Crossing from Ho Chi Minh city to Hanoi by rail with no stops takes approximately 35 hours to cover the 1,726 Kilometers on a sleeper-style train. You'll get off the train in Hanoi then travel approximately 170km from Hanoi to Ha Long International Cruise Port or Tuan Chau Harbour, and travel time expected approximately 2.5 hour or more via bus or private car. This way will help you save a lot of money but take you lots of time.

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Ho Chi Minh City to Halong Bay by Train

You can travel to Halong Bay from Ho Chi Minh city by train, the most scenic way to see Vietnam while moving between points is by rail. The air-conditioned trains show some wear and tear, but they are fairly comfortable. You can have set meals delivered to your compartment or take advantage of food-and-drink carts.

The railway from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) station to Hanoi station is about 1,726 Kilometers. There are 4 trains including SE2, SE4, SE6 and SE8 (which belong to Reunification Express train) on this route. They daily depart and take about 33 to 36 hours (From Saigon to Hanoi). The seat types include the hard seat, the soft seat, hard berth (6 berths in a cabin) and the sort berth (4 berths in cabin) - From Soft Seat type to Soft Berth type, all carriages and cabins are air-conditioned with the comfortable seats/berths.

Ho Chi Minh railway station:
Address: 1 Nguyen Thong , 9 Ward, 3 District, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: 19006469 ; Email: dsvn@vr.com.vn

Hanoi railway station:
Address: 120 Le Duan ward, Hoan Kiem District , Ha Noi City
Tel: 19006469 ; Email: dsvn@vr.com.vn


Sleeper trains come in the 'hard' and 'soft' varieties. Hard-sleeper cars - the cheaper of the two options -- have six berths, meaning that you could be sandwiched between someone sleeping above and below you. Soft-sleeper cars are slightly more expensive but have only four people to each compartment. Luggage is kept with you for security. Simple bedding is provided. The cheapest train ticket, a 'soft seat,' provides you with only a reclining chair in a cramped car. While not luxurious, soft-sleeper trains are the most comfortable option for getting some sleep on the long journey.


You can purchase meal tickets on trains that cover a set meal delivered directly to your compartment. Alternatively, you can buy drinks and snacks from carts that come around sporadically. Free boiling water is available on tap to make your own tea, coffee, or instant noodles.

While travel agencies and hotels can book tickets for a commission, the safest option is to book several days in advance directly at the train station. Tickets often get snatched up by resellers who know that tourists wait until the last minute to book. Some unsavory travel agents have been known to sell hard-sleeper train tickets for soft-sleeper prices. You won't be able to confront them once you are boarding your train and find out that you've been scammed!

• Cost: $ $ (medium)
• Time: ★ ★ (medium)
• Comfort: ★ ★ (medium)
• Convenience: ★ ★ (medium)
• Scenery: ★ ★ ★ (high)

While still a time-consuming option, trains are the most scenic way to see parts of the Vietnam countryside normally inaccessible to tourists. You'll also arrive more rested.