The train at Phan Thiet station
WHY TRAIN IS THE BEST TO GO…
If you’re planning to travel during peak tourist times or public holidays or have fixed travel dates. Let us book tickets for you. So it is convenient for you to save time & money.
Vietnam’s air-conditioned trains are the ideal way for independent travellers to get around Vietnam. You might even meet some Vietnamese people. Inexperienced travellers sometimes think they’ll save time by using internal flights, but an overnight train ride from Hanoi to Hue or Danang actually saves time over flying, because the train leaves Hanoi in the evening and arrives in Hue next morning, city centre to city centre, saving a hotel bill too. But it’s more than this, the train journey is a genuine Vietnamese experience, an integral part of your trip.
Air-conditioned trains link Hanoi, Hué, Danang, Nha Trang, and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Hoi An is just 30km by bus or taxi from Danang. There are also trains from Hanoi to Haiphong (for Halong Bay) and Hanoi to Lao Cai (for Sapa).
THE VIEW FROM THE TRAIN…
Rice fields, palm trees, water buffalo, Vietnamese towns and villages… You get a real insight into Vietnam when you travel by train, both urban and rural, which you don’t get from 35,000 feet. And if you’re good at people watching you’ll get insights on board the train, too – the real Vietnam is as much inside as outside the train.
The most magical part of a Hanoi to Saigon train journey is the world-class scenic section between Hué and Danang. The train runs along the South China Sea, snaking from cliff to jungle-covered cliff past beaches and islands, then heads through the lush green mountains via the Hai Van Pass to reach Danang.
In Vietnamese it’s Đèo Hải Vân meaning ‘Ocean Cloud Pass’, and I can’t think of a better name. In the bright Vietnamese sun, the vivid blue skies, green waters and yellow beaches will take your breath away…