BY TRAIN THROUGH VIETNAM
Mit der Bahn durch Vietnam – By Vietnam Railway Map.svg, Vietnam_map.svg: Mouagipderivative work: Dragfyrederivative work: Dragfyre – Vietnam Railway Map.svgRailway data based on CADer’s detailed railway map, which is based on data from Vietnam Railways, official road maps (Bản đồ Giao thông Việt Nam) and Google Maps., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14732619
The train is one of the most popular transportation in Vietnam. If you're planning a trip by train through Vietnam, here are some helpful tips for you: which train classes are there, how to eat in the trains and on the train stations, where you can find timetables and online train tickets for Vietnam and where to find the most scenic rail routes. During a trip through Vietnam you should definitely take part of the tour with the train. There you get a good Insight into Vietnamese life, Most towns along the coast and Sa Pa in the north are easily accessible by train.
Quality differences and timetables
There are quality and price differences with the Vietnamese railway depending on the train number. The trains between Hanoi and Saigon starting with "SE" are the fastest on the way and equipped with the highest quality.
The train classes in Vietnam
In Vietnam there are four classes:
- Hard-Seater (wooden benches)
- Soft-Seater (padded seats)
- Hard-Sleeper (similar to a couchette car)
- Soft-Sleeper
For the Hard-Seater compartments you get the cheapest tickets. The seats, however, are not really comfortable. On the wooden benches, part of the train journey can be spent in an adventurous way, but for longer distances it is clearly too uncomfortable. The windows can be opened, but are barred for safety reasons. Fans provide cooling. Also, the cheap Hard-Seater seats are not offered on all trains.
Soft-Seater seats are upholstered seats and in air-conditioned compartments, where you can travel well even for longer distances. Windows can not be opened in the Soft-Seater compartment because of the air conditioning.
Hard Sleeper compartments are similar to a couchette car. In each compartment that can be locked, there are 6 beds. The lowest are the most expensive places. The further up the sunbed is, the cheaper the sleeping place. It is important to know that the highest mooring also offers the least space.
Four passengers share a compartment in the Soft Sleeper Wagon. The compartment can be locked and offers a bit more comfort than the Hard Sleeper Wagon. Again, the upper berths are cheaper.
Eating on the train
Food, snacks and drinks are bought directly in the compartment. In the dining car, the selection is larger. Menus for lunch and dinner can be pre-ordered on many trains at the conductor. Every few hours, the train stops at a station for a long time. There, numerous food stands provide the passengers.
The most beautiful train route in Vietnam
On the railway line Hanoi - Saigon is the most beautiful stretch between Hue and Da Nang. The train slowly drives along the coast over the (Hai Van Pass) cloud pass. You should not miss the city-exit and the life on the tracks in Hanoi.
Train delays in Vietnam
If everything runs smoothly, the railway will be on time. Vietnam is repeatedly hit by heavy storms, especially in the rainy season. Heavy rains or a cyclone will affect the timetable. Hours of delay or train cancellations due to flooded or squashed tracks are not uncommon.
If you want to travel by train during the rainy season, you should take this into account.
Buy train tickets for Vietnam online or at the counter
It is ideal to buy the train tickets in Vietnam a few days before the trip at the station. Unfortunately the tickets are often sold out on the day of travel. For travelers on a tight schedule, buying a train ticket on the Internet is popular. Two reliable online train ticket providers in Vietnam, with whom I have had very good travel experience in Southeast Asia so far 12Go Asia and Baolau. There you can book a train ticket for the train through Vietnam online. Please note that online booking may not offer all train classes or trains.
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