Hanoi, which is located in the north, can be connected to Saigon, which is in the south, by the train called the Reunification Express. This is one way in getting to know the country very well in a short span of time. It is also considered as one of the best train travels you can do in the region. The line was built by the French and was finished in 1936. In 1954, the railway was severed when the country was partitioned into north and south, but in 1976, the railway was united once again.

There are various options when you want to take the train in this region. You can either choose from a soft sleeper or a hard seat. If you like to travel from Hanoi to Saigon, it is recommended that you select a sleeper berth due because it gives you comfort for a long journey. If you like to go with a sleeper berth, you can choose from a soft sleeper or hard sleeper. In the choice for seats, you can go either with a soft seat or hard seat.  Among these choices, the soft sleeper is the most comfortable. If you like to go with seats, you should opt for a soft seat. One good thing about taking the Reunification Express is that there is an adequate supply of food in the carriage.

 

The start of the express trip from Hanoi makes you see the busy suburbs of the city. It runs near to the highway that it looks like the vehicles are plastered in your window. As the train nears Ninh Binh, the rail crossings for each 10 minutes becomes lesser. Ninh Binh is the first main stop on the Express. The landscape is amazing. There are large rocks climbing out of the rice plains. You can actually see farmers working on the fields. The journey heads south via the Demilitarized Zone.

 

The Hue to Danang route is famous for its picturesque sceneries. When you pass through the tunnels, you can see the mountainsides where the tunnels were marked. It also goes near the coastline which brings so much attraction to the passengers. You can witness all these beauty by looking at the window near you. One can truly experience the natural beauty of Vietnam around this area.  When you reached Danang, the station is full with food stores and random people from tour agencies searching for tourists to get into their hotels.

 

The last stop is in Saigon. There are many rice fields living 100 kilometers away from this area. The entrance to Bien Hoa shows the marks of city living. Stores and repair shops are situated along the highway. It is where you can actually see the daily chores of the locals. The travel from Hanoi to Saigon consumes approximately 30-39 hours. There is a total of 6 trains operating in either direction every day.

 

On the Reunification Express Train, the luggage can be kept in your compartment under the bottom bunks. A wash basin and communal western and squat toilets are located at the end of each carriage. Pillows and blankets are provided, meals are sometimes served o­n the train, but we recommend you bring your own food with you. Travelling on the Reunification Express Train is interesting, slowly making its way through mountains and rice paddies and along amazing cliffs, revealing hidden beaches.

VIETNAM RAILWAYS MAP