Searching for an affordable slow luxury travel experience in Southeast Asia? If you’ve heard of the legendary Eastern & Oriental Express chugging from Singapore up through Malaysia…we’ve found a cheaper alternative hidden nearby. You can hop on a quick direct flight out of Changi to discover cinematic landscapes, complete with velvet seats, fine wine, and a personal spa therapist in Vietnam. Developed by hospitality powerhouse Anantara, Vietnam’s The Vietage offers an ultra-romantic carriage experience. Wonderfully, it delivers all the high-end glamour of heritage train travel without the price tag. Here’s why.
Why is The Vietage a cheaper option?
Vietnam’s vintage train has quietly stolen the show operating between the coastal hubs of Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang. There’s two separate journeys offering a seamless way to experience central Vietnam. The single custom carriage holds a maximum of just 12 passengers at any time—so the atmosphere feels less like a public train and more like a private lounge.
Handcrafted wood panels, rattan details, and massive panoramic windows frame a rolling backdrop of emerald rice paddies, sleeping fishing villages, and dramatic South China Sea coastline as you cruise at a leisurely pace.
Onboard, travellers have their own private booth with plush seats, free WiFi, and charging ports for the 6-hour day trip. Meanwhile, a personal host serves a pre-ordered, three-course gourmet meal blending French technique with vibrant Vietnamese flavours. Plus, there’s free-flowing wine, craft beers, and bespoke cocktails available throughout the journey.
Other highlights include a black-marble sit up bar, a wellness room offering free head and shoulder treatments by a professional therapist, and an amenity basket packed with a cozy blanket and neck pillow to ensure you stay entirely relaxed.
Vietage daily schedules
Morning Route (North to South):
- Departs from Da Nang (7.55am)
- Arrives in Quy Nhon (2.11pm)
- Arrives in Nha Trang (7.18pm)
Afternoon Route (South to North):
- Departs from Nha Trang (2.03pm)
- Arrives in Quy Nhon (5.55pm)
- Arrives in Da Nang (11.21pm)
Excitingly, a 1-day ticket for The Vietage cost from S$460 to S$607 while a luxury rail journey such as the Eastern & Oriental Express is nearly S$5,000 for two nights. So this makes the Vietnamese masterpiece roughly 11 times cheaper than the famous luxury train in Singapore. Plus, there’s plenty of hidden gems to see on this trip like Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam’s version of Greece, and Golden Hands Bridge.
