Our trip to Vietnam was full of adventure - walking along the chaotic sidewalks of Ho Chi Minh City, dodging muddy streets in Hoi An, and exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter entirely on foot. But among all these experiences, one of the most memorable was our overnight Vietnam sleeper train journey. We’ve traveled by train in both South and Southeast Asia, but a 17-hour ride was a first for us. Here’s everything we learned from the trip—and whether we think it’s worth it!
Before we get to that;
What are the Train Routes in Vietnam
If you're visiting Vietnam for the first time, you must know about the routes. Trains have been one of the main transportation methods in Vietnam for the past century. Once a colony, train systems were built to carry goods and people across Vietnam. Today, trains practically reach every corner of the country. Here are the train routes you'll find today in Vietnam.
The most common route among tourists is the Reunification Express, which goes from Ho Chi Minh City from the south, up north to Hanoi. It was built in 1881 and offers some of the best train views in Asia. We wanted to visit Hoi An, so we took this train from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. The train doesn't stop at Hoi An, but it's only a 1 hour drive from Da Nang to Hoi An.
Which is the best route on Vietnam Sleeper Train?
All routes running across the country offer a similar view. But the Reunification Express and the Vietnam train to Sapa top the list. There are 4 trains on the Reunification line: SE2, SE4, SE6 and SE8. The total journey would take about 34 hours, but you can choose to get off at any station mid-way or join halfway. We booked our berths on the SE2 Violette train because it had the best reviews, and we agree. The train was really clean, and the service was top-notch.
Best Time To Take Reunification Train
With overnight sleeper trains in Vietnam, timing is everything. Choosing the right departure can make all the difference in your journey. If you're traveling the entire length of the Reunification Express (a 34-hour trip), we recommend taking the Violette luxury sleeper train departing at 20:35. This allows you to get a full 8-hour sleep and enjoy stunning daytime views from sunrise to sunset. You'll arrive at your final destination at 5 a.m. the day following next.
For shorter trips, like our journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, it's best to start from the beginning of the route rather than joining mid-way. Boarding in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi ensures cleaner beds and better-maintained toilets. Again, the 20:35 train is ideal for getting a good night’s sleep while also enjoying the sunrise and scenic landscapes.
What is the Ho Chi Minh City Train Station Called?
It's called Ga Saigon Railway Station, which is located about 20 minutes away from the heart of District 1. Do keep in mind that the Google road map may not be fully accurate, so inform your driver that you want to go to the 'train station'. This way, you can avoid going in circles around the lake.
Seats and Classes on Sleeper Trains
For short-distance trips, the Seated Train is ideal. For overnight journeys, there are several sleeper options:
Hard Sleeper (3rd Class): 6-bed cabin
Soft Sleeper (2nd Class): Standard 4-bed cabin
Private 2 Cabin (1st Class): 2-bed cabin
Premium cabins are typically operated by providers like Violette Express and Lotus Train. Since we booked just two days in advance, the luxury 2-berth cabin on the Violette Train was unavailable. Instead, we were offered a regular 4-berth soft sleeper at the same price. The cabin was clean and well-kept, with fresh bed sheets, blankets, pillows, and working power outlets. We also received a goody bag with snacks, water, and beer, along with a small trash bin.
Best Short Distance Vietnam Train Rides
If you're not cut out for long-haul overnight sleeper trains, don't worry; there are many transportation options in Vietnam, including short-distance train rides where you can experience similar scenery at a fraction of the time you'd spend on a long-distance train. Here are the best short-distance train rides you can try in Vietnam:
Hue to Da Nang - 4hrs
Hanoi to Hai Phong - 2hrs 45 minutes
Da Lat to Trai Mat - 1hr both ways
Ho Chi Minh City to Binh Thuan - 4hrs
Travelling with Children on Vietnam Sleeper Trains
Though we travelled as a couple, we saw many families, both tourists and locals, travelling on our Vietnam Sleeper Train. Do get a whole private cabin if you're travelling with a kid cause you'll have more privacy and won't bother other travellers.
Children under 3 years can travel free on the overnight sleeper train in Vietnam. Ages 3 to under 9 (under 1.3m) must pay 75% of the adult fare on North-South trains. However, tourist trains like Hanoi-Sapa require full-price tickets.
Passengers can carry baggage up to 20kg for adults and 10kg for children. But they don't weigh them like at an airport, so even if it exceeds a bit, it won't be a problem. However, make sure if you're using a shared cabin, you have to keep all the baggage on your bed. So less is more convenient.
How much is a Sleeper Train Ticket in Vietnam?
Trains are generally perceived to be cheap, but if you're booking an entire cabin in an overnight sleeper train, it can be more expensive than two one-way domestic air tickets to the same destination. Our flight from Da Nang to Hanoi cost $59.90 p.p., while one berth on the 4-berth cabin from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang (almost similar distance) cost $62.84 on SE2 Violette Train.
How to Book Sleeper Trains in Vietnam?
Booking sleeper trains in Vietnam online is easy. While the Vietnam Railway booking portal exists, the site kept crashing for us, so we went ahead and booked on Baolau. You can also book flights on it. The process was easy, and the interface was simple.
You just need to know the types of seats, like soft seat, VIP, etc, and the exact stops where you'll be getting on and off. For instance, if you want to visit Hoi An, you must get down from Da Nang. It's a famous stop where many tourists get off.
At first, we booked a luxury cabin for 2, but within an hour, Baolau emailed us to inform us that it was not available and asked whether it was fine to book a full 4-berth cabin instead, which was the same price. Our booking confirmation PDF came within 2 hours.
When Should You Book Your Vietnam Sleeper Train?
If you want to book a luxury 2-berth cabin, you must book early, at least 4 weeks ahead, as they only have limited cabins. For private 4-berth cabins, we suggest booking at least 10 days ahead, especially during the high season. If you don't mind a shared cabin, booking 2 days ahead is fine. But if you're booking a one-way train ticket, avoid booking your return flight from the same airport.
Can you book a Whole Cabin on the Vietnam Sleeper Train?
Yes, you can book an entire cabin (6 or 4 berth) for yourself like we did on the Vietnam Sleeper Train. But keep in mind that you can only do this through Baolau without complications, which is the main reason we booked from this platform, despite its processing fee being somewhat on the higher side compared to 12Go. We were not keen on sharing a sleeping space with 2 random strangers, so we decided to book the entire cabin, and we are SO GLAD we did it.
Anyway, we still recommend both Baolau and 12Go if you're booking trains or domestic flights in Vietnam.
Hygiene and Comfort in Vietnam Sleeper Trains
Coming to the most crucial question: Are Vietnam Sleeper Trains Clean? The answer lies somewhere in the middle. After watching countless vlogs, I braced myself for the worst, but to my surprise, the experience was better than expected. The cabin was clean overall, and despite being located near a sink and the workers' toilet, there was no unpleasant smell.
That said, we heard an old man coughing all night and a group of local kids running and playing in the passageway all day. Thankfully, with our door locked and earphones in, it wasn’t a major issue.
The mattress was decent for a sleeper train, and the space between the upper and lower bunks was comfortable enough. We kept our luggage on the upper bunks and slept on the lower ones for easy access to the table.
However, if you're traveling in a shared cabin with strangers - especially if you're a woman - we recommend choosing the upper bunk for added security and to keep your valuables safe.
Do Vietnam Sleeper Trains have toilets?
Yes. They have 2 types of toilets. One for workers and one for passengers. The worker toilet is a squatting pan, while the passenger toilet is a standard seat. My advice? Avoid the workers' toilet at all costs - it was in terrible condition. The passenger toilets, on the other hand, were relatively clean for a sleeper train (you can't expect much while on a moving carriage). Just bring wipes and try to avoid touching surfaces whenever possible.
Is there Food on the Vietnam Sleeper Train?
Yes. The SE2 overnight sleeper train we took had a menu, but we didn't order anything off the menu cause we had some 7/11 snacks prepared for the journey.
There is a food trolley that goes around during mealtime, selling snacks and drinks. We got some shell-on boiled eggs with a side of seasoning for breakfast. Overall, it's best to avoid eating much cause the toilets aren't very comfortable in case of an emergency.
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Is it Safe to Travel Alone on Vietnam Sleeper Train?
While many sugarcoat it, we have to be honest - the cabins are cramped. If we had to share ours with random strangers, it would have been super awkward. Unless you're traveling with friends, as a couple, or booking an entire cabin for yourself, we wouldn’t confidently recommend traveling alone in a shared sleeper cabin. But again, it's up to you. So, if you think you can do it, go for it!
Is the Sleeper Train in Vietnam Worth It?
If you're an adventurer who enjoys long, scenic journeys, Vietnam’s Sleeper Train is absolutely worth it! But if you have severe claustrophobia, you might want to stick to flights cause 17+ hours on a train is no small feat. We, of course, loved our experience, and the train staff were incredibly kind and polite!
Things to Pack for Your Vietnam Sleeper Train Journey
Here's a list of things we packed for our sleeper train journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. Make sure you pack these separately in a backpack so you don't have to keep opening your main luggage all the time.
Bottled water and tea (We were not sure of the water quality in the train).
Chips and crackers.
Sandwiches
Instant Cup Noodles (We didn't get to eat it as we were full)
Tissues and Wet Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
Mouthwash
Disposable Bed Sheets
A separate pair of socks and disposable slipper
Comfortable pyjamas
A jacket (Optional)
Headphones
2 separate bags - 1 for garbage and the other for laundry
These were more than enough for us to travel super comfortably in our overnight sleeper train in Vietnam. If you have high sensory sensitivity like me, make sure you pack some soothing inhalers and maybe a calming perfume to make the air smell better.
Are there 7/11s in Vietnam?
Yes, there are a couple of 7/11s in Ho Chi Minh City, but we couldn't find them anywhere else in the country. If you're taking your train from Ho Chi Minh City, you can do your overnight sleeper train shopping at 7/11 like we did.
Vietnam Sleeper Train Tips
-Book a soft sleeper private cabin. (If you have a lot of luggage, a 4-berth is better)
-Have a quick dinner before you head to the station.
-Arrive on time. Not too early cause the waiting area is not comfortable unless you want to upgrade for the VIP lounge. Don't come late, the train is always punctual.
-If you're sharing a cabin, get dressed for bed before you board the train.
-Pack all the above things in a backpack.
-Charge all your electronics beforehand. In case some outlets may not work.
-Bring a power bank and earphones.
-Have your boarding pass PDF saved on your phone.
-Use the loo as soon as you get on the train.
-Avoid drinking too much.
-Wear your socks while inside the cabin, and always wear a slipper or shoes when leaving the cabin.
-Sanitizer and wet wipes are your saviour.
-Carry changed cash for onboard food purchases
-If you're starting your journey midway, your cabin may have been used by a previous passenger and might not be as clean. Bring a bed liner and a pillowcase for extra comfort, and give the surfaces a quick wipe-down before settling in.
-Make sure you have a strong signal; there's no WIFI onboard.
-Keep track of your journey on Google Maps. While the train staff will knock on your door when your stop is near, it’s always best to stay alert.
This may all look overwhelming; trust me, I did feel so too, before the ride, but don't stress. It's actually a fun experience, and you'll love it!
Wrapping Up;
So, there you go! Everything you need to know about your Vietnam Sleeper Train journey before you book. We hope this article helps you, and we wish you an amazing experience as well.
If you've already been on a sleeper train journey in Vietnam, let us know your experience in the comments below!
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