Traveling aboard Vietnam’s luxury train, SJourney, is less about reaching a destination and more about surrendering to the rhythm of the rails, noticing the small details, and absorbing the country at a pace that invites true attention. The polished carriages balance vintage charm with modern luxury, rolling past flooded rice paddies, winding rivers, quiet villages, and misty mountains while offering a suite of amenities that make every moment indulgent. Safety is woven seamlessly into the experience: secure cabins, highly trained staff, and meticulously maintained tracks allow passengers to relax, sip a cocktail, or simply lean against the panoramic windows and watch Vietnam drift by.
Morning begins in your private cabin, a cool sanctuary with plush bedding, air conditioning, polished wood, and an en-suite bathroom, the soft hum of the train providing a gentle soundtrack. Sunlight glints on the rice paddies, water shimmering, shadows stretching from distant palms. Breakfast in the dining car is included in your fare and a feast for the senses: steaming bowls of pho, aromatic with star anise and cinnamon, tender slices of beef, accompanied by buttery pastries, fresh tropical juices, and thick, sweetened Vietnamese coffee. A small selection of fruit, yogurt, and lightly sweetened rice cakes offers variety, ensuring that whether you prefer hearty or light, the meal feels like a ritual rather than a routine.
Mid-morning, the observation car becomes the favorite spot. Plush armchairs, soft lighting, and panoramic windows allow uninterrupted views of banana groves swaying, farmers guiding water buffalo, and children racing down dusty paths. Tea service begins mid-morning, delicate blends poured into fine china, and the subtle fragrance drifts through the car. For those seeking indulgence, the train’s spa offers massage treatments, a quiet interlude as the countryside rolls past in slow, deliberate frames. Light snacks — finger sandwiches, fresh pastries, or chocolate truffles — are available, complementing the drinks and the scenery.
By mid-morning, the train arrives in Hanoi, where passengers step off to explore the Old Quarter’s labyrinthine alleys, colonial facades, bustling street stalls, and hidden markets. Here, the city comes alive in taste and smell: a vendor hands you a crispy bánh mì, tangy with pickled vegetables and pork belly, while a tiny café pours thick, frothy egg coffee, the richness sweet and unexpectedly comforting. Skewers of grilled pork and chicken sizzle over charcoal, sticky rice cakes crackle in oil, and delicate sweets are arranged in woven baskets, their scent mingling with fresh herbs from street stalls. Every corner offers a new bite, a new story, a sense of the city’s pulse and history.
Back on the train, passengers can retreat to the caviar bar, with creamy pearls served alongside chilled champagne, as the landscape transforms into rolling hills, terraced fields, and sleepy riverside villages. Lunch, also included, is a multi-course celebration of regional flavors: tender river fish grilled with lemongrass and chili, slow-braised meats, crisp sautéed vegetables, fragrant rice dishes, and sticky rice desserts infused with coconut or pandan. Micro-herbs and edible flowers garnish the plates, a nod to Vietnamese aesthetics, while the observation car windows frame the passing scenery — temples, rivers, and small villages — turning the meal into a full sensory experience.
Arriving in Hue, a guided excursion leads through the Imperial Citadel, where stone gates, courtyards, and pagodas whisper of emperors past. Lunch in the city continues the sensory journey: bún bò Huế, spicy and lemongrass-laced, steams alongside bánh bèo, delicate steamed rice cakes topped with shrimp, scallions, and fried shallots, accompanied by fresh perilla, Vietnamese basil, and coriander. River breezes mix with the fragrance of food, incense, and the soft murmur of local markets, and street vendors offer bite-sized sesame cakes, sticky rice dumplings, and sweet coconut rolls, perfect for a mid-afternoon nibble before returning to the train.
The train carries passengers south through gentle hills, arriving in Hội An as the town glows in the late afternoon light. Lanterns sway above riverside streets, and the air is rich with the aroma of sizzling street food. You wander, sampling chewy cao lầu noodles with smoky pork and fresh herbs, white rose dumplings filled with shrimp, crispy bánh xèo, and sweet glutinous rice cakes dusted with sesame. Cafés along the riverside pour strong coffee and juices while incense drifts from nearby temples, mingling with the scents of lantern-lit streets and sizzling food.
Boarding again, dinner on the train mirrors the day’s discoveries: slow-cooked meats, crisp vegetables, fresh river fish, fragrant soups, and sticky rice desserts infused with coconut or pandan, all served free as part of the journey. Tea service continues post-dinner, cocktails are available in the observation car, and massages in the spa offer a final indulgence as lantern-lit villages fade into darkness beneath the gently rolling train. Late-night snacks — small cakes, fruits, or cheese plates — are available in the lounge, ensuring every appetite is satisfied at any hour.
As the journey continues south toward Ho Chi Minh City, the contrast of landscapes grows thrilling. The bustling southern metropolis bursts into view: neon lights, crowded streets, and the constant hum of scooters. Off-train excursions introduce bánh xèo (crispy pancakes), bún thịt nướng (grilled pork with noodles), hủ tiếu (soups with chewy noodles), and fresh tropical fruits from corner stalls. A bowl of hủ tiếu slurped steaming hot, or an iced cà phê sữa đá (milk coffee) in a tucked-away café, becomes a vivid counterpoint to the quiet, rolling countryside from which you’ve just emerged.
In Ho Chi Minh City, shopping is an experience as vibrant and layered as the city itself. From the aisles of Ben Thanh Market, where colorful textiles, lacquerware, and handicrafts jostle with street food stalls, to sleek modern malls featuring international fashion and designer boutiques, there’s something for every taste. Side streets reveal hidden gems: handcrafted leather goods, aromatic coffee beans, and delicate silk scarves, while tiny shops offer local snacks and sweets to taste as you browse. The city’s energy — the hum of scooters, the chatter of vendors, the scent of incense and street food mingling in the air — makes shopping not just a transaction but a full sensory adventure.
Throughout the journey, the luxury train amenities — plush cabins, included gourmet meals, observation car cocktails and caviar, curated tea service, spa massages, and attentive staff — are not mere indulgences; they are part of the way the country is experienced. Fares typically range from $400 to $800 per person for a two-night trip, covering all meals, drinks, guided excursions, and onboard amenities, with options for longer journeys or premium suites slightly higher. Vietnam reveals itself slowly: in its landscapes, its flavors, its rhythms, and its reverent human life, all while the train carries you in comfort, style, and safety through each unforgettable day.
