The Railways in Vietnam

Vietnam has 5 railway lines: Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City (Thong Nhat); Hanoi-Hai Phong; Hanoi-Thai Nguyen; Hanoi-Lang Son and Hanoi-Lao Cai.

++  In Hanoi 

- Hanoi-Vinh: via Phu Ly, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Vinh. Hanoi Railway Station, 120 Le Duan, Tel. 9423697/9423949

- Thong Nhat (Reunification) Express Train (Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City) runs through many tourism centers such as Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Vinh, Hue, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City. You should buy ticket two or three days in advance (paid in Vietnamese dongs only). Journeys: 29 hours, 30 hours, 33 hours. Soft seats; 4-6 beds/room with or without air-conditioners. Hanoi Railway Station, 120 Le Duan, Tel. 9423697/9423949.

- Hanoi to other provinces: Haiphong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Halong. Tickets bought at 120 Le Duan. Check-in and out at the Hanoi Station B, Tran Quy Cap Road. For the routes to Haiphong, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, also check-in and out at Long Bien Station.

- Hanoi-Beijing International Train via Dong Dang (Lang Son): twice a week on Tuesday and Friday. For the group of 6 people and above, leaving at the same station, ticket price will be reduced by 25%. Hanoi Railway Station, 120 Le Duan, Tel. 9423697/9423949

 
++ In Ho Chi Minh City 

- Thong Nhat Train: via Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Da Nang, Hue, Vinh, Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh and Hanoi. Saigon Railway Station, 1 Nguyen Thong, Tel. 8436528/8466091

++ Vietnam Reunification Express Trains

The country’s main line shadows Highway 1 on its way from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, passing through Nha Trang, Da Nang and Hué en route. From Hanoi, three branch lines strike out towards the northern coast and into its hinterland. One line traces the Red River northwest to Lao Cai, site of a border crossing into China’s Yunnan Province. Another runs north to Dong Dang, and is the route taken by the trains from Hanoi to Beijing. The third branch, a shorter spur, links the capital with Haiphong. All that remains of the Phan Rang– Da Lat branch line that once linked the central highlands with the southern coast is a truncated tourist excursion service that runs six times a day from Da Lat to Trai Met, a few kilometres down the line.

Six Reunification Express services depart daily from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh and vice versa, a journey that takes somewhere between thirty and forty hours: these trains are labelled SE1, SE2, E1, E2, S1, S2 and TN1 to TN6; odd-numbered trains travel south, even ones north, hence the SE2 (30hr), E2 (30hr), S2 (34hr), TN2 (40hr), TN4 (40hr) and TN6 (37hr) depart daily from Ho Chi Minh City, while the SE1, E1, S1 and TN1, TN3 and TN5 (same times) make the trip in the opposite direction.

On the northern lines, three trains per day make the run from Hanoi to Haiphong (2–3hr) and two to Dong Dang (6hr). There are also three night trains (7–8hr) and a day service (9hr) to Lao Cai.

Note that departure times change regularly – current times are displayed in stations and on the tickets themselves – and that trains generally leave pretty much on schedule. You’ll also find timetables on the Vietnam Railway’s website, though it’s always wise to double-check at the station.

When it comes to choosing which class to travel in, it’s essential to aim high. At the bottom of the scale is a hard seat, which is just as it sounds, though bearable for shorter journeys; soft seats offer slightly more comfort, but are still fairly grim for long hauls. On overnight journeys, you’d be well advised to invest in a berth of some description. Hard-berthsoft-berth compartments, containing only four bunks, offer more sleeping space. compartments have six bunks, three either side – with the cramped top ones being the cheapest, and the bottom ones (under which there’s handy storage space) the priciest. Roomier

All Reunification Express trains now have air-conditioning. The fastest services (SE1/2, E1/2 and S1/2) also have reclining soft seats, while SE1/2 trains boast a restaurant car. Similarly, the overnight Lao Cai trains have also been upgraded, with air-conditioned soft-sleeper berths. Carriages on these trains are rented and kitted out by different companies and some are extremely plush. The "Victoria Express" carriages, which run four times a week to Lao Cai, are by far the most opulent with their Orient-Express style decor, though they’re generally reserved for guests of the Victoria Resort in Sa Pa. All trains are non-smoking.

Simple meals are included in the price of the ticket, but you might want to stock up with goodies of your own. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to buy snacks when the train pulls into stations – and from carts that ply the aisles.

Travel Guides in 67cities and Provinces of Vietnam:

Hanoi|Hochiminh(Saigon)|Halong|Hue|Hoian|Haiphong|Catba|Hoabinh|Caobang|laocai|Maichau|
Sapa|Sonla|Dienbienphu|Thainguyen|Phutho|Babe-Backan|Hagiang|langson|Bacninh|Hatay|
Haiduong|NinhBinh|Thaibinh|Quangninh|DongHoi|QuangBinh|Quangtri|Phuyen|Phutho|Thanhhoa|
Nghean|Hatinh|Danang|Taynguyen|Kontum|Gialai|Daknong|Daklak|Dalat|BinhDinh|Nhatrang|
PhanThiet|Muine|Vungtau|KienGiang|Phuquoc|Tayninh|Vinhlong|Travinh|Dongthap|Tiengiang|
Angiang|Cantho|Bentre|Camau|