Franko's Rail Tours of Vietnam in Ocean Grove, Victoria | Travel company

Franko's Rail Tours of Vietnam

Locality: Ocean Grove, Victoria

Phone: +61 414 403 038

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23.01.2022 UPDATE on situation re Coronavirus and international travel (March to August 2020) Hello everyone! We hope you are all staying... well away from the dreaded microbe that is stalking Planet Earth. Yes,Travel is temporarily off everyones bucket list ...and could be so for some time yet. Sadly, FRANKOS April 2020 Rail Tour has been cancelled but were hopeful that our final 2 train tours this year in September and October will proceed. Please stay tuned here for UPDATES Lets BEAT THAT VIRUS ...then take a nice holiday!

23.01.2022 Say something about this video.

23.01.2022 As hinted earlier ...theres been 2 necessary changes to Tour #1 in April 2019. Now starts 2 days earlier on 7 April and ends on 24 April. Also tour must... now start in Sai Gon (not Ha Noi). Those who wish to attend ANZAC Day at Long Tan Cross can still do so ...after Rail Tour ends, fly to Sai Gon for an extra day and be in Vung Tau on evening of 24 April. Easy! Tour #7 (09-26 Oct) will be the only Rail Tour starting in Ha Noi.

23.01.2022 We don’t recommend bus tours in SE Asia. Instead, our train tours allow you to relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery, not stare at the road and ...SCREAM. Note: Not sure of location or country shown in this video.

23.01.2022 New video from Frank OBrien

22.01.2022 Hanoi Bikes and SaPa Rice ...in 60 secs! Hanoi -10/10/2014. Unusually there were no cars on the road ...2 wheeled vehicles only.

22.01.2022 From Sai Gon by Ferry to Vung Tau ...then to the Long Tan Cross followed by a visit to the former Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat. Our visit to Nui Dat... discovered a sad sight ...the Australian built kindergarden is no longer echoing with the sounds of children and is slowly being overgrown. This facility for the kids of Nui Dat was built by the Australian Vietnam Veterans Reconstruction Group (AVVRG). An emotional day ...it always is. See more

22.01.2022 Brekky on the train ...somewhere in north Vietnam! Actually we are just a 150km south of Hanoi ...Day 12/18. Life is pretty darn good at the moment ...all troops fit and well and looking forward to seeing The North.

21.01.2022 Locked away at home? Here’s a quick look around Vietnam to fill in some time!

21.01.2022 Ive been to cities all over Viet Nam ...from Sai Gon to Ha Noi and old Hoi An, but I realise something Ive always known - I still call it my second home. (...Thank you Peter Allen). Now after more than 50 years of visiting and studying the country and its friendly, hardworking people, Im ready to call this my last tour and had over the reins to my grandson Liam at years end. Current tour ends on 20 October. Next FRANKOS tour is April 2020 (dates TBA). But right now Ill begin a series of picture posts here on Facebook ...photos of current tour and some of my favourite pics from years gone by. Hope you find them of some interest ...whether youve been on one of my Rail Tours or not. We kick off with some street scenes in Hanoi in late September before I travelled south to start the Rail Tour on 03 October.

20.01.2022 Quando terminar a quarentena .

20.01.2022 After arriving in Da Nang we visit Marble Mountain before sliding into our digs at the Silk Luxury Hotel in the old town of Hoi An. The Japanese Bridge by nigh...t, street musicians, fine food, and a relic from the 60s (a "Lambro") has a new life! Lanterns illuminate every street ...beautiful. No wonder that Hoi An is still the No1 tourism attraction in Vietnam. See more

19.01.2022 Where we we last time I posted here? I floated a few pics of my first trip back to Vietnam in 1989. Heres a few more from same trip ...my fellow travell...ers were from the 1989 Viet language Course at RAAF School of Languages ...I was the old boy from waaayyy back! Thought some may be interested in seeing what the area looked like, exactly 20 years after 6RAR erected a cross at the site of the battle of Long Tan. See individual pics for brief description. I shouldve worn long trousers...but I was dressed for work that day: I got everyone to roll up sleeves and clear the immediate area of weeds (over a metre high) before we departed. We felt that we earned our Beer that night! Other pics show: The water tower in Ba Ria - the repaired Ba Ria movie theatre - and building underway (Imperial Hotel) on the site of the fmr Peter Badcoe,VC. Club. Last pic of me with Viet policemen (and keg!) is outside Ha Noi railway station.

18.01.2022 Dinner cruise tonight ...train party tomorrow night as we head to the seaside resort of Nha Trang. Beautiful weather. Good food, good company.

17.01.2022 Its Sunday 13 Oct and we are in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Now only a week till the end of current tour ...time to catch up with my FB posts with some pics from our visits to Nha Trang and Hoi An. The weather has been good to us ...tans are coming along nicely!

15.01.2022 Finally have Version 1.0 of new video focusing on FRANKOS Dining & Sleeper carriages ...and some activities aboard the iron horse in Vietnam. TOUR DATES for 2018 - 2019 are included. A BIG Thank You to the many tour clients who appear on the video ...and especially to our guide ...the entertaining MISTER ZEN. Thinking about a trip? Please book early. Xin cam on nhieu lam !

14.01.2022 Merry Christmas everyone And may 2020 be the best year of your life ...CHEERS!Merry Christmas everyone And may 2020 be the best year of your life ...CHEERS!

13.01.2022 A quick look at FRANKOS Dining Car ...and a bit of fun. *See our next 1 Minute video (#2) for "Stuff We See on Tour"

13.01.2022 Frank & Zen appearing for the last time? Clients on FRANKOS final Rail Tour of VIETNAM in Sep/Oct 2019 had 3 separate start dates ...so therell be 3 different... end dates. But well kick off with my mate and FRANKOS most experienced guide Mister ZEN join me in an appearance at Cu Chi Tunnels last Friday. Charmers! See more

11.01.2022 Take the slow train ...theres no hurry. We follow a glorious, bountiful coast, with something different to fascinate us each day. Our latest 1 minute video is Just teasin.

09.01.2022 Now here’s a story from the vault ...the link below was on the FRANKO’S VIETNAM website but I hadn’t clicked on it for over 11 years. Herald-Sun journalist Mary tells the story of her experience of Vietnam with me and guide Zen. On that occasion she met Warrant Officer FrankO. I didn’t think I was too bad! I thought it worth a post ...especially to those who have had the same experience, or those contemplating such an adventure. Hope the link works...! Did I mention that next tour starts in Saigon in just 14 weeks? C’mon! https://www.heraldsun.com.au//996f19bfb46b4a2c976d0becb668

09.01.2022 Locked away at home? Heres a quick look around Vietnam to fill in some time!

08.01.2022 All Rail Tour dates for 2019. Please note that Tours #1 and #7 start in HANOI.

08.01.2022 This live video from train drivers cab (in different countries) may interest a few train addicts ...and a few straights. I dont know what youll see. But its winter somewhere!

07.01.2022 Just over 4 months before the 1st of our final 2 Rail Tours in 2019 begin. After 16 years manning FRANKOS travel agency desk, these will be my last at... the helm. The travel business will continue in good hands, so Im relaxed and looking forward to taking my last tour groups on an unforgettable adventure. Going out with a BLAST! Vacancies still exist on Tour #6 (starts in Saigon on 26 Sep) and on Tour #7 (begins in Hanoi on 09 Oct). More details at FRANKOS Rail Tours of VIETNAM website.

07.01.2022 FRANKOS last Rail Tour this year has begun ...in Saigon. Lets start with a look at the beautiful ladies ...right outside our hotel. We start each tour at The Continental Hotel ...the oldest in Vietnam (estab 1880).

07.01.2022 Now heres a story from the vault ...the link below was on the FRANKOS VIETNAM website but I hadnt clicked on it for over 11 years. Herald-Sun journalist Mary tells the story of her experience of Vietnam with me and guide Zen. On that occasion she met Warrant Officer FrankO. I didnt think I was too bad! I thought it worth a post ...especially to those who have had the same experience, or those contemplating such an adventure. Hope the link works...! Did I mention that next tour starts in Saigon in just 14 weeks? Cmon! https://www.heraldsun.com.au//996f19bfb46b4a2c976d0becb668

05.01.2022 Perhaps my favourite pic from Oct tour last year. I havent seen 6 on a bike for a while ...and didnt this time! Mum picks up 4 kids w/school bags and has time to do a bit of shopping on the way home. Very little protection for ones family ...but it is commonplace in most/all of Vietnam.

04.01.2022 Sa Pa villagers

02.01.2022 Two days in glorious Nha Trang - Fishing fleets, seafood and its Halloween at the Sailing Club. A pity we must leave so soon ...but the ancient town of Hoi An awaits a little further up the line. The weather is fantastic!

01.01.2022 Saigon ...after Cu Chi and Mekong trips. Weve been staying at The Continental and Grand hotels ...dining at the Rex! I love it at night here ...wonderful bal...my evenings. The wet season is near exhausted. Pics of Bitexco Tower, Dinner Cruise on Saigon River, War Remnants Museum. Next Pics ...a bit of R&R in lovely, sunny, beachside Nha Trang ...coming up!

01.01.2022 FRANKOS train about to leave Saigon ...the girls say farewell! We are on the way to the beach at Nha Trang for a bit of R & R.