SJourney train — what it is and what sets it apart
SJourney is Vietnam’s first luxury train, connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City along the country’s main rail line. The concept is straightforward: instead of booking multiple hotels and arranging transport between cities, you live on the train for the duration of the trip. You unpack once, and Vietnam passes by outside your window.
The design takes inspiration from the Indochine style of the 1920s and 1930s — think wooden paneling, warm lighting, and decorative details that reference Vietnam’s French colonial era. It gives the train a distinct character that sets it apart from anything else on the Vietnamese rail network. Capacity is limited to 40 guests per departure, which keeps the experience personal. The excursion groups are small, service is attentive, and you are not sharing the train with hundreds of other passengers.
The different routes
SJourney offers several routes, ranging from a full 8-day journey across Vietnam to shorter 2 to 3-day trips covering a single stretch of the country.
Southbound Legacy and Northern Heritage (8 days, 7 nights)
The flagship route runs the full length of Vietnam between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, stopping at Ninh Binh, Quang Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phan Thiet along the way. It runs in both directions — Southbound Legacy goes from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Northern Heritage does the reverse. The itinerary and inclusions are the same either way.
Trail of the Dragon’s Back (4 days, 3 nights)
This route heads north from Hanoi toward Sapa and then continues to Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. It covers a completely different part of the country compared to the main north-south route and is the only SJourney itinerary that includes Halong Bay.
Indochine Coastline (4 days, 3 nights)
A shorter version of the main route, running from Ho Chi Minh City up to Quang Nam. It covers the southern half of the flagship journey, with stops that include Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Phu Yen, and Hoi An.
Shorter routes (2–3 days)
For travelers with limited time, SJourney also offers three shorter options. Whispers of Vietnam (3 days, 2 nights) runs between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi via Hoi An. Southern Symphony (2 days, 1 night) covers Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. Northern Elegance (2 days, 1 night) runs from Da Nang to Hanoi. These shorter trips give a taste of the experience without the full week commitment.
What to expect on board
The cabins
There are three cabin categories. Standard cabins are 10m² and available in either a double or twin configuration — one larger bed or two single beds. At 10m², the space is compact. There is room for a bed, a small table, a wardrobe, and a minibar, but not much else. The bathroom is fitted into roughly 0.8 by 1.2 meters. It works, but do not expect a spacious hotel room.
Suites step up to 17m² and include a king-size bed, a daybed, a massage chair, and a bathtub. The extra space makes a real difference on a 7-night journey. Imperial Suites occupy an entire private carriage of up to 51m², with a separate lounge area and premium bathroom. All cabin categories include an en-suite bathroom, minibar, air conditioning, and a safety box. Cabins are serviced daily with evening turndown.
Dining and drinks
The bistro car runs 24/7 and seats all guests at once. Menus rotate based on the region the train is passing through, using fresh local ingredients sourced along the route. Dietary preferences are accommodated. Complimentary soft drinks, beer, and house wine by the glass are included with meals, both on the train and at restaurants during excursions. Tea and coffee are available on board throughout the day. Chefs occasionally host cooking demonstrations, which adds some entertainment to the dining experience.
When the train stops for excursions, some meals are taken at local restaurants rather than on board. These are included in the price.
Excursions
Every stop on the itinerary includes guided excursions led by English-speaking local guides, with entrance fees covered. The 8-day route takes in some genuinely impressive places — Hoi An Ancient Town, Phong Nha cave, the Perfume River in Hue, Trang An in Ninh Binh. The excursions are organized and included, so there is no need to arrange anything independently. That said, time at each destination is limited, which is worth keeping in mind — more on that in the final section of this guide.
Other onboard features
The train has a panoramic lounge car where you can watch the scenery go by with a drink. Most evenings include some form of cultural performance — traditional music, dance, or storytelling. Each guest also receives a 45-minute head and shoulder massage once during the trip. At the start of the journey, departure is from a VIP lounge at the train station rather than the standard platform.
Ticket prices
All prices are in USD. The table below shows 2026 rates for each route and cabin type.
| Route | Standard | Suite | Imperial Suite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southbound Legacy / Northern Heritage (8D/7N) | $9,890 pp (double) / $15,824 single | $16,290 pp (double) / $26,064 single | $31,790 pp (double) / $63,580 single |
| Trail of the Dragon’s Back (4D/3N) | $3,890 pp (double) / $6,224 single | $6,390 pp (double) / $10,224 single | $12,490 pp (double) / $24,980 single |
| Indochine Coastline (4D/3N) | $4,490 pp (double) / $7,184 single | $7,390 pp (double) / $11,824 single | $14,490 pp (double) / $28,980 single |
| Whispers of Vietnam (3D/2N) | $3,890 pp | — | — |
| Southern Symphony (2D/1N) | $1,990 pp | — | — |
| Northern Elegance (2D/1N) | $1,990 pp | — | — |
Prices for the shorter routes (Whispers of Vietnam, Southern Symphony, Northern Elegance) are listed per person and do not appear to have multiple cabin categories published at this time.
The Imperial Suite occupies an entire private carriage. Whether you travel solo or as a couple, you are booking the full carriage — the per-person price listed above assumes two guests sharing.
Prices increase by roughly 5% for 2027 and again for 2028. If you are planning ahead, factor that in. For example, the 8-day flagship route in a standard double cabin costs $9,890 per person in 2026, rising to $10,385 in 2027 and $10,904 in 2028.
Practical tips and how to book
How to book
Tickets can be booked directly through SJourney’s website or through a travel agency. Given that each departure is capped at 40 guests and departures are not frequent, availability fills up faster than you might expect — especially for the flagship 8-day route during peak travel months. Booking several months in advance is strongly recommended.
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Departure dates
SJourney does not run on a daily or weekly schedule. Departures follow a fixed calendar that is published in advance for each year. Some routes run only a handful of times per year — the shorter 2 and 3-day routes in particular have very limited departure dates. Check the current schedule on SJourney’s website before planning around specific travel dates.
What to pack
Dinners on board are smart casual — not black tie, but a step above T-shirts and sandals. The train is air-conditioned throughout, so a light layer is useful even if you are traveling in the warmer months. Excursions involve walking and some outdoor activity, so comfortable shoes are more practical than anything stylish.
The ride itself
SJourney runs on Vietnam’s existing national rail network. The track is not high-speed and some stretches are rougher than others — this is normal for train travel in Vietnam and not specific to SJourney. If you have never traveled by train in Vietnam before, it is worth reading our complete guide to train travel in Vietnam to know what to expect from the network in general.
Is the SJourney train worth it?
For the right traveler, yes. SJourney delivers what it promises — a well-designed, comfortable, and organized way to experience Vietnam from end to end without the hassle of planning every step yourself. The cabins are private, the food is good, the group is small, and the scenery along the route is genuinely impressive in places, particularly through the Hai Van Pass and the karst landscapes around Ninh Binh.
The main trade-off is time at each destination. On the 8-day route, you cover a lot of ground, but stops are short. You get a guided half-day in Hoi An, a few hours in Hue, a morning in Ninh Binh. That is enough to get a feel for each place, but not enough to really explore. Travelers who want to spend meaningful time in one or two destinations will find the pace limiting. SJourney works best if you value the journey itself — the train, the scenery, the experience of moving through the country — rather than treating it as a way to tick off destinations.
The price is significant. At roughly $10,000 per person for the flagship route in a standard double cabin, it is firmly in the ultra-luxury category. That is not a reason to dismiss it, but it is worth comparing honestly to alternatives. For the same budget, you could spend two weeks in Vietnam with private transport, excellent hotels, and more time at every stop. What SJourney offers that alternatives do not is the experience of the train itself — the lounge car, the evenings on board, the simplicity of unpacking once. If that appeals to you, the price is easier to justify. If the train is mainly a means of getting between cities, it probably is not.
Other luxury trains in Vietnam
SJourney is the most premium train experience in Vietnam, but it is not the only option worth knowing about. Several other luxury and tourist-class trains run on the national rail network, covering routes from the north-south mainline to short cultural day trips.
- The Vietage by Anantara — A luxury day train running between Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang, operated by the Anantara hotel group. A shorter experience than SJourney, but well-designed and a good fit for travelers based in central Vietnam.
- The Hanoi Train — A heritage-style double-decker train running day trips from Hanoi to Bac Ninh, launched in 2025. The carriages are themed around Hanoi’s historic city gates and feature live traditional music on board. More of a cultural excursion than an intercity journey.
- Hoa Phuong Do Train — Runs between Hanoi and Hai Phong, named after the red flamboyant flower that symbolizes the port city. The VIP carriages feature hardwood floors, lounge seating, a bar, and live music — and at around $13–26 per ticket, it’s by far the most affordable luxury train experience in Vietnam.
- Victoria Express — The most established luxury option on the Hanoi to Lao Cai overnight route, operated by the same group behind Victoria Hotels in Sapa. A natural fit for travelers staying at their properties.
- Chapa Express — A well-regarded alternative on the Hanoi to Sapa route, with Indochine-style interiors and a slightly lower price point than Victoria Express.
For a full overview of luxury and tourist-class train options in Vietnam, see our guide to the best luxury trains in Vietnam.
