12D11N Rail Experience: HA NOI-HALONG BAY-NINH BINH-DA NANG-HOI AN-NHA TRANG-HO CHI MINH CITY

Code: N/A | Tour type: N/A | Duration: N/A

Overview

Code: TOUR-55299

Tour type: Group tour

Duration: 12 days

Experience the ultimate Grand Vietnam journey on this 12-day, 11-night railway adventure connecting North, Central, and South Vietnam. Discover Hanoi’s historic charm, cruise the iconic limestone karsts of Halong Bay, and explore the river landscapes of Ninh Binh. Travel along scenic coastal railways to Da Nang, Hoi An Ancient Town, and the sunny beaches of Nha Trang, before culminating in dynamic Ho Chi Minh City.

Highlight

  • HA NOI
  • HALONG BAY
  • NINH BINH
  • DA NANG
  • HOI AN
  • NHA TRANG
  • HO CHI MINH CITY

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Free day or Hanoi Half City (if you arrive at 8AM)
✈️ Airport pick-up 🚗 Transferring 🗣️ English speaking tour guide 🏨 Hotel in Hanoi 🍽️ Meal: Lunch with half tour
  • Picking you up from the airport to your hotel at Hanoi. You will arrive at your hotel, you could ask your receptionist keep your luggage and you are free and easy to discover the Old Quarter.
  • Enjoy:
  • 11:30 – Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel. Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant, where you can experience authentic Hanoi flavors.
  • 13:30 – Visit the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, built in the 11th century. This peaceful and well-preserved complex offers a deep insight into Vietnam’s history, culture, and traditional education system. It’s also one of the most beautiful and iconic landmarks in Hanoi.
  • 15:00 – Continue to Hoa Lo Prison, a historical site dating back to the French colonial period. Here, you will learn about Vietnam’s past through powerful exhibits and stories from different periods, including the war time.
  • 16:30 – 17:00 – End of the tour. Transfer back to your hotel or drop-off in the Old Quarter.
  • Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay on night cruise
🚗 Transferring 🚢 Cruise 5 star 🗣️ English speaking tour guide 🛏️ Private cabin on cruise 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • 07:30 - 08:00: Check out of your hotel and leave Hanoi for Ha Long by vehicle. Arrive at Ha Long Port around noon and board the cruise. Our crew will welcome you with a refreshing drink and a cold towel before checking into your cabin. Enjoy lunch while cruising through Ha Long Bay, passing by iconic limestone islets.
  • 15:00: Arrive at Tra Bau Area – Lan Ha Bay. Kayaking through hidden lagoons Swimming in the crystal-clear waters
  • 17:00: Enjoy the sunset and join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board.
  • 19:15: Enjoy a fusion set dinner onboard.
  • 21:00: Free time for spa, karaoke, squid fishing or relaxing on the sundeck.
  • Overnight on cruise
Day 3: Halong Bay – Ninh Binh
🚗 Transferring 🚢 Cruise 🗣️ English speaking tour guide 🏨 Hotel in Ninh Binh 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch (Dinner at your own expense)
  • Morning:
  • Wake up early for Tai Chi on the sundeck and enjoy breakfast with the sunrise.
  • Visit Thien Cung Cave, famous for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
  • Explore Dau Go Cave, one of the largest and most historic caves in Ha Long Bay.
  • 09:15: Return to the cruise and complete check-out.
  • Afternoon:
  • Enjoy a brunch buffet while cruising back to the marina.
  • Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina,take a limousine to Ninh Binh.
  • Overnight in Ninh Binh
Day 4: Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Da Nang
🚗 Transferring 🗣️ English speaking tour guide 🚆 Train ticket: Ninh Binh – Da Nang 🚉 Train Station Drop-off 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch (Dinner at your own expense)
  • Morning:
  • 08:30: Check out of your hotel and get picked up by our friendly guide, then depart for Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
  • 09:15: Have a short break for 15–20 minutes to relax.
  • 10:15: Explore Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, learn about Vietnam’s history under the Dinh, Le and Ly Dynasties, followed by a cycling tour through the local village.
  • Midday:
  • Enjoy a Vietnamese buffet lunch at a local restaurant with specialties such as goat meat, crispy rice (com chay), fish, chicken, fried rice & vegetable salad… Vegetarian foods are always available in the buffet lunch.
  • Afternoon:
  • 13:30: Visit Tam Coc by 1.5-hour bamboo boat. You will be surprised by the charming beauty here with paddy fields, river, water, cloud, sky and a stunning cave system during the boat trip. All make a masterpiece that Vietnamese people called “Ha Long Bay on land”.
  • 17:30: Get back to your hotel. Tour ends.
  • 19:00: Get transferred to Ninh Binh Railway Station for your train to Da Nang. Overnight on the train.
Day 5: Scenic Train - Arrival Da Nang
🚗 Transferring 🚉 Train Station Pick-up 🏨 Hotel in Da Nang 🍽️ Meal: (at your own expense)
  • Enjoy a relaxing overnight train journey from Ninh Binh to Da Nang, waking up to beautiful scenery along the way.
  • Start your morning with breakfast on the train while enjoying the changing landscapes through the train window.
  • Admire the beautiful scenery of Central Vietnam, from mountains and countryside to the stunning coastline along the journey.
  • 12:00 Arrive in Da Nang and meet our driver for the train station pick-up and transfer to your hotel.
Day 6: Da Nang - Coconut Forest & Hoi An Ancient Town
🚗 Transferring 🗣️ English speaking tour guide 🏨 Hotel in Danang 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Dinner (Lunch at your own expense)
  • Morning – Scenic Train Journey
  • Enjoy an overnight train journey from Ninh Binh to Da Nang, waking up to beautiful views along the way. Have breakfast on the train while admiring the changing landscapes through the train window.
  • Scenic Views
  • Enjoy beautiful views of Central Vietnam, from mountains and countryside to the stunning coastline as the train travels south.
  • 12:00 Arrive in Da Nang, meet your driver at the railway station and transfer to the hotel. Check in and enjoy some time to rest
  • 15:30 Pick-up at your hotel. Head to Cam Thanh Coconut Forest and enjoy a fun basket boat experience through peaceful waterways.
  • Then wander through Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site full of charm — lanterns, tailor shops, riverside cafés, and colorful markets.
  • 18:00 Dinner with local specialties includingCao Lau and Wonton. Walk around lantern-lit streets and visit the Japanese Covered Bridge. End of group tour around 20:30 - 21:00.
  • Overnight in Danang.
Day 7: Ba Na Hills - Golden Bridge & French Village
🚗 Transferring 🚡 Round-trip cable car ticket 🗣️ English speaking tour guide 🏨 Hotel in Danang 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Buffet lunch (Dinner at your own expense)
  • 07:30 - 08:15 We pick you up at the hotel in Da Nang and join the group tour
  • 09:00 – 9:30 You will be carried to the peak by cable car system that won 4 World’s Records, admire the epic view and enjoy the fresh air here.
  • 10:00 Explore Golden Bridge, located 1,400 meters above sea level, an altitude which creates the illusion of a silk strip hiding in the clouds above Da Nang.
  • 10:30 Walking around and taking photos at the Flower Garden of Love, Debay wine cellar (Wine tickets by yourself), Linh Ung Pagoda with 27m – height Shakyamuni statue.
  • 11:15 Take the 2nd cable car to the next destination of your trip in Ba Na is French Village
  • 12:00 Have lunch with buffet in Restaurant, with more than 80 delisious dishes. After lunch, you can experience the French Village and Fantasy Park.
  • 15:00-15:30 We say good bye to Ba Na and get back to the cable car station and return to Danang.
  • 17:00-17:30 Come back your hotel.
  • End of services!
  • Overnight in Danang.
Day 8: Da Nang - Scenic Train - Nha Trang
🚆 Train ticket: Da Nang - Nha Trang 🚉 Train Station Drop-off, Pick up 🏨 Hotel in Nha Trang 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast (Lunch and Dinner at your own)
  • 06:30 – Check out of the hotel and transfer to Da Nang Railway Station by private car.
  • 08:00 – Board the train and begin your journey from Da Nang to Nha Trang.
  • Enjoy a relaxing train ride along Vietnam’s beautiful Central Coast. Admire stunning beaches, turquoise waters, dramatic mountains and local fishing villages through the train window. Watch the scenery gradually transform as you travel south, enjoying beautiful coastal landscapes throughout the journey.
  • 20:00 – Arrive at Nha Trang Railway Station. Meet your driver and transfer to the hotel for check-in.
  • Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 9: Nha Trang - 3 Islands Tour
🚗 Transferring 🗣️ English speaking tour guide 🎟️ Entrance tickets 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
  • 08:30: Bus and guide will pick you up at your hotel and move to the port.
  • 09:30: Mun Island: You can swim and snorkel to behold various kinds of multi-coloured corals and fish.
  • 11:30: Fishing Village: You will be able to visit the largest-scale aquaculture cage system in Nha Trang Bay. Then enjoy lunch.
  • 12:30: Mini Beach: You can rest, relax on this beautiful beach. You can also participate in water sports such as sea walker, diving, banana float, jetski, parasailing (costs excluded).
  • 15:30-16:00: Guide will take you back to the port and the bus will drive you back to the hotel.
  • End of tour.
Day 10: Free day in Nha Trang - Going to Ho Chi Minh
🚆 Train ticket: Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh 🚉 Train Station Drop-off, Pick up 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast
  • 12:00 – Check out of the hotel and enjoy free time to explore Nha Trang, go sightseeing, relax and shop at your own pace.
  • 19:00 – Hotel pick-up and transfer to the train station.
  • 20:00 – Board the overnight train from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Scenic Night Journey: Relax on board and enjoy the night views through the train window as the train travels south.
  • Overnight on the Train: Enjoy a comfortable overnight journey and sleep on the train, arriving in Ho Chi Minh City the next morning.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta
🚗 Transferring 🗣️ English speaking tour guide 🏨 Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
  • 7:30: Pick-up at your hotel in District 1 and depart for My Tho.
  • You will have a local motor excursion to Dragon Island, Unicorn Island, Turtle Island, Phoenix Island.
  • We will stop at the famous Unicorn Island, you will visit nature pure honey at a bee keeping farm, taste some honey wine, rice wine, and banana wine.
  • Continue the motor boat excursion to Ben Tre province, where you will see a coconut candy workshop.
  • Transfer to a small motor boat and travel along the lush, green canals and stop at the local restaurant for Vietnamese lunch.
  • Moving on to another area on the Unicorn Island to enjoy sampling various tropical fruits at the orchard garden while listening to the Southern traditional music.
  • You will be taken back to My Tho by local boat.
  • Take bus back to Ho Chi Minh City, arrive around 5.30 pm.
  • Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 12: Free time – Departure
🚗 Transferring ✈️ Airport drop off 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast
  • After breakfast time, you are free for shopping and souvenirs.
  • Relax until transferred to Tan Son Nhat airport for your on going flight.
What's Included
  • Travel Agency Service (supporting – promoting – consulting – connecting travel services):
  • Service support fee for booking travel services
  • Itinerary consultation fee & assistance in planning travel experiences
  • Coordination with local suppliers
  • Customer care support before – during – and after the trip
  • Services Provided by Local Suppliers at the Destination:
  • (Happy Vietnam Tours is the travel agency supporting your booking. All services at the destination are provided directly by licensed local suppliers.)
  • Accommodation at hotels, homestays, or cruises as indicated in the program
  • Meals as specified (B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner)
  • Transportation as indicated in the program
  • Sharing cruise trip as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All admission fees at the sightseeing places mentioned
  • English-speaking tour guide at the destination
What's Excluded
  • Other meals and drinks/ personal expenses
  • Air fares/ airport taxes
  • Optional tipping for local guide & driver: 3–5 USD/Pax/Day tour

NOTE: Services in the package are provided and operated by licensed partners. Happy Vietnam Tours ensures service and reputation throughout the tour program.

Total price (VAT included)

Please select a departure date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! This itinerary is a suggested travel idea designed to inspire your journey. It serves as a starting point and can be fully customized to match your interests, schedule, and preferences. Whether you'd like to adjust the activities, include additional destinations, or tailor the pace of the trip, we're here to create a personalized experience just for you. Let us know what you're looking for, and we’ll craft an itinerary that perfectly fits your vision.

A private tour means your journey is exclusively yours. You'll have your own professional guide and private vehicle, giving you the freedom to travel at your own pace. You can linger longer at spots you love, make spontaneous stops for photos, and enjoy an experience built entirely around your interests, not a fixed group schedule.

Yes, absolutely! We specialize in creating personalized journeys for solo travelers, couples, families, and small groups of friends. As a solo traveler, your itinerary is tailored completely to you. A single supplement fee may apply for accommodation, but we will always work to find the best options for your needs.

Your personalized proposal will include a detailed list of inclusions. Typically, this covers:

  • Accommodation with daily breakfast
  • Private, air-conditioned transportation
  • A private, licensed tour guide
  • Entrance fees for all scheduled sights
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary

Exclusions: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, and personal expenses.

We offer a wide range of accommodations to suit your style, from charming boutique hotels and eco-lodges to luxury resorts. To ensure maximum flexibility, we don't specify hotels in our sample itineraries. Your travel expert will suggest carefully selected options in your proposal, and we are happy to adjust them based on your preferences.

Visa requirements vary greatly depending on your nationality and destination. While your travel expert will offer guidance during the planning stage, we strongly recommend checking the official embassy or consulate website for the most current information.

Our booking process is simple and collaborative:

  1. Send a Request: Fill out the form on our website with your travel ideas.
  2. Personalize Your Trip: A travel expert will contact you to craft a detailed proposal, which you can refine until it’s perfect.
  3. Confirm & Book: Once you are 100% happy with the plan, you confirm your trip with a deposit.

To secure your booking, we require a deposit, which is typically 30% of the total tour cost. The final balance is due 60 days before your departure. Our cancellation policy is structured based on how far in advance the cancellation is made.

For full, detailed information, please see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

Yes, travel insurance is essential for your trip. At Happy Vietnam Tours, we do not include insurance in our packages to allow you the freedom to choose an insurance provider that best suits your needs and guarantees your rights. Your trip is a significant experience, and having reliable insurance ensures you are well-supported in case of unexpected events.

Please note that basic insurance policies in the host country may not meet your expectations regarding support or administrative procedures. Therefore, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance from your preferred provider.

Important: All customers are required to have valid travel insurance, and we request that you share your insurance details with us before departure.