It was launched five years ago but between Da Nang and Quy Nhon, and in 2024 was extended to Nha Trang, giving passengers another five hours along the coastline.
The train leaves Nha Trang daily at 1:25 p.m. Guests are welcomed at a private lounge with food and drinks before boarding, when they also get a short introduction to the journey.
Traveler Dieu Thanh from Ho Chi Minh City on the luxury train car in late July.
The two rear carriages have been made over luxuriously though signature blue-and-white exterior is retained.
The interiors are designed in Indochine style, with wood finishes and woven bamboo panels. The cars each have six cabins with a total of 12 seats, a bar, a massage room, and private restrooms. They also have large windows to allow passengers to take in the landscape.
Over the five-hour trip the train passes rice fields, lotus ponds, mountains, and villages, with daily life along Vietnam's central coast unfolding outside the window and occasionally a train in the opposite direction.
A team of three serves passengers throughout the journey. Tickets are priced at US$450 and include afternoon tea, drinks, massage, and all onboard services.
The windows frame vivid snapshots of central Vietnam: rice fields nearing harvest, blending green with the brown of freshly cut paddies. Here and there, a lotus pond or a small village house appears.
At around 3:30 p.m., the sea comes into view. The staff notify passengers 15 minutes beforehand so that they can be ready.
The train glides along the coast, passing bays and stretches of golden sand. Though the seaside views last only a few minutes, they stand out against the backdrop of rice fields, hills, and villages. Sitting on the east-facing side of the train offers the best vantage point.
Halfway through the trip, a second food service features cold cuts, jams, cheeses, and more drinks. Some passengers said the portions are generous. Throughout the ride, the staff anticipate requests and provide service without being intrusive.
Near the end of the journey, passengers are offered a 15-minute massage. The service takes place in a seated chair with head, arm, and leg supports to keep guests comfortable as they lean forward. Therapists are professionally trained, with the ability to adjust pressure to each passenger's preference, even as the train moves with a slight sway.
