Vietnam Package Tours: Train Tickets & Schedules Guide

Vietnam Railway Overview

The railway system of Vietnam is 2,600 km long, linking major cities from Ho Chi Minh City (still Sai Gon on your Vietnam train tickets and when you arrive at the train station) down to Hanoi. The main line is called the Reunification Express, passing through Hue, Da Nang, and Nha Trang, and is full of great coastal scenery as well as rural scenery

• Main lines:
  • Hanoi – Hue – Da Nang – Nha Trang – Sai Gon
  • Hanoi – Lao Cai (for Sapa)
  • Saigon – Phan Thiet (for Mui Ne)
• Station note: Though officially named Ho Chi Minh City, your train tickets, station announcements, and timetables continue to use Sai Gon. Follow the lead of locals, say Sai Gon!
• Trains operating daily, ranging from SE-class (SE1-SE8), have soft seats, hard sleepers, as well as soft sleepers, all fitting for every budget and need.

Vietnam Railway (Sours: mettavoyage)

How to Book Vietnam Train Tickets Online (Best Option!)

Book Online 

Option 1: Book via 12Go.Asia – Most Convenient for International Travelers

Website: https://12go.asia

Steps:

1. Enter Your Route & Dates: “Hanoi to Hue” or “Saigon to Nha Trang”. Pick your travel date and passenger count
2. Choose Your Train & Class
   You’ll see options like:
   
   • Soft Seat
   • Hard Sleeper (6-berth)
   • Soft Sleeper (4-berth) – best for overnight travel!
   • Private Cabin (2-berth) – limited availability on SE1/SE2 with Livitrans or Violette.
     
3. Each option includes the exact departure time, train number, and train services offered.
   
4. Select Exact Berth or Seat
   You can directly select lower or upper beds from the seat map! Also, do you want to stay in your group or in a private cabin? Simply click all 4 beds in the same compartment!
   
5. Add Passenger Details & Pay
   • Enter your full name, birth date, passport number, and nationality.
   • Accept international cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). No Vietnamese bank is needed!
6. Receive Your E-Ticket Instantly

• • Sent straight to your cell phone through email.
  • No need for printingjust present your PDF or QR code on screen when you board.

 Why 12Go?

• Operates luxury trains (Violette, Golden Trains, Liv
• Transparent availability & seat layout
• Simple refunds or modifications
• Ideal for roads such as Saigon to Phan Thiet, Hanoi to Lao Cai, and further

Option 2: Book via Baolau.com – Great for All Trains Including Premium Cabins

Website: https://baolau.com

Steps:

1. Enter Route & Date just like 12Go.
2. View Full Train List, including Vietnamese railway services and private tourist cabins (Livitrans, Violette, Golden Trains).
3. Choose Cabin Type: Preferring a luxury bed for a night in Hanoi-Hue or a 2-berth VIP cabin in SE1/SE2? Click the “Soft Sleeper” → then select an individual 2-berth compartment from the seat chart!

4. Fill Passenger Info:  Similar to 12Go – all in English, takes 2 minutes!

5. Pay & Get E-Ticket
   • Accepted: Visa, Mastercard
   • Get confirmation + PDF ticket immediately
   • Display from the cell, or print out if you prefer

 Why Baolau?

• Sells ALL Vietnam train tickets
  
• Operates with private train operators
• Enables individual choice of specific berth or reservation of full compartments

Option 3: Book via DSVN.vn – Official Vietnam Railways Website (Tricky but Doable)

Website: https://dsvn.vn

Steps:

1. Click the 🇬🇧 English flag icon in the top-right corner.
2. Please enter your starting point, destination, journey date, and passenger count.
3. Browse available trains such as SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4
4. Choose your seat/berth: The visual layout assists in selecting between upper/lower, soft seat, or VIP compartments.
5. Enter your info & pay:
   Requires:
   • Other times, a Vietnamese phone number (try +84 with your number)
   • May not accept foreign cards; use only as a last resort.

 DSVN.vn Tips:

• Ideal for residents or those who prefer trying the official routes
• Prices are the same as other websites (albeit with fewer support options)
• Can be glitchy; try 12Go or Baolau in case of time constraint
  

Book Online (Sours: trustpilot)

How to Get Your Vietnam Train Tickets at the Station or via Travel Agency

Buying at the Railway Station: Ideal for Last-Minute or Local Travelers

You can purchase Vietnam train tickets directly at major railway stations like:

• Hanoi Station (Ga Ha Noi)
• Long Bien Station (for connections to Hanoi – Lao Cai)
• Saigon Station (official name still “SAI GON”!)
• Hue, Da Nang, Ninh Binh, and more

Best when:

• You are already in Vietnam and need to purchase last-minute
• You’re on an overnight trip (for example, Saigon to Phan Thiet, Hue to Da Nang).
• You do not like queues and prefer not to pay online service charges.

Tips:

• Come in 1-2 hours before your flight time if purchasing same-day
• Most of the Vietnamese railroad employees have little English.Listt down your destination, date, and desired train number
• Always verify train services (soft seat, sleeper, AC) before paying
• Bring Vietnamese Dong in cash; not all stations will accept a card
  

Hanoi Station (Sours: sapanomad)

Buying Through a Travel Agency: A Local’s Shortcut with Expert Help

Vietnam Train Schedules (2025 Update)

Popular Routes & Daily Departures (North → South)

Here are the key trains departing from Hanoi heading southbound toward Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon):

Saigon → Hanoi Train Schedule

Pro tip: Always confirm your train’s departure time as well as the terminal station (e.g., Saigon Station or Long Bien in Hanoi) on your train tickets.

Most Scenic Train Journeys in Vietnam

Don’t miss these breathtaking stretches of railway!

• Hue → Da Nang (Hai Van Pass): Cliffside roads embracing ocean scenery and jungle-clad summits – pure film gold!
• Nha Trang → Quy Nhon: Laid-back fishing villages and unspoiled coastline glide past your window.
• Hanoi → Lao Cai: This overnight trip is ideal for those going on to Sapa, with the soft sleeper cabin being a bonus.

Hue → Da Nang train (Sours: vietnamtourism)

Ticket Classes & Prices: What to Expect with Your Vietnam Train Tickets

Seat & Sleeper Classes on Vietnam Trains

Ticket Classes (Sours: vietnambudgetcarrental)

SE Trains vs TN Trains vs Private Trains

• SE Trains: These are the most comfortable and quickest on the Vietnamese railway. SE1 through SE4 have modern air-conditioned compartments with smooth suspension.
  
• TN Trains: Slower and older. Fewer comforts, greater local experience. Perfect for budget-conscious travellers who wish to save and absorb Vietnam in a leisurely style.
  
• Livitrans / Violette / Golden Trains: These trains are privately operated with luxury facilities, cleaner cabins, free snacks, as well as generally an international traveler atmosphere. They are available on routes from Hanoi down to Da Nang, Sapa (Lao Cai), as well as Saigon – Nha Trang.

Sample Ticket Prices (Per Person)

Conclusion

Set for the ride? With the right Vietnam train tickets, your adventure is not just about getting from here to there, but about the experience of riding the rails! Whether you’re cruising through green fields of rice, waking up in the mountains on the train from Hanoi to Saigon, or watching the sunrise over Ha Long, the magic of Vietnamese railway life is yours. For local insights and travel ideas, don’t miss our local recommendations in the guide Vietnam or chat with your own Vietnam tour guide today!

FAQ

1. Is the train from Hoi An to Hanoi worth it?

Yes! Hop in a taxi to Da Nang Station, then ride through the picturesque Hai Van Pass on your way to Hanoi. Cultural and comfortable!

2. What’s the best way to buy train tickets?

Online is best:

• 12Go.asia: Simple, foreign cards supported
• Baolau.com: Best for private cabins.
• DSVN.vn: Official but more difficult to use.
  

3. How much is the train from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat?

There’s no direct train.

• Go Ho Chi Minh → Thap Cham by train, then bus to Da Lat.
• Tickets: ~230,000-600,000 VND ($9-25).

4. Best train journey in Vietnam?

Da Nang → Hue via Hai Van Pass – stunning coastal ride!
Other great routes: Hanoi → Lao Cai, Nha Trang → Quy Nhon, Hanoi → Saigon.

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Conclusion

Starved of more than what the eyes alone can see? Have Vietnamese street food tours be your taste-bud-filled entry into authentic Vietnamese culture. Starting from banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City and finishing with egg coffee in Hanoi, with every mouthful, you’re getting closer to the heart of this lively country. Want to dig deeper? Don’t miss our complete Vietnam itinerary 3 weeks filled with unmissable Vietnam attractions and local gems!