Travel Guide

There are many wonderful reasons why train travel in countries you’re visiting for the first time is so great, and travelling by train in Vietnam is no different. Some of the more obvious reasons include seeing the countryside that you would otherwise have missed from the air. It’s usually much cheaper than flying, and if seeing the countryside doesn’t mean that much to you, if you get your timings right you can take an overnight train and save on the cost of a hotel.

 

Reunification Railway

 

Routes
 

Vietnam's train system serves a large swathe of the country - only the Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta are left out. 

 

1. Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City

 

This is the northern – southern route and often called Reunification Express. There are over 100 station located on the route, belonging to well-known tourist destinations: Hanoi, Vinh (Nghe An), Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), Dong Ha (Quang Tri), Hue, Da Nang (near Hoi An), Quang Ngai, Dieu Tri (near Quy Nhon), Nha Trang, Thap Cham, Muong Man (near Mui Ne, Phan Thiet) and Ho Chi Minh City.

 

2. Hanoi - Lao Cai
 

From Lao Cai train station, you will use the car to Sapa - one of the most beautiful destinations in Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam has built highways Hanoi - Lao Cai to save travel time. However train is safer and more comfortable. You will go from Hanoi at 9pm and arrive to Lao Cai around 5am. A good night's sleep on the train will get you healthy enough for the trekking trip in Sapa which may reach to 15 KM/day. Some common brands for foreigners are: Victoria, Sapaly, Livitran, King Express and Orient Express. Basically, the design of the carriages is similar but there is a service disparity so we can make sure that the prices will be different. Plus, you can only book Victoria train if you also make a reservation with Victoria Sapa hotel.

 

Vietnam Local Train

 

Classes on the train
 

1. Hard seat:
 

This means that you will sit on the wooden chair and 1 chair is for 2 people. This is the cheapest class. If you take the short distances and want to maximum cost savings, this is the best choice.

 

2. Soft seat:
 

It will be your own seat, more comfortable than hard seat for day trips. You can choose this class if travelling to Sapa, but the fact is, you can not have one good night's sleep while sitting, even the leg up is not easy at all.

 

3. Hard berth:
 

Unlike the hard seat, exactly as you would lie in a bunk bed, which made of iron with one thin mattress. There is 6 berths in one cabin, and the fare will depend on the floor you choose: The most expensive price to the bottom floor, then to the middle floor and lowest rate for the top floor.

 

4. Soft berth:
 

It is most comfortable class for tourists. Only 4 berth in 1 cabin, or 2 berth even if you have a special request for an additional cost. All berths are mark with the same price.

 

Soft-bed train cabin

 

How to book a train ticket?
 

You can go directly to the station to buy tickets or book through agents, hotel ... Now all foreign visitors must provide passport information for booking. You should come directly to the ticket counte located at the station r and never buy tickets of the vendors. If you book online, you need to give the passport detail when reconfirm the ticket before your departure time.

 

The best time to book your train ticket is 2 months before your departure, especially if you want to go on holiday of Vietnamese. You will not be able to know when tickets were sold out because a lot of people would use the local train on that day, to travel or simply to go home. There is no price discrimination between foreigners and local people.

 

Da Nang Train Station

 

The travel time for the popular routes
 

- Hanoi to Sapa: 8-9 hours

 

- Hanoi to Vinh 5-7 hours

 

- Vinh to Dong Hoi 3.5-5 hours

 

- Dong Hoi to Dong Ha 2-3 hours

 

- Dong Ha to Hue 1-2 hours

 

- Hue to Da Nang 3-4 hours

 

- Da Nang to Nha Trang 10-12 hours

 

- Nha Trang to Muong Man 4-7 hours

 

- Muong Man to Saigon 3.5-4.5 hours

 

Some notes necessary for you when take the train
 

- Never move your cabin while you still leave important items there. Take all valuables with you and do not let others know what you have. Thefts or pickpockets on trains are entirely possible.

 

- Close the cabin door (if any) during sleep.

 

- Do not put important items next to the window when train stopped. Someone could reach in and take away your items. Until you are out of the train, that person has gone so far.

 

- Tie the bags together

 

 - Do not drink alcoholic beverages to avoid losing control or distraction

 

As many a traveler will tell you, taking an overnight train in Asia is quite an adventure. Depending on how long it is and which route you take, the ride will take you through traditional villages, farms or mountain scenery. The country offers some fantastic views to wake up to which easily make up for the minor delays. Southern makes an interesting contrast with its northern counterpart, but whether it's Hanoi or Saigon that delights you more, there's no better way between them than a ride on the Reunification Railway.