Franko's Rail Tours of Vietnam

15/09/2025

One last trip …I’m looking forward to it, as ever! Join us for my last tour 30 Oct - 16 Nov. Come on up, weather will be comfy.

15/09/2025

It’s 50 years since the fall of Sai Gon. The people are happy and prospering. I’m happy and retiring. I’ve seen the peoples of Vietnam at war, at peace and during the years of rebuilding …to their post Covid resurgence to become a tourist magnet. Many return to do it again and at last the hotels are thriving. Good for them …they earned it.

I’m stepping away but FRANKO’S will continue providing Rail Tours by private train in 2026 and beyond …with new driver (family) keen to take the company well into 2026 and beyond!

But it’s not over for me yet …one last tour from 30 Oct -16 Nov.

*I have videoed VN on almost every tour since 2023 …recording the development of the skylines of every major region visited on tour. The former capitols of Cochinchina, Annam and Tonkin at the turn of the century- I look forward to having the time free to edit the lot. That will keep me occupied on/off for a couple of winters on the coast. Cheers all 🍺😇😎

26/12/2024

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 es**rt.
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 es**rt 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 OR 08 -25 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.
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
02 December 2024

10/11/2023

frankosvietnam.com
News about 2024
👁 Uploaded! 👁

17/10/2023

Still enjoying relaxing in Ha Noi after last tour ...heading home tomorrow night ...tour pics to follow. Coupla days!

04/06/2023

04/06/2023

UPDATE on website ...we’re back online! (frankosvietnam.com).
Still some tinkering and adjustments by webmaster but the boffins will be done today/tonight.

Apologies for our temporary technical difficulties ...that’s history now.

Latest tour news is that Rail Tour #4 (28 Sep - 15 Oct 2023) now has very few vacancies, but there’s still time! Tour #5 (19 Oct - 05 Nov) also still available.

Cheers all,
FrankO

If you were looking for the very best way to see Vietnam, or you are a train buff, 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!

25/05/2023

FRANKO’S website currently down for maintenance problem ...expect to be sorted by or before Monday morning ...29 May.
Apologies for delay ...but we are now in the hands of the tech geeks. 😱😎

Starting Friday 26/5 I will keep enquirers updated here on Facebook with news on our remaining Rail Tours this year in September, Sep/Oct and Oct/Nov.

Again, sorry for current technical hiccup with frankosvietnam.com ...we hope to resume normal services shortly”. Hoped I’d never need to say that ...but I practised the lines! 😁🛎🛎

If you were looking for the very best way to see Vietnam, or you are a train buff, 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!

24/05/2023

Many people ask me how I started in the Viet Nam Rail Tours Business.
Best answer I can give is to check out my book “The Competitor” by Frank O’Brien with Max Carmichael. Rail Tours are covered in Chapters 23 to 25. See pic of book cover below.

25/02/2023

Next up ...final three Rail Tours of Vietnam in 2023.
Book your places now then enjoy the anticipation of
a super fun holiday amongst the friendly Indochinese! 📣🔈🇦🇺🇻🇳