Cross-Vietnam train tour costs more than 200 million VND per passenger

The luxury train with ticket price up to more than 200 million VND per passenger departed from Saigon station, taking 13 international passengers across Vietnam for 7 days and 6 nights.

According to a representative of Vietnam Railway Transport Joint Stock Company, the first luxury cross-Vietnam train, coded SE61, departed from Saigon station on December 18, stopping at Phan Thiet station on December 19. The train then moved to Nha Trang on December 20, visiting several locations in the city and continuing to the central provinces and the final stop was at Hanoi station.

Inside the luxury cross-Vietnam tourist train SE61. Video : PYS

Binh Thuan province's tourism promotion center said international tourists from countries such as Germany, the US, the UK, and Belgium visited local relics such as the Fish Sauce Museum, Po Sah Inu Tower, Bau Trang, and Mui Ne.

Mr. Tran Sy Son, CEO of PYS Travel, the operator, said the 5-star cross-Vietnam train was conceived and prepared for implementation 3 years ago.

Phase one in 2025 will see the train operate 3-4 times per month. The train will have 5 sleeping cars with 15 fully equipped private rooms, a restaurant and a kitchen car, serving up to 30 passengers. The interior items were designed, planned and completed in nearly two years.

According to Mr. Son, a 30-passenger train has 28 service people. The train staff consists of 12 railway attendants, fluent in English, including two train conductors, two electrical technicians, one inspector and security guard, and a flight attendant. The operating unit has 16 employees, of which 10 are in charge of food service.

The train costs $7,320 (VND186 million) per passenger, applicable in December. In 2025, the ticket price will be $8,610 (VND219 million) per passenger.

On each train, guests are served deluxe meals with local and international dishes prepared by a private chef. The itinerary includes a tailor-made sightseeing tour upon request, taking guests to explore tourist attractions across the length of the country.

CEO PYS Travel hopes that this railway product will create a new direction for luxury travel experiences in Vietnam. According to him, luxury travel experiences should follow the current 5C trend in the world, including culture, cuisine, community, content (unique experiences) and customization.

"Although infrastructure is still limited, Vietnamese tourism wants to target the high-end segment so it should be built step by step, following the 5C criteria," said Mr. Son.

Source