Vietage Luxury Train from Da Nang to Quy Nhon | My Review
I took the Vietage, a train that’s supposed to offer a luxury experience between Da Nang and Quy Nhon. On paper, it sounds great: a renovated carriage, a refined meal, and attentive service. But once on board, I quickly realized that the price doesn’t guarantee everything.
10 million dong one-way, that’s over €350 for six hours on a train. At that price, you expect top-tier quality. And yet, it’s still just a single upgraded carriage attached to the back of a regular train, with some nicer finishes and a meal included.
Here, I’ll give you my unfiltered experience: what I liked, what disappointed me, and whether it’s really worth it or not.
The Price: 10 Million Dong for a One-Way Ticket
Let’s not beat around the bush: 10 million dong for a six-hour ride is over €350. At that price, I expected a real step up in quality. In reality, you’re mostly paying for a lunch and a slightly upgraded carriage, attached to the back of a regular train.
It’s expensive, especially when you know that a normal train ticket costs just a few hundred thousand dong. The value for money is clearly questionable, even if the service is decent. For this kind of price, you’d expect a true high-end experience, not just a meal and weak air conditioning.
The Cabin: Renovated, But Not a Train of Its Own
When you think luxury train, you imagine a dedicated carriage, a real space of its own. Here, it’s simply a renovated wagon added to the end of a standard Vietnamese train. The interior is clean, the materials are well finished, but you can definitely feel you’re still part of the main train.
There are a few convertible benches, a large window, a small table… but space is limited. If you’re two people, there’s no real place to sit face-to-face comfortably. It’s far from feeling like a rolling lounge. And in terms of sound insulation, you can clearly hear the rails, station stops, and general train noise.
In short, it’s nicely arranged, but it’s still just an upgraded section, not an independent luxury experience.
Comfort: Between Promise and Reality
This is where things start to fall short. On paper, they sell you a premium experience. In reality, the air conditioning barely works. It was hot in the cabin, especially in the afternoon. I had to keep my fan close, not exactly what you expect from a “luxury” train.
There’s no proper seat for sitting upright. You’re either lying down or half-reclined on your bench, but it’s not designed for reading or chatting comfortably. You quickly end up uncomfortable, or just waiting around for the journey to end.
And there are no little extras: no magazines, no music, no thoughtful details that would make it feel like a curated experience. You get the feeling that the comfort is more in the marketing than in the reality.
The Meal: A “Tourist” Menu and Caviar on the Side
The meal is included, but don’t expect refined local cuisine. It’s a very standard international tourist menu: starter, main, dessert, nicely presented but nothing special. It’s fine, but it lacks character.
You’re offered an optional local caviar at 2.5 million dong for 50 grams. Honestly, it feels more like a marketing gimmick than a real gourmet experience. At that price, you’d be better off going to a good restaurant in Quy Nhon once you arrive.
In short, you’re mainly paying for the lunch, but it’s not a meal that justifies a 10-million-dong ticket. That’s an expensive lunch.
Connection & Power Outlets: Decent, Nothing More
There is free Wi-Fi on board, which is always appreciated. That said, the connection is unreliable, especially when the train goes through poorly covered areas. Forget about streaming or video calls, but it’s good enough to check emails or reply to messages.
Each seat has access to a power outlet, which is convenient for charging your phone or laptop. That’s a good point. Still, the space isn’t designed for working comfortably. You won’t want to spend six hours in that position, unless you’re sleeping or doing nothing.
✅ What I Liked
- The staff is genuinely helpful. They greet you at the platform, carry your luggage, help you settle in, and remain discreet but attentive throughout the journey.
- The carriage is clean and nicely renovated, with a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, nothing like standard Vietnamese train compartments.
- There is Wi-Fi, and even though it cuts out from time to time, it’s enough for checking emails or reading messages.
- The power outlet next to the bench is convenient if you need to charge your phone or laptop.
❌ What I Didn’t Like
- The air conditioning is weak, sometimes almost nonexistent. With the heat, it gets unpleasant quickly.
- There’s no real space to sit comfortably. You’re half-reclined on your bench, but it’s not designed for reading or having a relaxed conversation.
- Not a single magazine, nothing to flip through, no small touch that makes it feel like a premium journey.
- The menu is very “tourist-friendly”, with nothing surprising, and in the end, you’re mostly paying for the food.
- The carriage is just attached to a regular local train, so you feel all the vibrations, station stops, and noise.
- And finally, 2.5 million dong for 50 grams of “local” caviar is a bit much, even for the novelty.
My Opinion
The Vietage sounds like a great idea on paper, but it doesn’t quite deliver on its promises. Yes, the carriage is clean, the staff is friendly, and your meal is served at the table. But in the end, you’re still on a regular train, with weak air conditioning, limited space, and no real immersive experience.
At 10 million dong for a one-way ticket, you’d expect more than just a lunch, polite service, and some nice decor. It’s not a bad trip, but it’s not luxury either. And when you compare it with what the same amount gets you in flights, hotels, or even a cruise, the choice becomes obvious.
If you’ve got money to spare and want to try it once just out of curiosity, go for it. But if you’re after a genuine high-end experience, you’re better off spending your budget elsewhere.