All aboard The Vietage, which departed for its inaugural journey on Wednesday July 1. Luxury railway travel through the Vietnamese countryside connecting Da Nang and Quy Nhon cities is now a reality.
The Vietage has been developed by Anantara to introduce memorable journeys between Anantara Hoi An and Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, a unique Vietnamese luxury travel experience for its guests.
The bar inside the train.
The custom-designed opulent carriage, with just 12 reservation-only seats, immerses its guests into the culture, nature and history of the country through the stories of its daily return journey, heralding a new age of glamorous train travel.
The Vietage carriage boasts sleek-lined modern interiors, big picture windows and large comfy seats, while a sit-up bar offers a change of scenery and the chance to enjoy local craft beers, wines and snacks over conversation with friends, before the main culinary experience.
The interior.
During the six hour journey, guests encounter a plethora of taste sensations as the countryside rolls by. An exclusively-curated menu evokes the essence of Vietnam with a French twist, through an explosion of creative flavours and local ingredients. Dishes such as Quy Nhon seafood salad, barley risotto and braised Wagyu neck will excite plant, carnivore and seafood lovers alike. Sweet endings come in the form of local Da Lat strawberries, passion fruit tart and a typical French-style crème brulée made with superior Dong Nai chocolate from Vietnam.
A dedicated area with spa treatment chairs offers head and shoulder treatments on the go as the train passes through local villages, rural countryside and stops at a few stations on the way.
A one-way ticket aboard The Vietage costs US$185 (about R3,140) per person, including a three-course, pre-ordered meal, free-flow wines, beers and soft drinks, bar snacks and a 30-minute head and shoulder treatment.
An à la carte menu also offers premium wines, champagnes and treats such as local caviar and the finest selection of both local and international cheeses, all available for pre-purchase.
The Vietage departs from Da Nang every morning at 09:31, arriving at Dieu Tri station in Quy Nhon at 15:43. The return journey departs from Dieu Tri at 17:29 and arrives in Da Nang at 23:01.
The Vietage runs for eleven months each year, taking a break during the annual Vietnamese Tet holiday period.
Combination accommodation packages are available with Anantara Hoi An Resort and Anantara Quy Nhon Villas for guests to experience each destination and can be booked directly on the website at https://www.anantara.com/en/vietnam.
The Vietage also contributes to the ‘Dollars for Deeds’ programme, in which US $1 per ticket is donated and guests on board are at liberty to make their own contribution.
Donations are given to the Kianh Foundation, a not-for-profit charity providing a full-time, customised, special needs curriculum for children with disabilities in the Quang Nam Province of Central Vietnam.
For further information, please contact The Vietage team on +84 256 368 6168, or at [email protected].
Image credit: Supplied
