New Page 1Vietnam Tours - 18 Day Deluxe Rail Tours of Vietnam
18 Day DELUXE Rail Tour of Vietnam
THE TOUR THAT TOPS ALL TOURS!
Travel along the coast of the South China Sea from Saigon to Hanoi then on up the Red River valley to the Chinese Border in the far north, aboard the most well-appointed VIP rail carriage* in Vietnam.
This very special VIP rail car is normally reserved for exclusive use by the President and Prime Minister of Vietnam and visiting foreign leaders ...and now FRANKO’S!
(*Henry Kissinger, Bill & Hillary Clinton are among some of the visiting dignitaries to have travelled aboard this VIP train).
Our tour itinerary is pretty much the same as our time-proven 18 Day Rail Tours, however this Deluxe version includes travel aboard a privately chartered VIP rail car (with cabin staff), 12 nights in 5 Star hotels, and other ’little upgrades’ such as Room Service and a complimentary wet bar on the train.
This is a tour for those who demand the very best. This is a tour the BOSS could put on as a reward for those so deserving (hint).
This is a tour to recharge the batteries AND experience a holiday like no other!
*NOTE: FRANKO’S DELUXE Rail Tour Itinerary (see below) is almost the same as our regular18 Day Rail Tour of VIETNAM.
The major DIFFERENCES are: *DELUXE Tour = 5 Star Hotels on tour *DELUXE Tour = Exclusive use of VIP Rail Cars
*DELUXE Tour = Up to Maximum 10 persons *DELUXE Tour = limited to group booking only
*DELUXE Tour = USD $76,000 single group payment
*DELUXE Tour = Tour anytime. YOU choose tour dates *DELUXE Tour = Absolute Best Tour of VIETNAM!
FRANKO’S
DELUXE RAIL TOUR of VIETNAM (by Private VIP Train)
Visiting Sai Gon - Mekong Delta - Cu Chi - Long Tan Nha Trang - Da Nang - Hoi An - Hue Ninh Binh - Ha Noi - Sa Pa - Ha Long Bay
ITINERARY (18 DAYS - 17 NIGHTS)
DAYS 1 to 5. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for a series of mini-tours in and around the city and down to the Mekong Delta. Visits to most historical/cultural sites plus fantastic shopping & wonderful dining. Our tour also visits Tay Ninh, Cu Chi and My Tho (with option of side tour to Vung Tau-Long Tan-Nui Dat).
Day 1. Arrive Saigon ...Renaissance Riverside Hotel. Check-in, a welcoming lunch then time for a short walk around the centre of Ho Chi Minh City and become familiar with location of hotel, shops, and the way to cross the busy roads. Lunch then Free time. L/D
Day 2. City Tour/Saigon Post Office/War Museum/Thien Hau Pagoda and busy Binh Tay markets at Cho Lon - Lunch then introductory tour of shopping venues. Dinner with a floor show at the Rex Hotel. B/L/D
Day 3. Coach to Cu Chi (tunnels) - Lunch then Bus to Tay Ninh (ceremony at Great Cao Dai Temple) then return to Ben Thanh Market (Saigon) and pedestrian stroll back to Hotel - Dinner at Maxims! B/L/D
Day 4. Bus to My Tho on the delta and boat trip to Thoi Son Island for Lunch and a look at island life and a folk music show - return to Saigon for some relaxation until it’s time for a sensational Dinner Cruise on the Saigon River. B/L
OR Day 4* for Long Tan visitors (Additional cost involved). My Tho trip (as above) followed by coach/car to Vung Tau. Dinner at our hotel then evening is free to discover Vungers ...a drink at Ned Kelly’s Eureka Pub? B/L/D
Day 5. Visit Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace)/ laquerware factory then Lunch and a shopping break before Dinner and transfer to Railway Station. O/night train to Nha Trang. B/L/D
OR Day 5* (Long Tan visitors). Early start on tour around Vung Tau then continue to Long Tan, Nui Dat and Long Phuoc. Lunch in Baria before rejoining Rail Tour group in Saigon for Dinner then THE TRAIN!
DAYS 6 to 7. Arrive Nha Trang - visit offshore islands, the beach and local areas of interest. Seafood ...and eat it!
Day 6. Arrive Nha Trang - beachside resort. Brekky then boat trip to visit Tri Nguyen Aquarium and Hon Tre (Bamboo Island) - Lunch on island. A beachfront setting for dinner ...Italian/Indian/Australian beef/NZ lamb or seafood ...order what you like ...Open Menu! After dinner relax at a coffee shop by the beach opposite our hotel, or maybe try a cyclo ride along the tree-lined promenade. B/L/D
Day 7. Early rise to practice Tai Chi with the locals on the beach before breakfast. Visit Long Son Pagoda-Po Na Gar Tower-City Centre by cyclo then lunch at hotel. Afternoon is completely free time before dinner at a local seafood restaurant. Relax with a drink in the Dining Car before the train rocks us to sleep while it’s smooth progress takes us further north to our next stop on tour, Da Nang. B/L/D
DAYS 8 to 9. Arrive Da Nang and visit ancient Hoi An town and surrounding area. Superb dining at local restaurants. Fine silks!
Day 8. AM arrive Da Nang, brekky then transfer to hotel in Hoi An and some free time. In the late afternoon we set off on a visit to a silk making enterprise, then a guided pedestrian tour exploring the Old Town. Check out the Japanese Bridge, Hoi An museum, riverside cafes and the town market before a dinner with a view. Still time to walk/shop after dinner. Lunch is at your hotel. B/L/D
Day 9. A free day to relax by the pool or the beach, wander Hoi An’s Old Town, or hit the shops (made-to-order clothes). A garden lunch in town and a rooftop dinner with a dance show (Cham culture) are the only appointments in your journal for this day ...yes, you’re really on holidays! B/L/D
DAY 10. Depart Da Nang by train for breathtaking scenery en route to Hue, the former royal capital. Visit the tombs of the emperors, the famous Citadel Palace and take a leisurely trip along the Perfume River to the wonderful Thien Mu Pagoda.
Day 10. Transfer to train for a 4 hour trip via the super-scenic Hai Van Pass to Hue. Arrive at our hotel mid afternoon before a boat trip along the Perfume River to the wonderful Thien Mu Pagoda. A cyclo tour of Hue in the early evening takes us to an entertaining Dinner. Lunch on train. A BIG DAY ...coach-train-boat-cyclo! B/L/D
DAY 11. Visit the tombs of the emperors and the famous Citadel of Hue before farewelling the South and resuming our rail journey across the 17th Parallel and into the North.
Day 11. Early start to visit the famous Citadel and the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc before returning to hotel; lunch, then on to Hue’s historic railway station. All aboard to cross the 17th Parallel and into the North. Enjoy spectacular coastal and rural scenes while enjoying a wine or beer before a dinner of hot bread rolls, ham, salads, fruits and cheese ...a picnic on the rails! Early to sleep or party on? Whichever - all the while we barely notice our train closing the distance to the national capital, Ha Noi. B/L/D
DAYS 12 to 18. Visit Ninh Binh before arriving in Hanoi to see the many famous historical/cultural sites in and around the capital. Includes overnight tours to Sa Pa in the NW mountain region alongside the Chinese Border; then to Ha Long Bay in the east. Shopping in the Old Quarter (Hanoi) and great entertainment await.
Day 12. Arrive at Ninh Binh Station (100km south of Hanoi) around 6.30AM and then breakfast at a local tourist restaurant. We’re here to have some fun in boats and visit the spectacular scenery in the region surrounding Hoa Lu and the Tam Coc caves …poetically (and aptly) called ”Halong Bay on the ricefields”. By mid morning our group resumes the journey north aboard a tour coach travelling through verdant rural countryside to the national capital, Ha Noi . Check-in to our hotel then kick back with a nice lunch and a free afternoon to wander/shop your way around the lake and stores in the city centre, or explore the scenes and bargains available in the fascinating Old Quarter. Dinner at Le Tonkin (where else?). B/L/D
Day 13. A coach tour around the city fringes on our way to visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and wartime home amid the expansive gardens surrounding the former residence of the French Governor of Indochina. Later we visit the famous One Pillar Pagoda and the ancient Temple of Literature before it’s time for lunch then a free afternoon. At 6PM we’re attending a performance of Hanoi’s celebrated Water Puppet Theatre and then the fun continues with dinner at a favourite restaurant.
After dinner we transfer to Hanoi Railway Station ready for our overnight rail trip NW to Lao Cai and the mountain region near the China Border. B/L/D
Day 14. Arrive Lao Cai then scenic bus trip to Sa Pa (mountain resort/former hill station) and visit local sites. Lunch then there’s a tour in Russian jeeps and some easy trekking thru local H’Mong Villages Dinner at our hotel (open menu). B/L/D
Day 15. Free morning to laze or experience the kaleidoscope of scenes in Sa Pa town. Midday checkout then lunch before starting on scenic downhill drive to Lao Cai (train) - includes visit to the China Border and a cold drink or two before the train departs. Dinner in Lao Cai before our last night on the train as we head back to Hanoi. B/L/D
Day 16. Arrive in Hanoi, farewell our friendly rail crew, then transfer to coach for trip to Ha Long Bay ...coffee stop enroute. All aboard our JUNK before 9AM for breakfast and the start of a relaxing boat cruise around the islands and grottoes of this World Heritage attraction. Spend a day & night aboard our very private, deluxe JUNK and enjoy wonderful seafood at lunch and dinner ...great dining! B/L/D.
Day 17. Morning coach trip back to Hanoi then lunch at local restaurant (another favourite!). Afternoon is free time to rest/shop/walk in the Old Quarter, the museums or around the shops in central Hanoi. A Dinner Party at a nice restaurant to farewell our Vietnamese guide then it’s time for bed, last shopping, or party-on at one of Ha Noi ’s trendy new nightspots. Last night in VIETNAM! B/L/Party
Day 18. Morning free for final shopping/relaxation before Hotel-Airport transfer. Rail Tour ENDS upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport. B
TOUR SUMMARY
# 2500KM in air-con Deluxe/VIP Dining & Sleeper Cars # All meals provided at good restaurants # 11 nights hotel, 1 night on a Chinese Junk,
and 5 nights aboard a private train. # Airport transfers to/from hotels included # Luggage porterage included throughout tour # Air-conditioned tour coach for all day tours # All entry fees and guide services included # 24/7 services of Australian tour manager
Passageway Sleeper Car Da Nang Railway Station Cu Chi Tunnels Canoes on The Mekong Nha Trang Thien Mu Pagoda Reunification Express Red Dao ladies - SaPa Rice - Sa Pa Junk Food! Veterans at Long Tan Cross Frankos Train Girls Ninh Binh
