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Travelling Around Vietnam By Train
Vietnam's air-conditioned trains are the popular, convenient and safe way for independent travellers to get through Vietnam.
An ideal for a real insight into Vietnam when you travel by train, both urban and rural rice fields, palm trees, water buffalo, Vietnamese towns and authentic villages.
The easiest way to get a ticket is book it online. It's easy to buy train tickets at the station when you get to Vietnam.
Howevers, the train in Vietnam is quite slow, only run 40 km/h which takes about 8 hours to travel from Hanoi to Lao Cai ~ 300km
You can see from the Vietnam Railway Map beside, routes are very simple. The line from north to south connects Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and some other lines in the northern part of Vietnam.
There are 4 different types of carriages:
1st Class Sleeper - Cabin with 4 soft beds
Most visitors choose soft sleeper if the journey involves overnight travel. Soft sleeper is a safe, pleasant and enjoyable way to go, especially on the best trains.
2nd Class Sleeper AC - Cabin with 6 hard beds
Hard sleeper compartments have 6 berths, lower, middle and top on each side. Best choice for traveller to have a good sleep.
2nd Class AC Seats Only - Soft seats
These can be recommended for few hours daytime journeys.
The wooden seat - Hard seats
Wooden seats in much older cars without air-condition. However, these cabin have windows that open, which can be an advantage for photograph.
The Reunification Train Routes
Hanoi - Dong Hoi - Hue - Da Nang - Nha Trang - Saigon
The popular routes in the north:
Hanoi - Lao Cai (bus to Sapa or you can rent a bike to explore Ha Giang Northern Loop)
Hanoi - Ninh Binh
Hanoi - Hue
Ninh Binh - Hue
Da Nang - Hanoi
Saigon - Phan Thiet (bus to Mui Ne)
How to book a train ticket in Vietnam and where can I find train schedules?
Please note that: most routes on Vietnam Railways open 30 days before departure except long routes like Hanoi-Saigon will open 60 days in advance.
Buy your train ticket direct from train station:
Saigon Train Station: No. 1, Nguyen Thong Str, Ward 9, Dist 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
Hanoi Train Station: No. 120 Le Duan Str, Van Mieu Ward, Hoan Kiem Dist, Ha Noi.
Da Nang Train Station: 791 Hai Phong, Tam Thuan, Thanh Khe, Da Nang.
Search for your nearby travel agencies.
Purchase ticket online and check out train schedules.
12go.asia or VietnamRailway
Is there an open ticket, ticket pass that allow me to get on and off the train in Vietnam?
No, you have to buy it separately
Am I allowed to carry luggage and motorbike/bicycle with me on the train?
Yes, you are.
You can carry your luggage and keep it above you or on special racks or underneath your seat.
Motorbike/bicycle can be carried on Vietnam Trains, you have to pay extra for this service.
What to take note when travelling to Vietnam by train?
You have to be at the train station 30 minutes before departure.
Normally, you can purchase a ticket straight away on your travel date, but trains get fully booked on public holiday and new year eve, so it’s better to buy your ticket in advance to make sure you will be travel on date.
Prepare your own food because trains don't stop very long and there are not much food on train. However, trains have kitchen carbin too.
Is it better to take a night train or sleeper bus?
For safety reasons, I would prefer to go on a night train.
