While cheap rail passes and new routes are making train travel more accessible and affordable, luxury train rides are making a bit of a comeback, too – just check out this brand-new round-the-world luxury route launching this year.
And now a popular backpacking destination in Southeast Asia is getting a brand-new fancy train ride. Anantara, an international hospitality giant known for its luxury resorts, is launching a five-hour super-luxe train experience in southern Vietnam. The brand already has a route from Da Nang to Quy Nhon, but this new one will link Quy Nhon with Na Trang.
Much like the first route, the new Vietage train will be attached to Vietnam’s state-run commercial railway, however it will run in the opposite direction.
‘The main difference is that the new route connecting Nha Trang and Quy Nhon passes through many more coastal areas than the [other] journey,’ says Kate Jones, Anantara’s head of PR, to CNN, ‘There’s a selection of stunning bays and some striking coastline facing the East Sea.’
But it’s not just gorgeous views to feast on. Tickets for this train journey will come with complimentary afternoon tea, which includes local caviar, Vietnamese artisanal cheeses, cold cuts and of course local tea. Complimentary snacks, free-flowing wine, cocktails, mocktails, coffee and soft drinks, plus a 15-minute head and shoulder treatment are all thrown in, too. Ooh la la.
Opt for departure from Nha Trang Train Station, and the route will leave at 2pm and arrive at 6.29pm. In the other direction, from Dieu Tri Train Station, services leave at 2.15pm and arrive at 6.36pm.
All those unmatched views and delectable snacks don’t come cheap: a one-way journey on the Vietage costs $420. However, if you’re after a luxury treat to break up the backpacking, you can book a trip here, or combine it with a stay at one of Anantara’s three Vietnam resorts as part of a package.
Here’s our guide to the best luxury train routes in the world, along with the very best things to do in Vietnam.
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