Vietnam Train Travel 2024: Essential Local Guide & Tips

If your travel experiences have been confined to buses and airplanes, you're missing out on one of the most enchanting ways to explore the world: the train. Not only increasingly budget-friendly, but a scenic train journey can even feel like a vacation in itself. If you're planning a trip to Vietnam, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about train travel in Vietnam and will help answer all your questions.

Written by Thu Giang (Local Expert) Updated on 05-11-2024

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1. Focus on Vietnamese railways

A true colonial heritage, the Vietnamese railway system was introduced to Vietnam at the time of French domination. Construction of the North-South railway began in 1899 and took more than 30 years to complete. On October 2, 1936, the entire 1726 km Hanoi – Saigon line was officially put into service. It was and remains today the only railway line connecting Hanoi and Saigon. Unfortunately, during the war years in the 20th century, fighting against occupying foreign forces with relentless bombing by the Americans almost marked the end of the railway.

Rebuilding the crumbling network quickly became a priority after the country's reunification in 1975. The heavily damaged and war-torn North-South line was restored and returned to service in 1976. It was then renamed “Reunification Express” as a symbol of Vietnamese unity.

Vietnam train map 

The “Reunification Express” line is operated by Vietnam Railways (VNR), a Vietnamese state company. With a length of 2600 km, the Vietnam train serves almost all cities and provinces in Vietnam, including many cultural and tourist destinations from north to south. Find the train map in Vietnam here: 

>>> Learn more about: Vietnam Map & Regions: Vietnam Tourist Map

2. Why choose a Vietnam train trip?

Before traveling by train in Vietnam, it's important to note that the Vietnamese rail system is not as modern as those in some other countries. With speeds of 50 to 60 km/h, it takes over 30 hours to travel from Hanoi to Saigon.

Some lines humorously nicknamed “Vietnam TGV” stand for “Great Vibration Train” due to the narrow 1m gauge tracks dating back to the colonial period. Despite these quirks, is the Vietnam train worth trying? What contributes to its picturesque reputation?

In today's fast-paced world, speed is often prioritized, but travel sometimes calls for slowing down. Train travel in Vietnam allows you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful scenery through the window, turning the journey into a moment of relaxation rather than a stressful commute.

The true splendor of train travel in Vietnam lies in its incredible landscapes. Many railway lines cross mountains, forests, and valleys, offering breathtaking and charming panoramas. The train travels on paths inaccessible to other means of transport, providing an up-close view of Vietnam's hidden gems. Additionally, the slow speed allows you to savor the spectacular scenery and capture unforgettable moments through photos and videos during your journey.

>>> ✈️ Experience our 2-week itinerary all over Vietnam! ✈️

Despite improvements in the interprovincial bus system and domestic flights, train travel in Vietnam remains a popular and highly demanded option for many travelers. Here’s why:

1. Scenic Beauty: The train offers access to incredible landscapes, crossing mountains, forests, and valleys with breathtaking panoramas. The slow speed allows you to enjoy and capture these views through photos and videos.

2. Affordability: Train tickets are significantly cheaper than flights, often costing around half or a third of a plane ticket, depending on the route.

3. Safety: The Vietnamese railway system has been significantly rebuilt and modernized, improving safety conditions. The train’s slower speed and the fact that only one train runs on a railway line contribute to a very low accident rate.

3. The most beautiful train journeys in Vietnam

3.1 Hanoi Sapa night train

Sapa is a hill station in Lao Cai province established by the French in 1922. The line from Hanoi to Lao Cai was built by the French and opened in 1910 as part of the Vietnam-Kunming meter gauge railway. The stunning scenery and colorful local tribes of misty Sapa make it a popular stop on many visitors' itineraries. If you want to save a night on accommodation, one of the best ways to get there is to take the Hanoi Sapa night train. There are 2 sleeper trains between Hanoi and Sapa each day.

Note:

SP1 and SP2: This train offers private sleeping cars for tourists, served by companies such as Fansipan, Livitrans, Orient Express and The Pumpkin Express. 

SP3 and SP4: Much of this train consists of private sleeping cars, including Sapaly, Chapa, Laman and Victoria Express. The latter is one of the most luxurious trains on the Hanoi – Sapa route, accommodating 40 passengers with luxury cabins, bar and restaurant.

If you love trekking, check out Top 10 Best Vietnam Trekking & Hiking Tours!!

3.2 Train Hanoi Hue

The Imperial City of Hue is a captivating destination in Vietnam, known for its historical and cultural heritage, pristine beaches, stunning landscapes, and unique cuisine. Traveling from Hanoi to Hue by train takes around 14 hours, with ticket prices ranging from $36 to $80.

Five trains serve this route daily, including Vietnam Railways' night and day trains, as well as luxury tourist trains operated by companies such as Livitrans (SE3 and SE4), Laman (SE19), Lotus (SE19 and SE20), and Violette (SE1 and SE3). These luxury companies typically offer night trains from Hanoi to Hue with high-end services, ensuring a comfortable and memorable journey.

3.3 Train Saigon Nha Trang  

Being known as one of the best seaside resorts in Vietnam, the coastal city of Nha Trang is undoubtedly a must-see stop when passing through the central region. It is accessible from Saigon by a train journey of 8 to 9 hours. There are 6 trains per day on this line, which are operated by Vietnam Railways and Livitrans (SNT1 and SNT2). The ticket price varies between $30 to $40.

3.4 Trains like no other  

• Rack railway in Dalat

The romantic city of Dalat is a highlight of Vietnam train travel, featuring the country's most beautiful train station with an Art Deco architectural style, resembling Deauville train station. Dalat once boasted one of the rarest cog railways in the world, which included a third central toothed rail between the running rails. This unique design provided traction on the steep slopes between Dalat and Thap Cham (Ninh Thuan province) and prevented the train from sliding too quickly when descending.

This 84 km railway line was exceptional, as there were only two tracks of this type in the world at the time: one in Dalat and the other in Switzerland on the Jungfraujoch route. The steam locomotives used were manufactured in Switzerland and were among the most modern in the world. Exploring Dalat and its historic train station is a must for any Vietnam train travel enthusiast.

>>> If you're considering a trip to Vietnam to explore its captivating sights, we're here to provide you with Vietnam essential travel tips.

The rack railway in Dalat became obsolete after the Reunification of Vietnam in 1975, as the track was nearly destroyed during the war. The line was gradually dismantled, and its infrastructure was used to repair the heavily damaged north-south Reunification line. In 1990, the old steam locomotives were returned to Switzerland and restored for use on the Furka rack railway in the Alps.

Today, a small section of the rack railway and a steam locomotive are on display at Dalat Station. From there, a 7 km line connecting Dalat to Trai Mat, with regular track, is available for tourists, preserving a piece of Vietnam train history.

Luxury train “Indochina” Danang – Quy Nhon

Welcoming passengers from July 1 ^, 2020 , the new The Vietage train line connecting Danang Station and Dieu Tri Station (Quy Nhon) is remarkable because of its interior decoration whose design is not without recall the context of old Indochinese films. The cabin is decorated with wooden floors, combined with traditional yellow rattan seats.

The Vietage train departs from Danang Station every morning for a 6-hour journey to Quy Nhon and returns to Danang every evening. Designed for maximum passenger comfort and privacy, in addition to 12 seats, Vietage also offers a range of services such as restaurants, bars and relaxing massages.

4. How to choose your seat on a train in Vietnam?

Vietnam train tickets come in four main categories, each offering different levels of comfort and price:

1. Hard Seat: Cheapest and least comfortable, mainly used for day trips.

2. Soft Seat: More comfortable and more expensive than hard seats mainly used for day trips.

3. Hard Berth: Used for night trains with 3 levels of beds (six per compartment); prices vary depending on the berth level (upper berths are the cheapest) and compartments do not have doors.

4. Soft Sleeper: Used for night trains, 2 levels of beds (four per compartment), and all bunk beds are charged the same rate.

Several private companies, such as Victoria Express, Orient Express, Livitrans, Violette, and Laman, rent compartments from Vietnam Railways, upgrade them, and provide additional services to resell tickets to tourists. These companies offer private sleeping cars with superior quality berths and private compartments with two soft berths. The Vietnam sleeper train features air conditioning, clean beds, free mineral water, snacks (in some cases), and clean Western-style toilets, ensuring a comfortable journey for tourists.

>>> Looking for an unforgettable adventure in the north of Vietnam? Check out our Top 8 Best North Vietnam Tours!

5. How to book your train ticket?

To buy a train ticket online, visit the official Vietnam Railways website: dsvn.vn. Select your desired train and carriage class from the search results and proceed to purchase. Note that you may need a Vietnamese cell phone number with a country code, and non-Vietnamese credit cards are typically not accepted.

If this process seems too complex, you can easily buy Vietnam train tickets directly at the station upon arrival. However, trains are often busy, especially during rush hours and holidays like Tet. Therefore, it is recommended to book your ticket a few days in advance.

Alternatively, you can travel with a local travel agency in Vietnam providing private tours who will take care of your reservations and transfers to and from the station.

There you have it, you have a general overview of Vietnam rail transport, we hope that this practical information will help you in organizing your future Vietnam train trip, which will prove to be unusual and unforgettable.

6. Top Vietnam Scenic Railway Routes

6.1 Hai Phong to Hanoi

• Highlights: Panoramic views of the Red River, picturesque rice fields, Long Bien Bridge.
• Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes.

6.2 Da Nang to Hue

• Highlights: Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Bay, Bach Ma National Park, Hue’s Imperial City.
• Duration: 4 hours.

6.3 Da Lat to Trai Mat

• Highlights: Cherry blossoms in spring, flower fields, Linh Phước Pagoda.
• Duration: Short route.

6.4 Saigon to Binh Thuan

• Highlights: Dragon fruit gardens, Ke Ga Lighthouse, Ta Cu Pagoda, Po Sah Inu Towers.
• Duration: 4 hours.

6.5 Sapa to Fansipan

• Highlights: Lush alpine meadows, Hoang Lien Son mountains, Muong Hoa valley, Fansipan peak.
• Duration: 4 minutes (train), 15 minutes (cable car).

6.6 Da Nang to Dong Hoi

• Highlights: Da Nang Bay, Son Tra peninsula, Tam Giang Lagoon, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.
• Duration: 6 hours.

6.7 Da Nang to Quy Nhon

• Highlights: South Central Coast, luxury amenities on The Vietage train, Eo Gio and Hon Kho beaches.
• Duration: 6 hours.

6.8 Saigon to Nha Trang

• Highlights: Nha Trang Bay, beaches, Po Nagar Cham temple.
• Duration: 8 hours.

Sources: dsvn.vn, momo.vn

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