Reunification Express Train

The “Reunification Express” runs the length of Vietnam from north to south, connecting Hanoi and Saigon, and celebrating the reunification of the country in 1976.

Travelling by train in Vietnam is a unique experience. It’s possible to take faster internal flights, but if you have time on your side, train travel allows an opportunity to experience a different side of Vietnamese culture. Play a game of cards in your cabin. Share a Banh Mi with a new friend. There’s no need to rush; the journey is the experience.

As well as getting to know your fellow passengers, the train’s other big benefit is the views out the window. Travel through little towns and villages at dawn, catching small glimpses into other lives. Palm trees, water buffalo, and far-off islands pass by as you sip on a rice beer from the dining car.

The journey between Hué and Danang is particularly scenic, as the train runs along the coast and through lush green mountains via the Hai Van Pass, revealing views of beaches and islands. This stretch of the journey is known as the Hái Vân or Cloudy Pass.

Soft sleeper carriages come with a pillow, sheet, duvet, and reading light. There are seven 4-berth compartments and all can be securely locked from the inside. We recommend the lower bunks for taller passengers.

It’s also possible to take a privately run sleeping car that caters to only foreign tourists. They are attached to trains that operate between Hanoi, Hue, and Danang. These cars have 4-berth air-conditioned sleeper compartments with upgraded onboard services provided. Although more luxurious, you will only meet other tourists in these carriages which may be a disappointment to some.

What you’ll do

• Travel north to south on the Reunification Express, linking Hanoi, Hue, Danang and Saigon by rail.

• Experience daily life onboard, from sharing food with fellow passengers to watching villages and countryside pass by.

• Enjoy some of Vietnam’s most memorable scenery, especially the coastal route between Hue and Danang via the Hai Van Pass.

• Sleep comfortably in soft sleeper cabins, with the option to upgrade to privately run tourist sleeper cars with enhanced services.