Experience Vietnam's Scenic Coastline: A Luxurious Train Journey with Anantara

Settling back into your train seat, watching the urban skyline fade away and being replaced by beautiful natural landscapes is a unique experience. Many luxury travelers are now seeking this slower and more sustainable way of traveling, as highlighted by rail experts.

Anantara, a major player in the hospitality industry, is now catering to this trend by introducing a new five-hour luxury train experience in southern Vietnam. This high-end hotel brand connects the sought-after resort destinations of Na Trang and Quy Nhon with its second route in the country.

In 2020, Anantara launched its first luxury train carriage called "The Vietage by Anantara." This six-hour journey connects the cities of Da Nang and Quy Nhon, offering guests a unique and luxurious travel experience.

Ananatara’s head of PR and marketing for Vietnam, Kate Jones, shares with CNN that the new carriage is designed to offer travelers a fresh perspective and showcase more of Vietnam’s stunning landscapes. Similar to the original Vietage carriage, this new addition will be connected to Vietnam’s state-operated railway system that spans the length of the country.

Each Vietage carriage has six private booths and a sit-up bar.

Each Vietage carriage has six private booths and a sit-up bar.

Courtesy Anantara

Jones explains that the new route linking Nha Trang and Quy Nhon offers a different experience compared to the route between Da Nang and Quy Nhon.

The journey between Nha Trang and Quy Nhon showcases more coastal areas, featuring stunning bays and striking coastline along the East Sea. While there are still mountainous regions, rice paddies, and lotus ponds, the highlight of the five-hour trip is the breathtaking coastal scenery.

This is the perfect example of slow travel - the trains on the Quy Nhon-Nha Trang route run at an average speed of 51.9 kilometers per hour (32.2 mph) as stated by Anantara.

Guests traveling on this route have ample time to savor their complimentary afternoon tea set, featuring local caviar, Vietnamese artisanal cheeses, a variety of cold cuts, and premium Vietnamese teas.

Passengers traveling between Da Nang and Quy Nhon can enjoy a delicious three-course gourmet meal during their six-hour journey. In addition to the meal, guests on either route will receive complimentary snacks, free-flow wine, cocktails, mocktails, teas, coffee, and soft drinks. To add to the relaxation, passengers will also receive a 15-minute head and shoulder treatment.

The Quy Nhon-Nha Trang route includes an afternoon tea set.

The Quy Nhon-Nha Trang route includes an afternoon tea set.

Anantara's Vietage carriage features a sit-up bar, restroom facilities, and six private booths for two people. Each booth is equipped with power outlets, charging stations, free wifi, and amenity baskets containing pillows, blankets, and other essentials.

Travelers who wish to reserve their seats for the Vietage train can easily do so online at Thevietagetrain.com. Additionally, those interested in combining their rail journey with a stay at one of Anantara's properties, such as Anantara Hoi An Resort, Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, or Avani Quy Nhon Resort, can book packages through the respective hotel websites.

The cost of a one-way journey on the Vietage train is $420 per person. The new route begins at Nha Trang Train Station, departing at 2 p.m. and arriving at Dieu Tri Station in Quy Nhon by 6:29 p.m. For travelers looking to go in the opposite direction, trains leave Dieu Tri Train Station at 2:15 p.m. and reach Nha Trang Train Station by 6:36 p.m.

The Frecciarossa will run from Milan to Ljubljana.

The Frecciarossa will run from Milan to Ljubljana.

Archivio FS Italiane

Related article

This train route that has not been used for over a century is now back in operation.

The train leaves Da Nang Train Station at 8 a.m. and reaches Quy Nhon’s Dieu Tri Station at 2:03 p.m. For those who prefer traveling in the evening, there is an option departing Quy Nhon at 7:00 p.m. and arriving in Da Nang at 12:53 a.m. the next day. The cost for this Vietage journey is $315 per passenger.

Jones suggests that many people are opting for rail travel instead of dealing with the hustle and bustle of airports to reach their destinations.

She also points out that the domestic aviation industry in Vietnam is encountering difficulties, as two airlines have vanished and the national carrier's fleet has shrunk. Consequently, air travel is not a preferred option due to high costs.

The Vietage is a unique experience found only in Vietnam. With the Belmond train back in operation, luxury rail travel is gaining popularity in Southeast Asia.

Traveling by rail allows for a slower and more sustainable way to explore the country. Passengers can enjoy scenic views of rural villages, fishermen at work, and farmers tending to their fields with water buffaloes. These are sights that one cannot experience from 35,000 feet in the air.

Editor's P/S:

The resurgence of luxury rail travel in Vietnam, as exemplified by Anantara's Vietage train experience, offers a refreshing alternative to the conventional modes of transportation. This immersive journey blends comfort, exclusivity, and sustainability, allowing travelers to reconnect with the country's natural beauty at a leisurely pace. The emphasis on local delicacies and amenities reflects Anantara's commitment to showcasing Vietnamese culture and craftsmanship.

Moreover, the growing popularity of rail travel in Southeast Asia signals a shift towards embracing a more responsible and immersive approach to exploration. As Jones suggests, travelers are increasingly seeking experiences that minimize environmental impact and allow them to delve deeper into the local landscapes and communities. The Vietage train, along with similar initiatives such as the Belmond train, provides a compelling option for discerning travelers seeking an authentic and enriching travel experience.