All these private trains provide the best comfort to customers. Realistically, you need not expect much that it is at par with 5-star qualities because Vietnam has its own standards. Therefore, if you want to avoid getting disappointed on its amenities, it is better to keep the expectations moderate as possible. But rest assured that you can sleep and work comfortably in the confines of compartments.

Fanxipan Train from Hanoi to Lao Cai

There are only a few private companies to choose. Their prices are almost identical to each other, around $34-$36 in an apportioned 4-berth sleeper. A VIP class sleeper costs around $70-$79 for one individual. The best operators in the country are Fanxipan, Sapaly Express, and Orient Express. Based from the experience for most travelers, the Fanxipan is better than the Orient Express because it has a higher headroom space that is good for sitting. This suits best for all tall persons who want to sit comfortably in the lower bunks. Thus, it is recommended to take the lower bunk if you are a tall person to avoid slouching to fit in the upper bunk.

It is possible that you can purchase all 4 berths in a compartment if you like to stay alone in a room. This often happens if the VIP compartments are already sold out. Although this could be ideal for some people, this lost you an opportunity to meet new friends in the train. Meeting new friends is more fun than staying alone in a room just waiting for the train to reach its destination. Therefore, if your goal is to have fun travelling, then reserving the compartment all by yourself is not recommended.

To purchase tickets, you can see more details on prices, and more information on different sleepers in vietnamrailways.net. To select a sleeper of your choice, you can book on the website or by email. The mode of payment received is credit cards. After making your payments, you will immediately be provided with an e-ticket which you will use to be traded for an actual ticket. The exchange of tickets has to be made at the check-in area of the operator at Hanoi station. This must also be done 60 minutes before the time of departure. In the case that you are already in Vietnam, you can buy tickets through Vietnamese travel agencies. You can’t buy tickets in the station, but there is a ticket booth for Ratraco sleepers for the destination to Lao Cai.

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Trains are also significant modes of transportation to reach certain destinations. For instance, going to Lao Cai (Sapa) needs you to travel by train when you start from Hanoi. This gives you a faster and cheaper mode of transportation as compared to buses and cars. This is due to the fact that the road in going from Hanoi to Sapa still stays to be rough for other motor vehicles. Moreover, trains offer numerous options to passengers who demand comfort and style. Passengers can choose from a range of different train classes, from expensive soft sleepers to cheap soft seats. This makes them ideal for budget wise tourists who also want to travel comfortably.

Trains are also ideal even for short travels like a 3 hour trip between Hue and Hoi An. The time sitting in the train provides you some beautiful scenery of different landscapes and ocean views along the way. The slow pace of a train works in your favor by giving you more time in taking pictures on such beautiful sceneries for memory keeping.

An added tip in taking a journey by train requires you to bring your own food if you are picky on food quality that are catered on train, You can bring with you a huge towel to cover you and keep you warm throughout the journey. If you board a soft seat train, bring with you a neck pillow to support your posture and keeps you comfortable all throughout the trip. This prevents you from getting stiff necks while resting on soft seats. To keep your mind out from stress in constantly looking at your belongings, bring only a small luggage.

It is not advisable that you stay in your seat the whole trip. It is better that you do some light movements to stretch your legs and improve blood circulation. Also, you can approach the coach’s conductor if you have issues that need to be solved right away. Do not sulk and try to solve the problem on your own because it is going to ruin your mood for the entire journey.

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It is not enough to rely on information provided online by travel agencies. To make sure that you get your desired train reservations, ask the person to whom you are buying the tickets whether the kind of train you want to reserve possess the desired seats or sleepers you want. There are instances where the seats you have expected are not what they actually seem when you actually get on the train.

It is also ideal to bring in small luggage and bags because the designated storage area is too small to accommodate large packages. What is amazing on the seats of the train is they can actually be reclined. This is very comfortable when you want to take a nap while travelling. There is an available food cart which moves constantly along the corridors that cater all sorts of food and beverages for those who are hungry.

If you like to travel comfortably by train, always choose a soft sleeper because it has a larger space for bags, good comfortable beds, and a larger cabin good for four persons. If you travel together with your family, chose to book for the lower bunk because it keeps your kids safe from falling on the floor if you let them sleep in the upper bunk. Moreover, you get a small table where you can do your work and eat your meals extravagantly.

When purchasing a train ticket online, always confirm with the person selling the ticket on what you have read on their site. In this way, you will be sure on what you will be getting when you will be boarding a train of your choice. Confirming on what you have read online also assures you on what to expect. In the event that you have not booked any tickets yet when you reached Vietnam, ask your hotel to buy the train tickets for you. This is more reliable than getting help from tourist outlets. The extra cost in arranging for a train ticket only comes from delivery. Thus, no other charge aside from delivery expenses must be added in your train ticket booking from a hotel you are staying.  To make sure that you do not get hungry, it is better to bring some food with you for the travel. Although there was abundant food available in the first two legs, there was little food left when you reached the third leg of your train journey. So, to save you from getting cranky on food while on the journey, pack on food.

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When you sleep at night, you must secure the door of your cabin with a lock. You can improvise and use a hanger in keeping the door locked. This measure prevents thieves from going inside your cabin while you are asleep. This will also ease your mind that no other stranger will go barging in while you are in deep slumber. Another tip is to never leave your valuable assets near the window because someone might reach on it especially if the train makes a stop or in stationary. Your valuable items like cellphones, laptops, and cameras must be stored in a secure place when you are not using them. In this way, you will avoid the possibility of losing them along the way.

Your bags must be tied together so that they will not be displaced from you. It will also be easy to carry them right before you reach the train destination. Moreover, you can keep track of them more easily because they are clustered together. Another useful tip while in the train is to sleep in the bunk with your valuable possessions. This way you can easily determine whether someone is reaching for them. Avoid loading expensive items in an easy-to-open container because they can easily be taken by thieves if they want without you noticing it. Also, never put your valuables away from you. They should be placed near your reach.

More importantly, it is recommended that you do not drink too much to the extent that you lose control and awareness of your surroundings. Always drink in moderation and keep in mind that you are in a foreign place, so it is important to be extra cautious for your protection. Getting drunk also loses you the opportunity to see the beautiful views while on the train because you will be spending your time sleeping and wake up with a nasty headache. One can of beer is the recommended consumption because it does not dreadfully make you drunk.

It is important to keep wary on these things, but this should not stop you in making friends while on travel in train. Riding a train is a great opportunity to make friends and enjoy the beautiful views that Vietnam can offer.

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There are 4-6 bunks provided by cabins. A small ladder will be used to access the upper bunks. As compared to lower bunks, the upper bunks provide more security when you are sleeping. However, you will be closer to the air-con unit which is not ideal if you easily get chills when exposed to cold areas. Therefore, it is recommended that if you are reserving for the upper bunk areas, you need to bring warm clothes to keep you comfortable when you sleep. Below the lower bunks, there are storage areas that can be shared by passengers in a cabin. You can’t rely on putting on your valuable possessions in the storage area because it is not a secured place.

There are two toilets located in carriages. One has a squat toilet while the other has only a mirror and basin. For more convenience, it is recommended that you sit in the middle of the train. It is also recommended to sit far away from the bathrooms. To make sure that you do not run out of toilet paper, you need to pack some on your own. In this way, you won’t get stressed when you can’t find any toilet paper when you need them the most.

The 5-star and SE trains are all air-conditioned while the others are variably not. If you want open windows for photography, air-con trains are not suitable for you. You need to ride on the non air-con trains to have your windows opened. Usually, the windows of non-air-conditioned trains are remained to be close because there are instances where the children passing by will throw rocks on the windows. Therefore, for protection, you have to close your windows and just stare at the scenery in a closed glass window.

 If you wish to travel from Hanoi to Saigon, it is recommended that you take the SE trains because they move the fastest and make stops at famous tourist attractions. The price of the SE train tickets is quite reasonable. TN trains are a bit slower as compared to SE trains because they make more stops, but they are more affordable and more equipped with a variety of more affordable classes. The majority of the travels made by Sapa trains are night trains. Its cut above the rest because it offers the Victoria service which you only get if you are associated with Victoria Sapa Hotel. The 5-star Express operates with new cars and runs the route from Saigon and Nha Trang. Domestic and foreign travelers can now enjoy a high level of comfort and international quality service whilst traveling by train, with the assurance of high standards of safety.

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Most tourists opt to journey in a soft sleeper because of the comfort it brings. The 4 berths that comprise a soft sleeper compartment each have a pillow, sheet, a soft quilt, and a personal reading lamp. You need to stay on the lower berths in the daytime. Due to constant use, even the newer carriages are a bit worn and shabby by western levels, but in totality, a soft sleeper is a satisfying and enjoyable means to travel around Vietnam.

Your bags are under your keep. A space under the lower bunks and a huge space on top of the compartment door are provided to keep your luggage. If you are a tall person, then the lower berths are suited for you. This is because the upper berth has a support chain consuming about two inches space at every end. Many of the modern cars utilized as trains use a 2-pin power socket which can be used to recharge mobile gadgets and cameras. The toilets are also adorned with soap and each corridor’s end has a bathroom paper readily available to passengers.

At the side of the corridors, most of their windows are open which are perfect for photography on the beautiful scenery that are passed by the train. On the other hand, the windows in the compartments are kept closed. At the corridor’s end there is a free water dispenser filling in for both hot and cold water. This comes in use when you have brought some powdered beverage, instant noodles, or powdered juice. A trolley is moved around the train bringing in different snacks, beverages, and beer. During meal times, a train staff approaches each passenger selling a meal stab for the price of 35,000 VND. When you purchase a meal ticket, you will be provided with a set meal and water which will be transported to your compartment not more than 30 minutes.  During night time a lock will be provided for security.

In the case that soft sleepers are already sold out, you can opt for hard sleepers. This is suitable if you travel in a group of utmost 6 persons because its compartments have 6 berths in total. This is also ideal if you only travel for one night only with comparatively small daytime factor so you only need to stay majorly in your berth.  Its facilities are almost similar with soft sleepers in accordance to power sockets, toilets, and meals.

Soft seats are suggested for daytime travels. If you travel for a few hours, you can ride air conditioned hard seats made with wooden seats. Another wooden seat trains with no air-con are called ordinary hard seats. They are equipped with windows that can be opened which can be desirable for photography purposes. Hard seats are the most inexpensive class on the train.

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You are not allowed to purchase an open ticket and get on and off trains in your own volition. This is due to the fact that all trains need a reservation. In all tickets, several details are printed including as particular date, particular train number, and car number. Thus, for every train travel you undergo, you need different tickets. If you wish to journey from Saigon and Hanoi, getting off the on the way can be done. All you need to do is book a string of different tickets made in advance or purchase at the station.

Booking of Vietnam train tickets opens not more than 60 days prior to the departure date. During peak tourist seasons, you must book at the time the booking commences. It is unlikely that you don’t get any tickets because there are many available trains that can operate even shortly notified. Tourists who value their privacy may purchase 4 tickets to occupy a 4 bed soft sleeper. Although this is possible, it would be difficult for you to drive away other passengers who want to occupy your paid space. Therefore, it is suggested that you only book 2 beds. In that way, you might meet some other passengers that can be your friend along the way and save you from isolation.

You can also purchase Vietnam train tickets at the train station at the time you reached the country. When you book few days before schedule, you might still get available tickets despite the fact that your first option of train has already been all sold. In 2002, train tickets reservations have been computerized, thus, it will be easy to purchase tickets for all Vietnamese journeys at Saigon and Hanoi booking outlets. On the other hand, other booking stations like Hue, Danang, or Nha Trang, only allows you to book travels which begins at the station where you are situated in. The mode of payment is in Vietnamese Dong.

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First, taking the train in Vietnam is simple and relaxing. Vietnam is known to have busy streets and heavy traffic. This provides a lot of stress to commuters in the area. If you like to avoid the hustle and bustle of road traffic in the region, it is best to take the trains to reach your destination. This can save you a lot of stress and pollution coming from common road vehicles like cars and buses. What is good in taking trains is you avoid the sound of beeping and near traffic accidents which are very prone to the traffic roads of the country. Moreover, it saves you from the stress of traffic which can really dampen your mood if you are a tourist looking to have fun and enjoyment.

Another benefit in taking the train in Vietnam is its practical. You don’t need to be bothered by going to the train stations very early hoping to take a seat because as a tourist, your ticket has already been booked by your travel agent. One good option you get from trains is you can bring in your own food which is not the case for planes, where food costs very expensively. This saves you money for food expenses and gives you the freedom to eat according to your preference.

Using trains in Vietnam also proves to be more environmentally friendly because it cuts down the consumption of personal vehicles. When more people utilize their own cars, then more emissions of greenhouse gasses are released in the air, aggravating the condition of air pollution and global warming. So, if you like to contribute to the environment more positively, try to take trains instead because it has a lesser environmental impact.

Riding trains also give you more freedom than taking air flights. Unlike planes, you can get out from your seat while on transit. It’s a good opportunity to make new friends and learn the culture of other tourists. It is also a great way to mingle with the Vietnamese locals and learn about their country. While in transit, you can read a book, take a snack at the canteen, or just look at the scenery. This improves your travel experience and gives you the advantage of basking in the natural scenic views of the country while in motion. No other transports can provide you these same benefits as by train.

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First, you should book in advance. You can do this through a travel agent and is best recommended during peak seasons. This can be simply executed by emailing popular tourist agencies. A voucher will be provided which will be traded with a real ticket before boarding the train.

Next, pack your belongings in a small luggage size because the trains in Vietnam are quite small and their corridors are a bit narrow. Donning a small baggage makes it easier to move in the train and avoid you from getting stuck around the train area. If you suffer from any injury or have children with you, ask for the lower bunk because it prevents your children from falling off from their beds and prevents your injury from getting strained in going up. Among all overnight trains in Vietnam, the Sapaly Express train from Hanoi to Lao Cai (Sapa) offers the most comfort and clean beds for overnight train travelers.

It is also best to be not so punctual when waiting to board the train because it is customary in the country to delay their schedules a bit late. If you do not like to wait too long, be sure to estimate your delay to at least 5 minutes before the scheduled departure time as specified by the travel agent. In terms of food, it is better to prepare your own food. Usually, the most available food in the train is instant noodles. More importantly, look for the counter which is stated on your voucher when arriving at the train station. Avoid giving your voucher to anyone who is not part from the train company. A lot of cases have happened involving scammers who have tried to aid tourists in exchanging their vouchers. Make sure to know the contact number of your travel agent and contact them once you can’t find the counter for the exchange of train tickets.

For a better experience, it is best that you get friendly to your bunkmate especially if you travel alone. In this way, you can share some travel experiences and solve the boredom by traveling alone. If your bunkmate is not cordial enough to make friends with you, then it is essential that you have with you a paperback novel to read or an MP3 player to entertain you while riding the train. Better yet, you can sleep through the entire journey and wake up at the next train destination center. While sleeping, you should be wary of your personal possessions. Your money should be placed in a very secure place where it is difficult to be reached by a stranger.

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One common misconception of new travelers is that using internal flights saves more time than the travel by train more specifically from Hanoi to Hue. However, this is not true because an overnight train can apparently save you time because the train leaves from Hanoi at night and arrives in Hue the following morning. More so, taking trains offer a real Vietnamese experience while flying on airplanes gives you a squandered opportunity. Taking flights consume an average of 5 hours from your allotted sightseeing schedule. Plus, there are more hassles along the way, like getting to a distant airport, checking in, getting your bags, and returning to the city center.

One advantage of getting into trains is you can save for a hotel bill. In a sleeper train, it allows you to sleep and rest while you get on to your next city destination. A sleeper train can make you stretch your legs and give you a sound sleep in a swap of a more expensive hostel or cheap hotel. As compared to other road vehicles, like cars and buses, trains are more comfortable and budget friendly. One important thing to consider when taking a sleeper train is you should be not easily get annoyed by minor unforeseen events. You should welcome any surprises as well.

Another benefit of traveling by train is the captivating views that you can see while on transit. Vietnam has more than 3,260 kilometers of amazing coastline which can be clearly viewed in the train carriage windows. If you want to meet the beauty of the country, take a train travel up the coast. More specifically, take notice in the tour from Hue to Danang where it presents one of the most attractive sceneries in the region. The train advances along the South China Sea, moving from cliff to forest-covered cliff. It also passes on beaches and islands, then, goes through the abundant mountains to arrive Danang.

The cost of tickets differs depending on the train. Tickets cost more if trains are very fast. Children who are aged below two years old are free of charge. On the other hand, children between the age of 4 to 9 years old can get a discount on the ticket price. This makes it convenient for those who want to travel to Vietnam with their children. Not only they will save money for transport in Vietnam, they can also introduce their children to a different culture and appreciate the wonders of nature as shown by Vietnam’s coastline and forests.

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