked mountain on the other. On arrival, relax at the hotel until dinner. (B/L/D)

Discover Hue's magnificent history as the seat of the Nguyen emperors. Begin at the Imperial Citadel, home to the Forbidden Purple City – inspired by Beijing's Forbidden City in China. Visit the tomb of the Emperor Tu Duc, one of Hue's impressive royal mausoleums. After lunch, visit a charming enamel workshop, and learn all about Pháp Lam enamelled bronze.

This beautiful, vibrant art form reached its zenith during the mid-18th century, becoming a symbol of the city, but was almost lost until its more recent revival. Drive on to a local home, where you'll learn how local artisans create Pháp Lam cakes, inspired by this beloved craft. Finally, enjoy a 45-minute cruise along the Perfume River to see Hue's oldest and most beautiful pagoda. Return to your hotel. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, fly 80 minutes to Hanoi, Vietnam's charming capital city. Begin your day at the Ethnology Museum, with its mesmerising displays exploring the country's 54 ethnic minority groups. In its grounds are a range of full-size replica longhouses demonstrating traditional ways of life in rural Vietnam. After lunch, cross the Red Bridge over Hoan Kiem Lake to visit Ngoc Son Temple before embarking on a cyclo tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter. Each cyclo (rickshaw) takes one passenger and is operated by a cycle driver behind the carriage. Wrap up your ride with an opportunity to taste some 'egg coffee' – a local speciality! (B/L/D)

Discover the sights of Hanoi. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Quarter for an insight into the Vietnam War. Visit the Humble House on Stilts, where Ho Chi Minh lived in the grounds of the Presidential Palace, and see his Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square. After lunch, visit the serene Temple of Literature, Hanoi's first university. (B/L/D)

Beginning from the presidential palace, enjoy a stroll through the colonial architecture of Hanoi, admiring the giant Sau trees and beautiful French landmarks. Afterwards, stop to visit Hanoi's last remaining handmade papier-mâché mask family. Meet the family who own the workshop and hear about their struggle to keep the tradition alive.

Later, take some time to explore more of the Old Quarter, stopping by the centuries-old Kim Ngan Temple before lunch. This afternoon, board the SE5 service from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (15.30 – 17.51) – our third journey on the Reunification Express route. (B/L/D)

Drive out of town to visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of the Dinh and Le dynasties dating back a thousand years. After lunch, continue to nearby Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its outstanding natural beauty and scenic karst formations, nicknamed 'Halong Bay on land'. Board a small boat and meander lazily down the peaceful river while passing through a series of caves and river paddies. Finally, return to the pier and transfer back to your hotel in Ninh Binh. (B/L/D)

Drive from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay, where you will embark on an unforgettable two-night cruise through this famously beautiful seascape. Enjoy lunch onboard as you cruise out into the bay, stopping to anchor for an afternoon of activities such as kayaking, swimming, or relaxing on an island beach. Sightseeing may include visiting underground caves on the islands, which require climbing up and down steps inside and outside of the caves. End the day on deck with a drink in hand to watch the sunset, followed by a freshly prepared dinner, before retiring to your cabin for the night. (B/L/D)

Rise early to enjoy the sunrise over Halong Bay, and enjoy the changing seascapes as you continue deeper into the bay. Enjoy more opportunities to visit floating villages, hidden caves and sandy beaches before another night on board. (B/L/D)

After a night anchored out on the bay, rise early to enjoy a Tai Chi lesson on deck as the sun rises. Cruise back to port, stopping en route to visit one of the bay's impressive caves. Disembark after brunch and head to Haiphong, a port city known for its leafy boulevards and French colonial-era architecture. Take a short walking tour of the city and admire its landmarks before boarding the 2.5-hour LP8 train service back to Hanoi ahead of this evening's farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day. (B)