On the North-South Thong Nhat railway line, the Nha Trang to Quy Nhon section features The Vietage by Anantara, two carriages attached to the end of the train, offering a distinct experience from standard travel. A Vietage representative explained the journey initially launched 5 years ago on the Da Nang - Quy Nhon route, a 6-hour trip. The Nha Trang - Quy Nhon leg opened in 2024, showcasing the coastal region during a journey of over 5 hours.

The journey departs Nha Trang station daily at 1:25 PM. Guests are greeted at the station, provided access to a private waiting lounge with complimentary food and beverages, and receive their boarding passes and a journey overview before embarking.

Dieu Thanh, a traveler from Ho Chi Minh City, experienced the luxurious carriages in late July, checking in before boarding the train for her scenic journey.

While the exterior retains the characteristic blue and white paint of the Thong Nhat train, the two end carriages have been renovated into a premium space.

Stepping inside reveals an ambiance distinct from the rest of the train. The Indochine-style interior combines wood with woven bamboo partitions, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

The carriages are divided into 6 cabins with 12 seats, a bar area, a massage room, and restrooms. Each cabin has two seats and large windows offering panoramic views.

The 5-hour journey takes passengers through rice paddies, lotus ponds, hills, and villages, with the vibrant coastal life unfolding through the train windows. The highlight of the trip is the intermittent stretches where the train hugs the coastline, offering breathtaking ocean views.

Three dedicated staff members attend to passengers throughout the journey. In the privacy of their cabins, guests enjoy afternoon tea with snacks and freshly prepared beverages. The ticket price of 10 million VND (approximately 420 USD) per passenger includes a private seat, afternoon tea set, drinks, a massage, and all onboard services.

The wide windows reveal a slice of the south-central countryside: rice paddies nearing harvest, a mix of fading green and the brown of recently harvested fields. Occasionally, a lotus pond or the small roof of a village house appears amidst the sprawling fields. The constantly changing landscape, juxtaposed with the elegant afternoon tea setting inside the carriage, creates a captivating contrast.

The afternoon tea set includes pastries, sandwiches, and appetizers featuring fresh shrimp and salmon roe. The menu incorporates local flavors with ingredients such as tomatoes from Da Lat, H’Mong chicken, and Quy Nhon shrimp. Passengers can choose dishes to their liking, accompanied by tea or alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available onboard.

Dieu Thanh praised the fresh, generous portions and the service, comparing it to a high-end restaurant. "The difference is that everything takes place on a train traveling along the central coast," she said.

Around 3:30 PM, a little over an hour after departure, the ocean view emerges through the windows. Staff announce this approximately 15 minutes beforehand, allowing passengers to prepare.

The train follows the coastline, passing small bays and curving stretches of golden sand. Although brief, these coastal scenes are a visual highlight, standing out against the backdrop of rice paddies, hills, and villages. East-facing window seats offer the best vantage point for these oceanside passages.

The ocean view emerges through the train window.

Past the halfway point, staff serve a second course of sliced cold cuts with jam, assorted pastries, cheese, and a selection of beverages. Thanh noted the generous portions, saying she was still enjoying the first course when the second arrived. Throughout the journey, the attentive staff proactively addressed passenger needs.

Near the end of the journey, passengers enjoy a 15-minute massage in specialized seated chairs with head, arm, and leg rests for comfortable forward leaning. The professional massage therapists provide skilled treatments, adjusting pressure as requested, even with the gentle motion of the train.

"Five hours on the train passed quickly," another passenger commented. "Between dining, taking photos, enjoying the scenery, and the massage, the time flew by before the staff announced our arrival at Dieu Tri station."

The train arrives at Dieu Tri station around 7 PM after a 5-hour journey. Shuttle buses from resorts await to transport passengers to Quy Nhon city center.

Article and photos: Bich Phuong