There’s no denying that traveling by air is the most convenient means of transportation because it helps you reach your destination faster. However, when it comes to long-distance land travel, nothing can beat the picturesque landscapes that can only be viewed from window-side seats of a train.
Here’s our lowdown on some of the most beautiful Vietnam railway routes for your next holiday.
Image credit: Báo Du Lịch
From Hai Phong’s Railway Station, passengers can buy train tickets at VND130,000 (~USD5.61) for a 2-hour-and-45-minute ride to Hanoi.
Covering 102KM, the railway route between Hanoi and Hai Phong is filled with picturesque landscapes such as rice fields and bustling streets portraying vibrant local life.
However, the highlight of the ride must be the part when the train approaches Long Bien Bridge as it enters Hanoi. Passengers will be awakened by the exhilarating breeze and wowed by the panoramic view over the vast Red River and its verdant fields on the river banks.
The Long Bien Bridge shared by trains and motorcyclists
Image credit: Báo Đầu Tư
Besides, traversing on the 117-year-old Long Bien Bridge, a cultural and historical landmark of Hanoi that survived decades of wars, also makes the ride worth the travel.
Passengers can alight at Long Bien Railway Station or Hanoi Railway Station, which are only a 5-minute ride away from each other. These stations are a stone’s throw away from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, home to age-old architecture and a distinctive food scene.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Image credit: Vietnam Railway
An extraordinary train trek spanning 103KM, this 4-hour train ride departing from Da Nang Railway Station rolls past some of the most picturesque landscapes that Vietnam can offer.
The journey takes passengers into Hai Van Pass, one of the most spectacular Vietnam railway routes that offers views over both the vast ocean and magnificent mountain ranges. In the summer, flower fields on both sides of the trail are in full bloom, creating colorful and picturesque scenery.
Image credit: Vietnam Railway
Trains usually slow down their speed to 15km/h when passing through Hai Van pass due to safety concerns, which also lets passengers fully enjoy the surrounding landscapes.
As the train nears Lang Co Train Station in Hue, passengers will be treated to the gorgeous sight of Lang Co Bay’s blue waters.
Chan May Beach
Image credit: @khanhphamdh
You can make the most of your stay in Lang Co by visiting the Bach Ma National Park, home to impressive waterfalls or Chan May Beach where you can have a memorable splashing time in the crystal clear waters.
On the other hand, you can continue your train ride for another 1 hour until you reach Hue Railway Station, which is only a 5-minute ride away from Hue’s Imperial City.
Hue’s Imperial City
Image credit: @hahoang0804
When in Hue, Vietnam’s former capital city, you can explore a plethora of centuries-old heritage sites and eat traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
Image credit: Vietnam Railway
One of the most picturesque cities in Vietnam, Da Lat has a reputation for its numerous off-the-beaten-track landscapes that can only be viewed from a train’s seat.
As the train departs Da Lat Railway Station and rolls past Tran Quy Cap Street, the city landscape of Da Lat will soon be taken over by dense rows of cherry blossoms, which will make you feel as if you’re in Japan.
Da Lat’s cherry blossom season usually falls in January and February, so make sure you visit during this time in order to catch this gorgeous window-side sightseeing opportunity.
Image credit: Đường Sắt Việt Nam – Hành trình vạn dặm
Along the 7KM length of railway, passengers can catch sight of picturesque flower fields, quaint villages, and mist-covered lush mountains from the comfort of their carriages.
Image credit: Vietnam Railway
After landing at Trai Mat Railway Station, you can head west for a 5-minute walk to Linh Phước Pagoda, Da Lat’s biggest pagoda that is made of thousands of broken glass pieces.
Image credit: @vudinhquocan
Image credit: Vietnam Railway
Leaving the hubbub of Saigon, passengers aboard the 4-hour train ride from the city to Binh Thuan Province are treated to the vast landscapes of this coastal city.
You’ll be passing through a verdant dragon fruit garden and fertile fields.
Image credit: Vietnam Railway
Then you’ll reach Binh Thuan Railway Station in Ham Thuan Nam Ward, from which you can travel another 38KM to Ke Ga Lighthouse, Vietnam’s tallest and oldest lighthouse that’s been around since 1897.
Ke Ga lighthouse towering over Ke Ga sea
Image credit: Nguyen Nguyen
You can also hop on a 40-minute cab ride to go to Ta Cu Pagoda, one of Binh Thuan’s most scenic and sacred pagodas.
Sea lovers can choose to continue riding the train for the next 30 minutes, after which you’ll reach Phan Thiet Railway Station.
One of the Po Sah Inu Towers
Image credit: @jhong7914
Boasting a great selection of pristine beaches, awe-inspiring golden sand dunes, and historical sites such as the majestic Champa Kingdom’s Po Sah Inu Towers, you’ll have no lack of fun things to do in this coastal town.
Image credit: Moi Truong
Built by Sun Group and put into operation in 2018, the ride from Sapa to the peak of Fansipan, Vietnam’s tallest mountain, is Vietnam’s longest mountainous train ride.
Image credit: Fansipan Legend – Sun World
Departing at the McGallery Hotel Station, you’ll board the 4-minute train ride covering a gorgeous 2KM railway route as it traverses past lush alpine meadows, the pristine mountains of Hoang Lien Son, and the flower valleys of Muong Hoa.
Inside the train
Image credit: Tay Bac Sen Travel
After arriving at Muong Hoa Station, passengers can take photos of the scenery and hop on the returning train, or continue exploring the Fansipan mountain. Those who are in for a visual treat can hop on a 15-minute cable train ride to ascend to the peak of the Fansipan mountain, which is a staggering 3,000 meters above sea level.
Image adapted from: Fansipan Legend – Sun World
A round train ticket from the MGallery Sapa Hotel to Muong Hoa station costs VND200,000 (~USD8.62), while a journey from the Fansipan Cable Station to the peak of Fansipan costs VND750,000 per ride (~USD32.34).
The peak of Fansipan
Image adapted from: Fansipan Legend – Sun World
Image adapted from: Đường Sắt Việt Nam – Hành trình vạn dặm
Both Da Nang and Quang Binh are endowed with some of Vietnam’s most scenic natural attractions, so it’s no surprise that a 6-hour ride between these 2 cities is one of the most charming railway routes in Vietnam.
Image credit: Đường Sắt Việt Nam – Hành trình vạn dặm
Highlights of the ride include views over the winding Hai Van Pass flanked with lush mountains, as well as the glittering blue waters of Da Nang Bay and the lush Son Tra peninsula.
Image credit: Kim Long Phung Nguyen
As it moves onward into Hue, the train rolls past the magnificent Tam Giang Lagoon as well as a stone tunnel as it enters Quang Binh Province. The ride to Dong Hoi Station, its final stop is graced with towering rows of trees and breathtaking waterscapes.
If you aim to visit Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and want to find accomodations near the area, you can book a train ride from Da Nang Railway Station to Ngan Son Railway Station, which is about 42KM away from Dong Hoi Station.
From Ngan Son Railway Station, you can hop on a 15-minute ride to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park nearby, which is home to Son Doong, the world’s largest cave.
Image credit: The Vietage
From Da Nang Railway Station, passengers can travel on The Vietage, an Indochinese-style train carriage for a 6-hour ride to Dieu Tri Railway Station in Quy Nhon City.
Image credit: The Vietage
Spanning across 317KM, The Vietage passes by the mesmerizing coastline of South Central Coast, verdant glens, and lush rice fields.
Image credit: The Vietage
The first made-in-Vietnam luxury train carriage, The Vietage lets passengers enjoy Vietnam’s remote scenery in luxury and comfort.
Image credit: The Vietage
Boasting only 12 seats for privacy and tranquility, the carriage offers a wide range of facilities such as a massage parlor for passengers to relax, a restaurant that dishes out fancy meals, and a bar with a variety of drinks.
Image credit: Thanh Huyền Tạ
After touching down at Dieu Tri Railway Station, you can take a 20-minute cab ride to Quy Nhon city center, which also lies along the crescent-shaped Quy Nhon Central Coast, for an exhilarating beach walk or waterfront dinner.
Image credit: @changg1397
Those on a quest for pristine beaches for a serene retreat can travel 20KM away from the city center to Eo Gio and Hon Kho.
Image credit: Du Lich Live
During this 8-hour train ride from Saigon’s Railway Station to Nha Trang, a coastal city in Khanh Hoa Province, you’ll enjoy stunning sights of nature.
Image credit: Sasco
You’ll get a glimpse of some of the most pristine beaches in Vietnam as well as the beautiful Nha Trang Bay, a resort holiday spot.
Image credit: @chinhdongngo
From Nha Trang Railway Station, you can travel by cab for about 5 minutes to Nha Trang Beach, which is only 2KM away and lined with numerous seafood restaurants, waterfront café, hotels, and the central museum of Khanh Hoa Province.
Image credit: @_saggiee_
Po Nagar, a renowned Cham temple tower dedicated to Cham Goddess Yan Po Nagar and dates back to the year 781, is only 3KM away.
Passing through the spectacular wilderness, skirting snow-capped mountains, and rolling past rainbow-hued flower fields are some of the experiences that are accessible only by rail.
For your next journey across Vietnam, hop on a train that rolls past one of the above-mentioned railway routes, sit back, and watch the majestic and diverse scenery of Vietnam unfold before your eyes.
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Cover image adapted from: Đường Sắt Việt Nam – Hành trình vạn dặm and Vietnam Railway
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