Frank O’Brien served in Vietnam as an Australian soldier/linguist in 1969/70.   He ventured back 20 years later, visiting Ha Noi then flying south to see Ho Chi Minh City  (Sai Gon) ...it was another world.      Later, in 1992, he travelled aboard Dorothy Button’s inaugural "Train Tour  of Vietnam" from Sai Gon to Ha Noi and knew immediately that the privately chartered train held all the advantages over car/coach/plane that he experienced in 1989 ....everyone could relax, move about freely, AND see the countryside on both sides of the train.    It was fantastic!  
 

The train was pretty basic back in those days but it was comfortable, private and secure.    Reading a book, having a beer/wine/coffee, a meal, a game of cards, a sleep or simply observing & photographing the ever-changing scenes ...all loved it.      

Today it’s even better ...FRANKO’S rail cars are fully air-conditioned with double glazed windows, western toilets & wash rooms, soft bedding, daily fresh bed linen & towels, complimentary water and fresh flowers ...and that’s just the Sleeper Car(s)!    The Dining Car becomes your place to relax, enjoy a drink, a snack or join a party.   There’s a bar, service staff, soft cafe seating, complimentary fruit snacks and a DVD/TV/CD entertainment system.    

In 2009, FRANKO’S introduced Superior Class Rail Tours with the addition of a 2nd Sleeper providing a four berth Sleeper Cabin to every two persons on tour ...More room, More privacy, More comfort.     Since 2010, Superior Class has been available on ALL Rail Tours. 

The Sleeper Car provides a room and bed on 5 overnight legs between stop-over hotels on tour, and the Dining Car is our place to relax and socialise.   By coupling to the very front or rear of our line of carriages we can physically restrict any entry into or through our exclusive carriages by other rail travellers ...but, if so desired, our clients can walk though the entire train to meet the locals.

In this wonderful atmosphere all of our past tour groups have bonded together quickly ...they get to know each other.     The feedback from every tour is the same: clients really liked the nights on the train because they were able to fully relax and enjoy the company and experiences of fellow travellers.   

The rail journey itself follows the coast of the South China Sea linking Saigon to Hanoi ( "Reunification Railroad") and is regarded as one of the most scenic and interesting train routes in the world.     Completed in 1936, subsequent years of war (1938 until April 1975) and economic depression in Vietnam (1980s) denied the railroad exposure to any form of rail-tourism ...hence no such thing as a "rail tour by private charter" was developed before 1992.      Today our rail tours extend beyond Hanoi, following the banks of the Red River to the Chinese Border and NW mountain resort town of SaPa.       The entire rail tour is a very smooth run of around 2500KM.

Generally the standard of rail travel in Vietnam (including 1st Class) is below that expected by discerning Western tourists.    That’s where FRANKO’S come in - our private rail cars are prepared and customised to provide the highest standard of rail travel available in Vietnam ...that’s our specialty!     Additionally, our friendly railway staff are dedicated to ensuring client comfort, security, safety, and enjoyment for every moment aboard a FRANKO’S train.    The same crew/staff remain with our rail cars throughout each tour - they become our Vietnamese mates ...no request is too hard, and they know what the term "cold beer" means to an Australian (or South African).     Cold!    

Our private carriages and rail staff stay with us throughout the tour.    Upon reaching each of the various stop-over destinations (Nha Trang, Da Nang, etc.) our private sleeping & dining cars are disconnected and moved to a siding and secured to await our return in a day or two.   In all, we spend 5 nights and 2 afternoons aboard the train:  Saigon-NhaTrang (1),  NhaTrang-Da Nang (1),   Da Nang-Hue (4hrs by day),    Hue-Hanoi (1),   Hanoi-Sa Pa (1), then return Sa Pa-Hanoi (1). 
 [ It’s not all night travel - Besides the two afternoon legs of our journey, there’s also ample time most mornings to relax with a coffee and views of the Vietnamese starting a new day in the fields and towns along our route ...a look at the real Vietnam! ]

The train allows us to arrive at each hotel on tour feeling fresh & rested and ready to enjoy the local attractions - sure beats having to endure a long bus ride on the dangerous roads, or wasting time with city traffic and multiple airport procedures (there are better things to do!).    We simply board the train on 5 different overnight  travel legs, have a beer, a party, a cuppa, etc, then get a good night’s sleep before morning arrival at a new hotel in a new region.    
 
In effect, by sleeping as we travel between different destinations on tour, we gain at least 2 extra days on site compared to other Vietnam tour groups who fly between destinations.        Our gain increases to at least 4 extra days when compared to tour groups who travel by road.   
The rail tour schedule allows FRANKO’S to maximise the time available at each major destination on the Tour Itinerary.     A big advantage for clients.     We see more!

FRANKO’S Tours visit ALL the "main attractions" that Vietnam has to offer ...and then some (see Itinerary).   Every stage of the tour; every hotel, restaurant, tour guide and mode of transport  has been fully endorsed by previous tour clients.   We stay at good hotels (mainly 4 star), dine at the best restaurants, enjoy superb entertainment (dinner show most evenings) and travel everywhere in air-conditioned comfort. 

WHY THE TRAIN?
Compare other means (car-bus-plane) and there’s no comparison!
Compare FRANKO’S exclusive chartered carriages to the cramped, shared accommodation encountered on Vietnam Rail’s 1st Class ...same result!   
The train is the KEY to our success - you see much more!

 WHY FRANKO’S TRAIN?
It is the best value rail tour you will find on this planet!

Please compare our prices against other similar duration
private rail tours on the Orient Express or Golden Eagle (eg. Silk Road)
...our tours (incl flights to/from Vietnam) cost from around AUD$5000pp   ...not AUD$30,000 or AUD$50,000!