Vietnam’s Hidden Gems Along the Train Route

Vietnam is a land of stark contrasts, ranging from foggy mountains to bustling cities, ancient temples to quiet fishing villages. But many travelers perceive the true Vietnam to exist off-the-beaten-track. Amidst the iconic destinations, there are towns, hamlets, and sites of heritage that quietly charm travelers. Now more than ever, thanks to the North-South railway, and most definitely the experience offered by SJourney, these hidden gems can be unveiled and rediscovered.

A Journey Through Elegance and Discovery

SJourney is more than a luxury train; it is a moving gallery of Vietnamese culture, history, and elegance. Each carriage is inspired by the golden age of Indochinese rail travel, combining vintage charm with contemporary comfort seamlessly. This journey, primarily between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is designed to transcend mere convenience and allow guests to embrace the heart and soul of Vietnam.

On the way to major stops like Hue and Hoi An, which captivate with beauty and history, SJourney exposes travelers to several lesser-known gems that often slip through the cracks in traditional travel itineraries. These include cultural and scenic attractions along the railway, awaiting exploration.

1. Ninh Binh: The Quiet Majesty of Vietnam’s First Kingdom

Increasingly visited, Ninh Binh continues to possess its special, hidden charm, especially when experienced in a curated manner. It’s a lovely place that features limestone karsts, hidden caves, and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu—often referred to as “Halong Bay on land.” Through SJourney, one can drift along the quiet Trang An waterways by sampan boat, with soaring cliffs and emerald waters framing a cinematic landscape.

This altogether creates an experience that is not just about the view but about that timelessness in itself.

Visitors get to pedal through sleepy villages, discover traditional architecture, and meet local artisans with age-old crafts—the kind of stories around which their lives have been lived over the years. It is a place where history does not reside only within monuments but rather is alive day after day.

2. Quang Binh: Where Adventure Meets Authenticity

Quang Binh is a province often neglected; it possesses great natural beauty, but it is best known for Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This region contains some of the largest and most interesting caves in the world; however, the great thing about a journey here is access to much quieter experiences. Instead of rushing into tours, guests can try a soft adventure: a boat ride up the Son River, through subterranean waterways exploring Phong Nha Cave, or at the charming Nuoc Mooc Springs, where jungle sounds replace urban noise. Local flavors come alive in countryside cooking classes, and the evening ends with a home-style dinner in a traditional village setting. These small, thoughtful moments define Quang Binh as a hidden treasure.

3. Phan Thiet: The Cultural Soul of the Coast

Phan Thiet owes its fame to its beaches and sand dunes. However, very few travelers truly know the worth of the place because of its rich cultural fabric. With SJourney, tourists are afforded the opportunity to visit Ta Cu Mountain, where the Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda stands, perched above the city in tranquility. Another gem is the immersive experience at the Fish Sauce Museum, unexpected but deeply Vietnamese, telling the story behind this emblematic ingredient and its heritage.

It is in the late afternoon when, although dotted by some couples, the surreal experience is enhanced, turning silence into rolling waves across the undulating sand. The true cultural highlight is not set until the sun goes low at the Poshanu Cham Towers. Dining under the towers, among ancient architecture and warm ocean breezes, will be a meditative final farewell to the Cham legacy in the region.

Unveiling the Heart of Vietnam Through SJourney

But perhaps the most exceptional SJourney is its manner of getting there. With a motto like “Anticipating before the question,” at SJourney, every moment is curated to anticipate guests’ needs towards a greater sense of comfort and discovery.

To introduce every destination, whether remote or grand, thoughtful context follows. The stories are interspersed throughout the journey: from paying homage to ancestor worship in a countryside temple to sipping tea with an artisan who carves traditional wooden boats-all done to connect the traveler with the living history of Vietnam.

Make no mistake, the train itself is a cultural experience. Designed in the style of Indochine, from the 1930s, the interiors bring to life hand-crafted decor and spacious cabins, framing moving landscapes as living pictures. Even the details, from food to conversations, encourage a deeper appreciation of the places and people that share their stories.

Why Hidden Gems Matter

At secluded places, which on most occasions are not visited by passengers, there is still a welcome respite in between the rush and transaction of travel. These places are spaces filled with authenticity, gentle hospitality, and room to reflect; they are not places jammed with crowds or flashes from cameras. So, when travelers go beyond the well-trodden paths, they end up discovering more than just sights; they find meaning or significance in spending time trying to discover the unfamiliar way, opening a different perspective. SJourney is the name of the spirit of discovery that will go about protecting and nurturing. Guests are not merely taken to places; they are allowed, with all the time and tools available to them, to feel the places, to learn from them, and carry their stories forward. From the very first station in Hanoi to the very last in Ho Chi Minh City, SJourney reveals a Vietnam that is not only beautiful but also soulful. And sometimes, it is in the quietest corners of a country that we find its loudest truths.

Let the Rails Reveal the Rare

For those seeking elegance with depth, luxury with authenticity, and travel with meaning, SJourney is more than a train—it is a cultural passage. Along the North-South line, beyond the guidebooks and glossy brochures, lie Vietnam’s hidden gems. SJourney not only takes you there but helps you see them with new eyes.

Embark, explore, and be changed—one beautiful discovery at a time.