Never been to Vietnam?
Buckle up, because we’re about to take you on a journey through Vietnam like you’ve never seen before. Today, we’re sharing five train rides that will have you searching for flights quicker than you can say ‘what’s the phone number for Flight Centre?’
So, grab your ticket, fasten your straps, and let’s explore Vietnam’s most unusual railway adventures.
1. Dalat to Trai Mat: Riding the ‘Terminator’ of Trains
Jump in for a journey aboard the ‘Crémaillère’, a train with a teeth-like mechanism for gripping the rails. This metal beast chugs through Dalat’s foggy forests like a locomotive version of the Terminator. In Trai Mat, you’ll be greeted by the bizarre Linh Phuoc Pagoda, a glass-and-pottery mosaic wonderland. The pagoda’s pièce de résistance? A 49-metre-long dragon made of 12,000 beer bottles.
2. Hue to Danang: A Roller Coaster of a Railway*
The Hue to Danang route – part of the Hanoi to Saigon line – is a rail junkie’s dream. With 21 tunnels and countless twists and turns, it’s like a slow-motion roller coaster that hugs the coast. As you hold on to your seat, catch glimpses of the South China Sea between the vertigo-inducing hairpin bends. Pro tip: The left side of the train is the ‘front row’ of this experience.
*Included in our Vietnam Rail Adventure(opens in a new tab) in December 2023.
3. Hanoi to Lao Cai: The Train That Delivers You to the Clouds
Board the Hanoi-Lao Cai train for an overnight journey that ends in the misty heights of Sapa. You might not see it coming, but when you wake up, you’ll find yourself surrounded by clouds! The local Hmong people, known for their multi-coloured clothing and silver jewelry, will make you rethink your fashion choices. They’re really friendly and will gladly share their local knowledge.
4. Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi: Where Trains and History Collide*
The Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi rail leg of the Reunification Express takes you down the Ho Chi Minh trail, Vietnam’s very own time machine. This route was used to transport supplies during the Vietnam War, but today, it’s your ticket to the stunning landscapes of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Keep an eye out for the jaw-dropping karst formations as they rise up to greet you like ancient skyscrapers.
This is an overnight journey and a perfect introduction to Vietnam’s sleeper trains.
*Included in our Vietnam Rail Adventure(opens in a new tab) in December 2023.
5. Da Nang to Quy Nhon with Vietage: When Trains Turn Fancy
The Da Nang to Quy Nhon train journey on the Vietage is the kind of experience that makes you feel like you’ve accidentally wandered into a five-star hotel on wheels.
Named one of the 6 best experiences in Asia(opens in a new tab), you’ll feel more like you’re at a posh dinner party than on a train. The best part?
We’ve booked it exclusively for our rail trip in December 2023(opens in a new tab).
The ocean views remind you that you’re not just imbibing life’s pleasures, but also cruising through some of Vietnam’s most heart-stopping landscapes.
Bonus: Train Street, Hanoi: The Street with a Split Personality
Hanoi’s Train Street is a lesson in adaptability. One moment, it’s a lively, narrow street where people gossip and sip coffee, and the next, it transforms into a runway for trains. The residents barely bat an eyelid as the locomotive trundles past their front doors. It’s the ultimate lesson in coexistence and proof that life, much like train tracks, can take us in unexpected directions.
Unfortunately, due to safety issues the line has been closed to visiting tourists… and then open again… before closing once more. However, this only impacts those looking to watch the train whoosh past – as the train does operate still, and you can ride it – which is what our guests will be doing in December 2023.