Explore Vietnam:Best Vietnam Trains and Routes

Explore Vietnam:Best Vietnam Trains and Routes

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One of the best ways to explore Vietnam is by train. After all, this is the perfect way to explore the country and meet its people and become aware of the local culture. You get excellent views from the train of the Vietnamese towns and villages. The most magical routes run along the South China Sea, and take you through the jungle-covered cliffs and beaches and islands, and the lush green mountains.  Citizens from most countries are eligible to get a Vietnam Visa on Arrival.

Get a real insight into both urban and rural Vietnam when you travel by train.  Some of the popular routes include Hanoi to Hué, Hanoi to Haiphong, Hanoi to Lao Cai, or Hanoi to Sapa train routes.

The Vietnam Railways
The Vietnam Railways is a very dependable system, and one should be aware of the different classes and private carriages on these trains. Always go for the trains marked as SE as these are the fastest. Avoid the TN as those are slower and older. The classes include the hard seat, soft seat, soft sleeper, and hard sleeper with air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned options. Some SE trains even have wi-fi now. Avoid the hard-seat class, which is usually packed and overcrowded. Private carriages are preferred by travelers as these are more offer a classy way of traveling and are luxurious. Sleepers trains carry three tiers of beds, and the Soft sleeper trains carry two tiers. Golden Trains sleeping-car is undoubtedly a luxury when compared to regular Vietnamese railways. The prices of the tickets can vary depending on the train, and typically, the fastest trains are the most expensive.

The Popular Train Routes
Different rail-spur lines and central lines link Hanoi with the other parts of Vietnam. You can travel by train to the east towards the city of Haiphong or go to Lang Son in the northeast and travel across the border to Nanning. While most of the train routes in Vietnam are scenic, the most popular among the tourist include Hanoi to Sapa, Danang to Dong Hoi, Dong Hoi to Hanoi, and Hanoi to Hai Phong. Get aboard on any train along those routes if you want to travel only for sightseeing reasons. You can take pictures and are sure to come across some captivating sights along the route. The train route will take you through rice fields with visages and churches in the distance, and then go through a lush green forest before moving along the coast. Another amazing train ride is from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. The Reunification Express train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City covers the most scenic part by far. You can enjoy watching the fishermen cast their nets and later the route curves around the coast after going past the white beaches and lush rainforest.

 Today, there are more than 1000 miles of railway lines that run across the whole country. The air-conditioned sleeper trains are one of the best for long-distance train journeys in Vietnam. Enjoy breakfast in the dining car, which is usually pot noodles in broth and served with instant black coffee.

 Vietnamese trains are very safe to travel, but one should keep an eye on their belongings. One can use the Vietnam Railways bookings site or a dependable transportation booking service for making reservations. Get complete information on fares and schedules in advance so as to make well-informed choices. You can also buy tickets at the station and expect to find crowded platforms as Vietnamese trains are busy. It is best to make reservations beforehand to avoid those long queues at the platforms. Check out the trains & classes are available on the routes you are interested in and book the seats.