Trains in Vietnam
I am going to Vietnam in August and was wondering does anyone have experience with the train system? There will be four of us so we are thinking soft cabins as they appear to be four berth.
Is it best to prebook the tickets and if so which company/website is safe to do so?
Is it best to bring food/drink on board with you?
Is there much problem with theft?
We have three train journeys to do first from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang then from there to Da Nang and finally on to Hue.
Best Answer
I can't answer the pre-booking question, but food and drink isn't an issue - it's purchasable in most big train stations as people make a living out of selling anything you might need. If you are reticent about buying from street stalls or if you want specific food or drink (selection can be limited), then bring your own.
We didn't encounter any problems with theft but we had our own four person cabin. It may be different if staying in a generally accessible area, in which case you should talk normal precautions for travelling in a communal area while sleeping assuming you're travelling overnight. If you're not travelling overnight, theft isn't more of a worry than anywhere else in Vietnam.
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Are trains good in Vietnam?
The comfort. While seats on an airplane can be cramped, or the road can be bumpy if you travel by car or bus, rail travel is a better alternative. Vietnam train travel offers a comfortable experience with space to stretch out and get cozy. You can also get up and walk around if you feel bored or sitting too long.Does Vietnam have a train system?
Vietnam Railways (\u0110\u01b0\u1eddng s\u1eaft Vi\u1ec7t Nam) is the state-owned operator of the railway system in Vietnam. The principal route is the 1,600 km (990 mi) single-track North\u2013South Railway line, running between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.What is train travel like in Vietnam?
Vietnam has a very extensive and good rail network from Ho Chi Minh City (South) to Lao Cai, the station for visiting Sapa in the north of Vietnam. Traveling by train through Vietnam is a lot easier than taking the bus. Although it can be slower than by bus, you have much more space and it is safer.How long is the train ride from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh?
1 Hanoi (Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) Travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City by overnight train. The journey time is 32 to 37 hours. Train ticket fares start from 25 EUR. There are up to 6 train connections daily.Hanoi Train street (Close-up Train View) - 🇻🇳 Vietnam - 4K Walking Tour
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Answer 2
In answer to the pre-booking bit of the question (and specifically ticket delivery) - DSVN now offer e-tickets, which can be printed out, and probably even shown on a mobile screen, although I didn't risk the latter.
With that in mind, it's probably best to prebook tickets if you can, it guarantees you a seat on the train you want to be on. If you're travelling around a holiday, prebook as far in advance as you can.
You've two, possibly three, recommended options for ticket purchase from Seat61.com - it's worth checking for updates there too.
First - the possible option:
- DSVN - the official Vietnam Railways site. The English translation is good, but they don't always seem to accept international credit cards. On the upside, you get to pick a specific seat and view live availability, something that I've struggled to see sometimes on Baolau. When it does work you'll get e-tickets, or perhaps the option to pick up tickets from a machine at the station.
And the definite ones:
- BaoLau - they're a year or two old now. They definitely accept international credit cards. And they definitely do e-tickets. They'll charge a small markup.
- Vietnam Impressive - a more traditional travel agency, they may well charge a bigger markup. I've no idea whether they do e-tickets.
I've had success with getting tickets from all three, but I've had significant delays in getting a reply from both of the agencies when I've been looking for tickets that are harder to find (soft sleeper on a short overnight journey - I managed to get them by booking on DSVN at exactly the right time).
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Images: Javon Swaby, Tony Pham, Phương Nguyễn, Dương Nguyễn