A Complete Guide for Vietnam Overnight Train Tours

Imagine the train taking you sleeping through the mountains, beaches, and cities of Vietnam at night. Isn't it charming compared to spending a regular night in a hotel? Comfortable and safe overnight trains are the first choice for many travelers in Vietnam. In this guide, you will learn about some of the most popular Vietnam overnight train routes and answers to frequently asked questions about Vietnam overnight trains.

Cabin of Vietnam Overnight Train

What Are the Popular Vietnam Overnight Train Routes?

Boarding a Vietnam overnight train for a good night's sleep after exploring one city and waking up to the dawn of another beautiful city will make every night and morning of your trip more memorable. We will show you three of the most popular Vietnam overnight train routes through southern, central, and northern Vietnam.

1. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Nha Trang

Located in the southern part of the country, Ho Chi Minh City is the first stop for most tourists, where you will see the most dynamic side of Vietnam. After your tour in Ho Chi Minh City, you can take the overnight train north to Nha Trang, the capital of Khanh Hoa Province, a coastal city known for its stunning islands and sandy beaches.

Overnight trains from Ho Chi Minh Railway Station to Nha Trang Railway Station take 8-9 hours and cost 40-50 USD, leave at 8-9 pm and arrive at 4-6 am the next morning. If it's already dawn when you arrive, you can see the rolling hills of Nha Trang greeting you outside the window. Nha Trang Railway Station is close to many attractions and just 2 km from the most popular Nha Trang Beach, which boasts many restaurants and hotels.

Night View of Ho Chi Minh City

2. Nha Trang to Hue

Hue is a favorite Vietnamese city for foodies and lovers of historic architecture. Overnight trains from Nha Trang Railway Station to Hue Railway Station take about 14 hours and cost 40-50 USD. There are different departures, and it is recommended that you choose the one that departs at 8 pm and arrives at 10:30 am the next day so you get the best view. At 7-8 am, the train passes through Da Nang, which is also a coastal city, and if you've woken up, you will see the endless turquoise waters, golden shores, and lush stretches of mountains, and this healing beauty will stay with you all the way to Hue Railway Station.

Then, you can explore the incredible historical sites of Hue, such as Imperial City and Khai Dinh Tomb, and taste the food. Hue is the most gastronomically rich Vietnamese city, and many dishes are cooked with secret recipes from the ancient royal family and now they are everywhere in the city.

Sea View in Nha Trang

3. Hanoi to Lao Cai (Sapa)

In Lao Cai province in northern Vietnam, there is Sapa, a small town known for its natural landscape and poetic villages, a trekking paradise in Vietnam. This route is one of the most comfortable and efficient to get to Sapa, and travelers can get a good night's sleep on the train and head to Sapa trekking the next day energized.

The route takes 8-9 hours with different departures. It is recommended to leave Hanoi Railway Station at 8-10 pm and arrive at Lao Cai Railway Station at 4-6 am the following morning, with the ticket costing 40-50 USD. When the train arrives in Lao Cai at dawn, you can see endless mountains and valleys out the window. Upon arrival at Lao Cai Railway Station, you can take a bus or taxi to Sapa, which takes about 1 hour.

Rural View of Sapa

How to Choose Your Seat on Vietnam Overnight Trains

1. Regular Carriages or Luxury Carriages

The vast majority of the carriages on Vietnam overnight trains are regular carriages. For some luxury experiences, there are a few luxury carriages operated by private companies you can try, such as the Victoria Express, which can take you from Hanoi to Lao Cai. It costs 2-3 times more than regular carriages. There are fewer berths in luxury carriages, but each sleeper has elaborate decorations, such as paintings on the walls, flowers on the tables, and beautiful large table lamps, and some sleepers are equipped with televisions for you to enjoy.

2. Hard Sleepers or Soft Sleepers

While purchasing the ticket, you must choose either a hard or a soft sleeper. Hard sleeper has 6 berths, while soft sleeper has 4 berths, which means more stretching room and slightly higher fares. Both sleepers have air conditioning, lights, electrical outlets, large windows, lockable doors, and PA speakers. All berths have a comfortable mattress, a sheet, a blanket, and a pillow. But if you are looking for more room and space, the soft sleeper is more recommended.

3. Lower Berths or Upper Berths

When booking your overnight train ticket, you'll also need to choose between a lower berth or an upper berth. The advantage of an upper berth is that you won't be disturbed when other people come in and out. You need to step on the footstep against the wall to get to the upper berth, though it's a little bit of a hassle compared to climbing the common bunk bed's ladder. The advantage of the lower berth is that getting in and out is easier.

Upper Berths of the Cabin

How to Take Vietnam Overnight Trains

1. Buy Tickets Online or at Railway Stations

You can buy tickets from the official Vietnam Railway website or the nearest railway station. It is recommended that you book your tickets in advance, especially if you plan to travel during the Tet holiday, which is the peak time for locals to travel home by train for the holiday. Train tickets for the Tet holiday usually go on sale around October, and the sooner you book your tickets, the better.

2. Steps to Board the Train

• It is recommended that you arrive at the railway station earlier if you have no experience in taking the train in Vietnam, please arrive at least 1 hour earlier. Before the train departs, you can rest in the seating area.
• When the staff checks your ticket, you can show either the e-ticket on your phone or the paper ticket.
• Follow the information on the instruction board to the departure platform of your train and wait in line; find your sleeper and berth according to your ticket after boarding the train.

  Find your sleeper and berth according to your ticket

Services and Amenities on Vietnam Overnight Trains

• Luggage: Vietnam overnight trains allow each passenger to carry up to 20 kilograms of luggage, which should be neatly packed. You can fit common-sized suitcases underneath the lower berth, and storage compartments are above the door.
• Food: Food carts are not always available on the train, so please buy enough snacks and water at the convenience store of the train station or buy takeouts from the nearby restaurant before entering the train station.
• Restroom: There are 2 restrooms in each carriage, one equipped with a toilet and one with a squatter.
• PA speakers: Each sleeper has PA speakers, which will remind you of the stop. Please set your alarm, pack your bags in advance, and listen to the PA speakers.

What to Pack for Vietnam Overnight Train Tours

• Portable charger: Although there are electrical outlets in every sleeper, they are not always close to your berth, and others may be using them, so it is more convenient to bring your own portable charger.
• Earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, and eye masks will help you have a better night's sleep. Remember to set your alarm clock to vibrate mode if you're wearing headphones or earplugs.
• Tissue and hand sanitizer: Some Vietnam overnight trains do not provide tissues and hand sanitizer, so be sure to bring some. You can buy travel-size hand sanitizer that is small, portable, and won't spill into your backpack.
• Warm clothes: The air conditioning in Vietnam overnight trains is not adjustable, and you may feel cold.
• Sheets: Bedding is changed at both the departure and final stops, but if you are boarding the train halfway through the trip, your berth may have been used by the previous passenger, so it is recommended that you bring a sheet.

Is It Safe to Travel on Night Trains in Vietnam?

The Vietnam overnight train is arguably one of the most comfortable and safe modes of land transportation in Vietnam, and it is so efficient that many tourists prefer it when traveling in Vietnam. However, being in a foreign country, you may be worried about thieves, so you can keep your valuable belongings close to you.

Are you ready for a Vietnam overnight train tour? Which route would you most like to try? Let Odynovo create travel plans and handle possible hassles for you, so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.