Narrow and long, Vietnam covers the eastern coast of the Indochina Peninsula up to the 3,444-kilometer coastline along the South China Sea. Vietnam is full of gorgeous beaches, lush jungles and bustling cities with a wide range of activities and places to visit that make it an ideal travel destination. The fastest way to get from one city to another is usually by plane, but flying also has its downsides. This is an expensive option that does not allow you to enjoy the beauty of this fantastic country. Also, if you add waiting and transportation time, you won’t save much time either. For these and other reasons, train travel in Vietnam is highly recommended.
Ho Chi Minh Railway Junction © Quang nguyen vinh / Shutterstock.com
Is it safe to travel by train in Vietnam?
Trains, tracks and railway stations are operated by the state-owned company Vietnam Railways. Although the rail system is a bit outdated, the train is still a safe and reliable means of transport for traveling around Vietnam. In addition, it is usually comfortable and relaxing. They are usually air conditioned and most of the roads run along the coast, giving travelers great views of cities across the country, something you would surely miss on an airplane. Traveling by train in Vietnam also allows you to experience the local culture as you will be traveling with Vietnamese people to spend some quality time with.
Although the railway system is owned by the government and operated by a state-owned company, some private companies may operate luxury carriages that connect to state-owned trains. So while it’s still a government train, there may be some more luxurious carriages attached to it, which is a good option if you’re looking for more comfort. We will provide more details on these wagons a bit later.
If you’re wondering if your belongings will be safe while traveling by train in Vietnam, we can only say yes, as theft is rare. Some travelers, for added security, lock their luggage with a padlock and place it next to the seat to always have it under control.
Where to buy train tickets in Vietnam
There are several options available when buying a train ticket in Vietnam. You can go directly to the station or buy them online from Vietnam Railways, but this option can cause some problems. First of all, we do not recommend buying directly at the station if you are going on a multi-day trip. Not all trains fill up, so you may find a free seat, but it may not be what you’re looking for. During holiday periods, especially Tet in late January or early February, you will need to purchase in advance as trains fill up weeks before departure. During this time, tickets start selling in November, while pre-purchase is generally allowed 30-60 days in advance.
Vietnam Railways has a website through which you can make reservations, but in some cases this causes problems when using foreign (non-Vietnamese) credit cards, so you may not be able to make a purchase on their website. If you want to book online, be aware that there are several similar sites that actually belong to travel agencies, so you need to make sure you’re on the right page, which should be www.vr.com.vn.
We recommend using 12Go. They charge a minimum service charge to cover management costs, but for a bit more you get good service. 12Go displays real-time ticket availability and can be purchased when Vietnam Railways opens bookings for each trip. In addition to selling Vietnamese railway tickets, they also have train tickets in the cars of private companies. This is a great service if you want to compare different prices and options for a particular route as you can easily compare the options available and how much each one costs.
Classes on Vietnamese trains
Soft seats on the train from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne
As mentioned earlier, all trains are operated by Vietnam Railways, but some have private carriages that offer a more luxurious travel experience. Although private wagons are quite similar, there are some differences between them. If you want to book a seat on one of these carriages, you can see all the options available on 12Go, where you can compare comfort levels and read reviews from travelers who have already used the service. Excluding private carriages, carriages operated by Vietnam Railways are generally offered with four different ticket classes: hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper and soft sleeper, and there may be an option to pay for air-conditioned carriages. As you can imagine, hard beds and seats are cheaper, so if you’re going on a long trip, we recommend opting for soft options. Also, the hard-seat carriages, which are the cheapest option, are often very crowded and can be very smoky.
Usually slow trains, known as TN, are not equipped with air conditioning, while SE trains are the most comfortable and fastest and have air conditioning.
private carriages
Sapaly on an express train between Hanoi and Lao Cai Province © Yuttana Jaowattana / Shutterstock.com
Without a doubt, if you choose to travel in a private carriage, you will have a different experience. Several companies operate on major train routes in Vietnam, including Orient Express Trians, Livitrans and Violette, and tickets for these carriages can also be booked through 12Go. Livitrans and Violette are known to be cheaper than Orient Express, so it is recommended to check the differences between each. In addition to being more comfortable, its carriages have more services on board, including a stewardess and food.
sleeper train in vietnam
Sleeper trains are quite common in Vietnam due to the long distances between cities. For example, the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh route is very popular, with express trains taking no less than 32 to 35 hours to travel. It is possible to buy only one place per trip, but we do not recommend this. It is better to choose a seat in a private carriage or a Vietnam Railways standard carriage in first or second class. This way you will have much more space, you will be more comfortable and you will be able to get some sleep on the way.
You should also consider the differences between first and second class beds. In First Class you will have a ‘soft’ bed, usually in a 4 bed compartment. If you’re traveling alone, that means you’ll be sharing the space with three strangers, but if you’re traveling with friends or family, you can request that everyone share the same compartment.
The beds in the second class are “hard” and there are six in each compartment. They have air conditioning, like first class, but there is less space. If you prefer more comfort and want to be able to move around a bit or you are taller than normal, it is better to choose a bed in first class or in a private carriage. Bed linen and pillows are included in both classes, but it may be a good idea to bring a sleeping bag or similar sleeping bag to make it more comfortable.
Sleeper trains in Vietnam are very popular and prices can vary greatly even when comparing tickets on the same train. For example, sometimes the difference between first and second class beds can only be a few euros, in which case it makes sense to choose first class. It’s also possible to find great prices on private sleeping cars, so research all options carefully before purchasing.
Traveling by train in Vietnam is a great way to get around the country and is very affordable, especially if you travel overnight on a sleeper train and save your overnight stay for the day. Since trains are more direct and usually reach the city center, it can also be said that it is a more practical option than the plane, as it avoids having to travel to the airport and then into the city. In addition, you experience an authentic cultural experience on the train that you can’t experience on a plane, and admire the beautiful landscapes along the way. Book your train ticket in Vietnam now and get ready for your next adventure.