Vietnam's most beautiful train journey from Hanoi to Dong Hoi
Vietnam - a country whose name conjures up images of emerald green rice paddies, dramatic limestone cliffs and an endless coastline. There are many ways to explore this beauty, but none is as romantic and intense as travelling by rail. As the landscape passes by the window like a living painting, the true character of the country unfolds. Among Vietnam's many railway lines, there is one that is always a contender for the title of "most beautiful train journey": the night-time journey from the vibrant capital of Hanoi to the coastal town of Dong Hoi.
A screen outside the window: why this route is so special
What makes this journey so breathtaking? It's the transition between worlds that you experience up close. The journey begins in the evening in Hanoi, where the lights of the metropolis slowly fade into the darkness. While you sleep, the train carries you southwards through the heart of Vietnam. The real spectacle begins at dusk.
When the first rays of the morning sun colour the sky, one of Asia's most spectacular landscapes comes to life. The train winds its way past:
Endless rice fields: Watch farmers tilling the fields with their water buffaloes - a timeless image of rural idyll.
Picturesque villages: Catch a glimpse of the everyday lives of the people whose houses nestle against the railway tracks.
Breathtaking coastline: Parts of the railway line run parallel to the South China Sea and offer unforgettable views of the glittering water and secluded beaches.
Many international tourists, inspired by reports that this route is one of the most beautiful in the world, are not disappointed. Waking up to these panoramas is an experience that will live long in the memory.
Enjoy the beauty in comfort: The amenities of the JQB1
To fully savour such a picturesque journey, the comfort must also be right. This is exactly where the modern night train with the JQB1 (and JQB2 for the return journey). Instead of just glimpsing the beauty, the amenities allow for a relaxed and intense experience. The clean sleeping car compartments with comfortable beds and their own small televisions become a private viewing lounge. The seating carriages, with their 360-degree swivelling seats, also offer every passenger a window seat. Thanks to air conditioning, WLAN and modern, clean toilets, the journey itself becomes a relaxing part of the holiday. Comfort is not an end in itself here, but the key to being able to enjoy the passing beauty in a relaxed manner and with all your senses.
Practical information for your dream holiday
Planning is very simple. To experience this special, high-quality journey, you need to search specifically for the train numbers JQB1 and JQB2 search.
From Hanoi to Dong Hoi: Select the train JQB1. It leaves Hanoi at around 20:05 and arrives in Dong Hoi between 06:10 and 07:00 the next morning, just in time for sunrise over central Vietnam.
From Dong Hoi to Hanoi: The withdrawal bears the number JQB2. It departs from Dong Hoi at around 15:20.
The prices are very fair. A seat costs an average of 620,000 VND (approx. 22 euros), while a bed in a sleeper compartment is available for an average of 1,135,000 VND (approx. 40 euros).
The gateway to adventure: arrival in Dong Hoi
The journey ends in Dong Hoi, the perfect starting point for further adventures. The city is the gateway to the famous Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to some of the largest and most spectacular caves in the world.
So if you are looking for the real, unadulterated Vietnam and want to experience a journey that not only takes you from A to B, but is itself the highlight, then this train journey is the answer. It is without doubt one of the most beautiful journeys you can take in Vietnam.
