Vietnam train

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The first line of Vietnam Train was constructed in 1881 with the length of 71 km linking Sai Gon and My Tho. Then the Trans-Viet line was operated in 1936. Up to now, railways network has made a rapid leap compared with the starting period in term of its scale and operation capacity. Vietnam Railway network consists of 7 main lines linking and passing through over 35 provinces and cities with difficult terrains. With over 125 years of operation, Vietnam-Train has continually been developed and grown to become a State-owned corporation operating and maintaining all the infrastructure of the national railway network.

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Vietnam Train Development

- 1881 The first railway line in Vietnam and in Indochina with the length of 71 km between Saigon and My Tho was established, The railway network in Indochina and the railway line accessing into China project was approved by the French Government and Parliament

- 1936 Completion of railway network in Vietnam with total length of 2600 km, 1946 President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to Vietnam Train on 21 October praising the staff for their best services. Then the letter date is considered the Vietnam Railways Tradition Day. 1955 The Prime Minister promulgated a decision to establish General Railway Administration.

- 1976 After 36 years of separation, the rail line between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city was reunified connecting the North and the South of the country.

- 1990 The General Railway Administration was reformed to be the Vietnam Railway Union, The railway itineraries from the North to the South and vice versa were shortened 32 hours, The 2nd generation passenger cars were firstly manufactured by VNR. These cars have been supplied with new features and highly valued by the public.

Vietnam Train has been the main service of domestic train. With its implementation in almost every provinces and cities in Vietnam and activity scope of 2.652 km of railway, VRS offers trips on newer trains equipped with modern air-conditioned cars and berths for comfortable overnight trips.

Vietnam Train classes
There are four classes of train travel offered in most trains: hard-seat, soft-seat, hard-berth, soft-berth.
Hard-seat is tolerable for day travel, but it can be even less comfortable than the bus overnight.
Hard-berth has three tiers of beds (it means six beds per compartment). The upper berth is cheapest and the lower berth is most expensive.
Soft-seat includes vinyl-covered seats, more comfortable than benches of hard-seat, but rather hot if without air-conditioner in the summer.
Soft-berth has two tiers of beds (four beds per compartment), the price for each bunks are the same. These compartments have a door. Some trains may have super-berth compartments which have two beds per room with a door.

Vietnam Train routes
The main routes are the north-south train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, trains from Hanoi to the northwest and northeast, and beyond to China. Besides, there are local trains which do not make the complete journey, but just cover part of the route.

Travel between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
Vietnam Express train go between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and stop at various railway stations along the coast, such as Hue, Danang, Hai Phong, Nha Trang and so forth. These trains take 36 hours to finish their itinerary.
The two major kinds of trains are the: SE (SE1-SE6) and TN (TN3-TN10). SE trains are better, equipped with modern air-conditioned cars, larger windows, and restaurant or buffet car as well.

Details on fares and schedule, which are changed frequently (about every 6 months) are published thoroughly on the official website of Vietnam Railways System at: www.vietnam-train.com and available at railway stations. Buying a train ticket at the railway stations is not so simple. You can purchase tickets in advance directly on their website above.

5-Star Train claims itself to be the most luxurious train operating between Sai Gon and Nha Trang in Vietnam. One train of 5-Star Train includes ten carriages, classified to two 5-Star Club cars with 32 seats, two Deluxe cars with 44 seats and two Standard cars with 84 seats. among which are two luxurious sleeping carriages connecting with SN1/2 of Sai Gon Railway Company. Each carriage consists of 7 cabins, 4 berths per cabin, which means that the total capacity of each train is 56 berths.


5-star Express Saigon - Nha Trang train OTHER BENEFITS:
- Full-time service, bilingual English - Vietnamese and professional staff
- Included benefits : depend on ticket type
- Mineral water and towel for each passenger.
- Daily Newspaper, Tourism Magazines - Travel live in Vietnamese and English version.
- Private departure lounges at Saigon Station and Nha Trang Station
- Wide range selling network with sale agents and ticketing offices, 24/7. Professional staff and modern ticketing system.