New-age train glamour in Vietnam

The Vietage leaves Da Nang every morning on its way to Quy Nhon.

Anantara is letting the train take the strain with the launch of The Vietage, a luxury rail journey through south central Vietnam.

The train departed on its inaugural trip on July 1, winding its way through the Vietnamese countryside from Da Nang to Quy Nhon.

The Vietage has been developed to link Anantara Hoi An and Anantara Quy Nhon Villas following the launch of the villa complex early last year.

Rather than guests having to hit the road to access Quy Nhon Villas, the hospitality group decided to offer guests the opportunity to channel a glamorous new age of train travel in a 12-seat, custom-designed carriage.

Sit back and relax as the countryside whizzes past.

Think sleek, modern interior, comfy seats and large picture windows to soak up the local scenery. Stretch your legs in the sit-up bar before tucking into lunch or dinner from a curated menu of Vietnamese dishes with a French twist. Local ingredients have been spun to create seafood salads and plenty of plant- and meat-based options. Finish your meal with local Da Lat strawberries or French-style creme brulee with Vietnamese Dong Nai chocolate.

Passengers will also have the option to relax in a spa treatment chair and enjoy head and shoulder treatments.

The six-hour journey steams past local villages and open countryside, with a few stops along the way.

The Vietage costs US$185 per person and includes a three-course, pre-ordered meal, free-flow wines, beers, soft drinks, bar snacks and a 30-minute head and shoulder treatment.

The Vietage departs Da Nang each morning at 0931 and arrives at Dieu Tri station in Quy Nhon at 1543. The return journey departs Dieu Tri at 1729 and arrives in Da Nang at 2301. The Vietage will run for eleven months each year, with a break for the annual Vietnamese Tet holiday period.

Contact Anantara for combination package information with Anantara Hoi An Resort and Anantara Quy Nhon Villas.

The Vietage is contributing to the Dollars for Deeds programme, which means for every ticket purchased, US$1 will be donated to Kianh Foundation, a charity that provides a special needs curriculum for children with disabilities in the Quang Nam province of Vietnam.