Catch the Slow Train to Hanoi

Q: I would like to take a train from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, with the option of stopping along the way for sightseeing. If there is such a service, could you give me information on booking, prices and a recommended itinerary. - Bert Isaacs

A: The train service from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is known as the Reunification Express. Covering 1726kms, the entire trip takes 30-42 hours. There are four trains every day on this route. However, you can break up the journey at any of the major stops along the way, which allows you to cover the main tourist destinations in the country. The carriages on the train are basic, with different standards of carriage available. These range from hard seats to soft-cushioned sleeping berths. It is best to go for an air-conditioned four-berth sleeper comparments. Bathroom facilities are located at the end of each carriage. Tickets for the journey are very affordable, ranging from 60-100 US dollars when bought in advance through an agency. Each sleeping berth is supplied with a pillow, sheet and duvet and there is an individual reading light. Snacks and drinks are available from a trolley service and you can buy a meal ticket for around 35,000 Vietnamese dong (that's around R12) . The set meal, along with a bottle of mineral water, will be delivered to your compartment later. Judging from other traveller's reports, I recommend you consider consider stopping off at three stations on the route - Nha Trang, Da Nang and Hué. This will give you access to some great beach resorts as well as the historic riverfront town of Hoi An. If you have time, allow for a day or two at each of these destinations. You can get further information and make reservations on the www.vietnam-trains.com and www.vietnamimpressive.com websites. If you prefer a more luxurious ride, you can travel for part of your journey in privately-run Livitrans carriages. These sleeping cars are attached to the Vietnam Railways trains, but their four-berth compartments are of a higher standard. However, this service only runs between Hanoi and Danang. The rate is around 59 US dollars one-way. See www.livitrans.com for fares and online booking. Another luxury option is the shorter journey from Hanoi to the spectacular hillside town of Sapa. A number of operators, including the Orient Express, run luxury carriages on this train. Find out more on the www.seat61.com website, You'll also find some interesting general tips about train travel in Vietnam (such as whether it is advisable to book an entire four-berth cabin for yourself to ensure privacy). (26/2/12)