We offer the last alive steam locomotive charter tour in Vietnam with special technique visit to take photo or filming of the Locomotive with cargo cars or passenger cars. Beside that, we also offer other visits to Railway depots of the Vietnam Railways to see not only the steam locomotive but also Diesel Locomotives which we called " Made in Vietnam Loco " This is the most interesting trip for rail enthusiastic persons. Combination with the technical visit will be a visit to the most beautiful bay in Vietnam, a World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay awarded by UNESCO in 1994 . Please see the itinerary below for details of the trip.
Hanoi - Thai Nguyen Steam charter tour - Halong
(5 days - 4 nights )
Day 1 : Arrival in Hanoi - Thai Nguyen (D)
Our driver and guide pick up group at Noi Bai International Airport. Transfer to Thai Nguyen 75 Km from Hanoi. Check in hotel in Thai Nguyen and dinner.
Day 2: Thai Nguyen Steam charter day from Thai Nguyen Steel Corporation to Luu Xa railway station (B/L/D)
After breakfast at hotel, 08h30 departure from Thai Nguyen city to visit to the steam Locomotive in the workshop, Scenario preparation & discussion with steam locomotive conductors before the charter really starts from the workshop to Luu Xa Railway station. From Thai Nguyen Iron Loco to Luu xa railway station about 3,5 Km and steam locomotive will run on 1,435 M standard gauge which is only available at some routes of Vietnam. Charter time from 09h00 at work shop and to Luu xa railway station at 10h30 and from Luu Xa station Back to Workshop at 12h00. Stops on the way are fixed at total 6 stops for a return trip. It is enough time for you to take good photographs of the steam loco or make a film to memorize the wonderful steam charter trip in Vietnam. Saying good bye to the steam conductors and moving to city center for lunch. Afer lunch. We move back to Hanoi. On the way back, Visit to Dong Anh Railway station to see the local trains running from Hanoi & Long Bien station to Thai Nguyen , Yen Bai and Lao Cai. Taking photo of standard gauges at railway station and passenger train. 17h30 check in hotel in Hanoi for a shower. 19h00' Dinner in restaurant in hotel or downtown. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi City with Technical visits (B/L/D)
After breakfast at hotel . 08h30 our driver and guide pick up and transfer group to visit Hanoi Railways Locomotive workshop where locomotives are being serviced or maintained by skillful railway workers. 10h00 an other visit to Vietnam Railway Museum to study about the History of building up and development of Vietnam Railways . Books and photos are available in English & French language for sales. Listen to explanation Museum keeper to have the real information of Vietnam Railways. These information and photos of Vietnam railways can be found nowhere in Vietnam but only in this Museum. Lunch in town. 14h30' Transfer to Dong Anh to Visit Yen Vien Deport where you can find some mixed old style and new style Locomotives and Diesel Locomotives. 17h00 Back to Hanoi for dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 4: Hanoi - Ha Long (B/L/D)
06h10 pick up and transfer to Gia Lam Station to take local train to Halong departure at 07h05 and arrival in Ha Long station at 12h00. Our bus will carry your luggage and waiting for group to arrival in Ha Long town. Taking this train, you will have a good chance to see how local people transport their merchandizes from Hanoi to Ha Long. It is just like the scene of Vietnam in 1980s. Train stops at 17 stations before arrival in the last one Ha Long Railway station. Bus pick up group from station and transfer to Cruise station to check in Cabin. Lunch on board with fresh seafood while the cruise keeps on going to start the fascinating trip to discover Ha Long Bay. After Lunch. a short break on the deck for sun bathing and enjoying Vietnamese green tea and green bean cake, a specialty of Hai Duong province. If the weather is warm, It will be a good chance to swim at the emerald water of Halong Bay. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 5 : Ha Long - Hanoi - Departure. (B/L/-)
Breakfast will be served on board and cooked by cabin crew. Continue your trip to visit multi shapes islands in Halong with a stop at Hen & Cock island for photos. 11h00 arrival in the Harbor. Driver pick up group and transfer to Restaurant in town for lunch. After lunch. Return to Hanoi with one stop at the middle of the road for your refreshment, then transfer directly to Noi Bai airport for your flight back Home. ( Please book your late afternoon flight from Vietnam to your home country when you take this trip.)
Quotation: 1,279 USD/person in twin sharing room for group of minimum 6-11 persons. For group size from 12 to 30 persons, please contact us for discount tour fare and Free of charge for Tour leader in half twin room.
Single supplement: 180 USD
For this kind of special tour. We accept booking from minimum group size of 06 persons and maximum 30 persons. Request should be made at least 20 days prior to arrival date of the group in Vietnam, so that we can have enough time to arrange permission & fix date to charter steam locomotive. We request all participant to supply us with 1 copy of scanned passport for permission approval.
+ Included in our price:
- 4 nights accommodation with 1 night on Junk cruise. Rental cost of charter steam locomotive with 2 cargo and 01 passenger car for 3 hours with conductors. 8 meal as mentioned in the itinerary and 4 breakfast at hotel. Transportation by good Van or Bus depending on group size. English or French speaking guide for the whole itinerary. Permission to visit to administrative offices of Vietnam Railways. Entrance fee to sightseeing places other than offices. Cruise in Halong Bay.
+ Excluded:
- International air ticket to and from Vietnam. Vietnam Visa ( If applicable). Tip to local Tour guide, driver and steam conductors. Personal expenses, laundry, telephone calls, beverage of all kinds and any other services not mentioned in the " INCLUDED" above.
