WELCOME        

...and thank you for visiting

FRANKO’S Rail Tours of VIETNAM

Update on our tours in 2025

After 21 wonderful, successful, fun-filled years touring Vietnam by private train, FRANKO'S is hereby advising

there will be no Tours Schedule published for 2025.

Why is it so? 

I've mostly provided up to seven Rail Tours each year since starting with one in 2003, three in 2004 and then 7 by 2006

and beyond.   It's been quite a ride (ninety-four trips in all) but I'm now looking to step away/retire from a job I love and a tours company I founded in 2003 after earlier experiences (1992-95)

which began with a place on  the very first "rail tour" since the

1930s before accepting employment as the Rail Tour escort.    

It can be expected that a number of similar rail tours of Vietnam

will resume in 2026 under new ownership whilst I'm free to escort a tour or two that year to effect a smooth transition for my successor.     After that I intend to go fishing!

However, if you are keen to go in 2025 then all is not lost.

There's movement at the station!  

With no tour schedule published for 2025 FRANKO'S continue to receive growing interest for either a tour in April/May or Sep/Oct 2025.      

As a result of this demand I've chosen to offer the opportunity of 'one or two more'  Rail Tours in 2025 if minimum numbers achieved.    

At this time, a tour between 24 April - 11 May  is now 'more than likely' with 66% of minimum numbers reached.     

Should there continue to be interest (currently 25% ) for a tour later in the year then a second Rail Tour of Vietnam in 2025 could also proceed.

*Please note:

*Tour Dates can only be confirmed after minimum of 12  bookings received.

Confirmed dates will be published HERE as soon as minimum numbers reached.

*If minimum not achieved by mid February 2025 then 'Plan B'

is to proceed with an 18 day Rail/Fly Tour on same dates. 

*Apr/May Tour has option of visiting Long Tan Cross on Anzac Day.  

Keen to record your interest for a Rail Tour in Apr/May or Sep/Oct 2025?   

Easiest way is to call or email FRANKO'S at the earliest ...I'll reply and advise you on tour status, tour dates and when to expect

confirmation of tour proceeding.  

*When booking, no deposit is required before mid March 2025. 

All information on this website remains applicable for all our other tours of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in 2025.    

Changes (described above) refer only to our 18 Day Rail Tours of VIETNAM in 2025. 

Thanks for your attention ... especially to those who have already

enquired about our touring plans for the upcoming New Year.    

I hope I've provided sufficient explanation for all interested in news

about a Rail Tour (or two) in 2025.

Regards  ...and Seasons Greetings to all.

Frank (FrankO) O'Brien

0414403038

December/January 2024/5  

If you were looking for the very best way to see Vietnam,  or you are interested in tours to CAMBODIA and/or LAOS, or just looking for a great holiday and a chance to do something DIFFERENT, then you can relax …you’ve found us!

FRANKO'S Rail Tours of VIETNAM

Our experience of rail tourism in Vietnam is second-to-none and goes back to the very first rail tour in 1992 …long before Vietnam became a tourist hot spot.    Since that time our focus has been on providing the best value rail tour holiday in Asia.    We combine the experience and knowledge gained over many tours to design comprehensive, informative and fun itineraries based around our private rail carriages, good hotels, good food, hand-picked guides, and one of the most interesting rail routes in the world.

It really is the very best way to see Vietnam!

(*see FEEDBACK from earlier tour clients)

FRANKO’S Rail Tours travel the length of Vietnam by private train - from the Mekong Delta to the Red River Valley and Chinese Border.     Visiting 7 different regions of VIETNAM

...an unforgetable travel experience!

Besides Vietnam, our tours also visit historical Angkor & Phnom Penh in CAMBODIA; and Vientiane, Luang Prabang and the mysterious Plain of Jars in charming LAOS - please check out all FRANKO’S Tour Destinations on this site...they are tried & tested and waiting for you.

I trust that you can navigate successfully around our website to find the tour information that you desire.   Should that not be the case, then please feel welcome to call/email us at any time …happy to assist you.   If you notice that something is not included in our information, or is unclear, then please let us know and we’ll fix it pronto ...one never stops learning!   Happy also to provide presentations for travel groups, clubs (ie Probus, Rotary), etc. Details at News/Specials  page.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION on PRICING
All prices on this website are in US Dollars (USD)

(USD prices converted to AUD prices at time of payment)
(Non-Australian clients can pay with USD-Euro-GBP via PayPal)
*See "Tour Dates & Prices" for all Tour Prices

Almost forgot!

Please enjoy our website. You might begin your visit by simply scrolling down this page to find an Introduction to our Rail Tours, plus advice on Airfares and tour sizes.   Links to all FRANKO’S tours can be found in the left column on every page on this website.

I’d also recommend that you click onto Why The Train? to see just what a difference it makes in turning good tours into

unforgetable tours!

Hope to see you one day on your first (or your next) FRANKO’S Tour of VIETNAM, CAMBODIA or LAOS.

Sincerely,    Frank O’Brien

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Take your partner on A Rail Tour of VIETNAM in 2025

A fantastic holiday awaits!

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FRANKO’S Rail Tours of VIETNAM A.B.N. 82 679 818 112
Travel Agent Licence: 32735 (AUSTRALIA)

Memento: FRANKO’S has tours for everyone:

The Retirees, The Idle Rich, The Idle Not-So-Rich, The Railway Fans,

The People Who Like it Quiet, The People Who Like a Good Time,

The People Who Like Asia, The People Who Have Never Been to Asia,

The People Who Want to Learn Something, The People Who Like Our Radio Ad! The Young-At-Heart, The Adventurers,

The Veterans, The Gastronomes, The Culture Vultures, and

Those Who Have Always Wanted to Travel to Exotic Destinations but Somehow Never Got Around to It.

Plus lots of others!

No glossy brochures ...just a Free DVD and a website

with up-to-the-minute tour information that informs and advises.

Everyone has loved THE TRAIN ...that sure spreads-the-word!

So far, so good!

LOOKING FOR A TERRIFIC HOLIDAY?   

SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

Here’s a quick introduction to our most popular tour:
(see full details under: Group Tours- 18 Day Rail Tour of Vietnam)

18 DAY
RAIL TOUR of VIETNAM
(by Private Train)

VISITING:
Sai Gon - Mekong Delta - Cu Chi - Long Tan
Nha Trang - Da Nang - Hoi An - Hue
Ninh Binh - Ha Noi - Sa Pa - Ha Long Bay

There are many ways to see Vietnam as you travel from the Mekong Delta in the south to the Red River Delta and Chinese Border in the far north (or vice-versa), but no better way than by train.      NOT just any train, but a train with our own specially prepared and staffed, private charter carriages that stay with us throughout the journey.      This tour is UNIQUE.

FRANKO’S train offers the most comfortable, relaxing way to travel through Vietnam ...and it’s GREAT FUN!

18 adventure-filled days taking in the history, sights and charms offered by this beautiful country and it’s hard-working, friendly people.    Experienced guides, good hotels, fantastic food, great entertainment, and sensational shopping ensures everyone is programmed to fully enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.

TOUR PACKAGE includes 4 Star hotels (w/late checkouts!); ALL meals (yum!); ALL in-country transport (transfers, coach, boat & train); ALL entry fees, a day/night cruise on Ha Long Bay, a visit to Sa Pa, and the services of an experienced Tour Manager and a National Guide.
Our packages can also include the option of an escorted overnight tour to LONG TAN, NUI DAT, VUNG TAU and BA RIA.

RAIL TOUR PRICES (not incl airfare). 18 Day Tour in 2024 is priced from *$4000 pp/ts (Standard).   Superior Tour is *$4200 pp/ts.

*Option of 5 Star hotels on Rail Tour ...from *$5500 pp/ts with Superior Class rail.

Single Supplement cost (Single traveller/single occupancy hotel room) is $705.00  (4 Star hotels), or $1200.00  (5 Star hotels).

*See Tour Dates & Prices for all Rail Tour price options in 2025

*Consider that this is a fully escorted 18 day tour (17 nights) visiting ALL of Vietnam’s attractions, with all meals, late hotel checkouts, AND the unique advantage of THE TRAIN ...superb value!

* Almost every tour escorted by Frank O’Brien (Franko) ...a Vietnamese speaker since 1968 and a pioneer in the resurrection and promotion of Viet Nam as a tourism destination after so many years of war and hardships.      Frank will introduce you to Vietnam no matter your age or personal interests ...or pay for your drinks! 

TOUR SIZES

*Minimum Rail Tour size is 12 persons. Maximum 26. (Av 16)
Private Rail Tour Group Charter. Min 12 / Max 39 persons
18 Day Ticketed Rail Tour. Minimum 2 persons.

*Note. If minimum numbers for 18 Day Rail Tour are not reached,

FRANKO’S guarantee to provide those clients already booked

with an amended 18 day itinerary (same dates) based on

3 nights by train (not 5) with 2 extra nights in 4 star hotels (Hoi An-Ha Noi).

Tour will still be fully escorted. We guarantee no one will be disappointed!

AIRFARES
Clients can book/purchase their airfares to/from Vietnam at the travel agency of their choice, or FRANKO’S can secure air tickets for clients under our group booking arrangements.   We aim to secure best prices on offer ...as a free service.

Singapore, Malaysian, Thai,  Vietnam and JetStar airlines offer flights to Saigon and return from Hanoi.

Only Vietnam Airlines have direct flights to Saigon from Melb-Syd.

*Only Vietnam Airlines offer 40kg luggage allowance

*Other airlines offer 20-30kg luggage allowance

CLICK onto our 18 Day Rail Tour of Vietnam
and check the Itinerary to see just where we go,

what hotels we stay at   ...and how long we are there!

There’s also a DELUXE version of our Rail Tour
to cater for up to 10 comfort loving travellers
...who can go whenever they wish!

Plus

Tours of LAOS and CAMBODIA