Anantara has debuted an exclusive luxury railway carriage, the Vietage, which travels between two of its South Central Vietnamese resorts. Rose Dykins reports
Luxury hotel company Anantara has created a luxury train carriage, the Vietage, as a memorable way for its guests to explore Vietnam by rail.
The Vietage, with just 12 reservation-only seats, makes its way along Vietnam’s South Central coast between Anantara Hoi An Resort and Anantara Quy Nhon Villas.
The glamorous six-hour journey through Vietnamese countryside transports guests between the two five-star Anantara properties, and dual accommodation packages that include the rail journey are available. 
The custom-designed carriage harks back to the golden era of rail travel, incorporating sleek modern interiors and generously sized seats.
A one-way ticket on the Vietage costs US$185 per person. For this, passengers receive a three-course meal, free-flowing alcoholic and soft drinks, and a 30-minute head and shoulder massage.
On board, guests will take in the views of mountains, rice paddy fields and rural villages through big picture windows.
As the countryside rolls by, those on board are treated to an exclusively curated Vietnamese menu with a French twist. Typical dishes include Quy Noon seafood salad, barley risotto and braised Wagyu neck, followed by strawberries from Da Lat, or cream brûlée made with chocolate from Dong Nai.
Customers can also pre-order from Vietage’s à la carte menu, choosing from premium wines, champagnes, international cheeses and local caviars.
There is a sit-up bar, and a treatment area for head and shoulder massages, with chairs that face outwards, so passengers can soak up the scenery as they relax.
The Vietage will run for eleven months each year, taking a break during Vietnam’s annual Tet holiday period celebrating the Lunar New Year (beginning on February 12 in 2021).
The Vietage departs from Da Nang every day at 9.30am, arriving at Dieu Tri station in Quy Noon at 3.34pm. The return journey from Dieu Tri departs at 5.29pm and arrives in Da Nang at 11.01pm.
The Vietage also contributes to Anantara’s Dollars for Deeds programme. US$1 per ticket is being donated, and guests on board are free to make their own contribution. The funds go toward the Kianh Foundation, a charity providing a full-time, customised special needs curriculum for children with disabilities in the Quang Nam province in central Vietnam.
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